Forida Elks Children's Therapy Services

Happy 2025! 2024 was, once again, an incredible year for Therapy Services. We treated more than 650 children each week. This is only possible because we have 32 of the most amazing therapists.

As we say “hello” to 2025, we say “happy retirement” to Deborah Hall, who officially retired from FECTS Dec. 18, after 37+ years. Deborah started at FSEA Sept. 11, 1987, and if you know Deb, she is one of the most hardworking and loyal people you will ever work with. Deb has a heart of gold and will be missed by all of us. Over the years, she has worked in payroll, accounts receivable and payable, and membership quota, and she has worked many state conventions. Most recently, Deb has worked for FECTS in administration, doing her best to keep the 32 therapists and me straight — obviously a full-time job! Deb, thank you for all your years of service; your dedication to FSEA and FECTS is immeasurable. You have made such a huge difference in all our lives, and we are all incredibly grateful to you. Enjoy your retirement; we are really going to miss you!

A special thank you goes to the lodges that donated funds for our therapists to purchase gifts for their patients and families as well as the lodges that had Christmas parties in several districts.

As you all know, our therapists do wonderful work with the children they treat. These families continue to report that the therapists have so positively impacted not only the patient’s life but the lives of the entire family. Whenever I have an opportunity to meet or speak with patients’ families, they have nothing but good to say. So, to our therapists, thank you for the work you do with these children, making their world a better place for them and their families.
We had a great midyear convention this year. Nikki Guarino, occupational therapist, spoke at the major projects meeting and did a great job of sharing the many things she does with her patients.

Each year, the Past State President wives, along with several friends, donate two $25 gift cards for our patients. Also, our friends at the Gainesville Garden Club send us gift cards for our patients. With these gift cards, we were able to distribute 123 gift cards to our families in need. In addition to the gift cards, our therapists can purchase each of their patients a gift for Christmas. Many of our lodges send additional Christmas funds for the purchase of gifts and we sincerely appreciate it.

Once again, I would like to say thank you to the Northwest District PER Association. Each year they work with their therapist, Elizabeth Maina, to purchase warm coats for our patients. This is a tremendous help to our families in the cold Northwest District, and we are all grateful for their help.

Two of our FECTS families had an extra special Christmas dinner, thanks to our incredible chef, Victor. Chef Victor prepares full Christmas dinners and delivers the meals to two of our very special families. Victor, thank you for going above and beyond for our special families. We really appreciate you.

This past year, we had the most successful Unmasking Autism Gala, thanks to Dan Masi, Casey Masi and the entire gala committee. The entire event was incredible. You have helped bring so much attention to Therapy Services and children with autism, not only in the area where the gala is held but throughout our state. Our lodges are already getting excited about our 2025 fifth anniversary gala. Thank you, all, for your hard work and dedication to Therapy Services.

As we close out 2024 and welcome 2025, I would like to thank our board of directors: Keith Eppes, PDD, president; Erika Barger, Esquire, legal advisor; and members Bill Dryburgh, PDD, vice president; Tom Brand, PDD; Andrew Hillhouse, PER; Rose Wujcik, PER; Gordon Ellery Jr., PDD; Marge Spera, PDD; Donna Powers, PDD; Joanne Matos, PDD; Richard Bardsley, PDD; Etta J. “Jeannie” Platt, DVP; Reginaldo Hernandez, PER; Luis Oms Sr., PDD; and Don Padget, PER. We are blessed to have Sean Maguire, PSP as our PSP Advisor. Sean, thank you for your help and guidance as well as always being available when we need you. A special thank you goes to our amazing therapists and Deborah Hall and Cristin Rumler. Working with each of you makes me so proud to represent our Florida Elks as the Director of Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services.

At FSEA, we have an amazing staff of people who work well together to help the Florida State Elks shine. This cannot be accomplished without an incredible leader. Thank you, Carl Seibert, COO/State Secretary, for all you do for your entire staff. We wish you well in your move to Chicago as Grand Secretary. You will be missed!

On behalf of Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services, I would like to wish each of you a Happy New Year. Make 2025 the best!

Thank you for all your continued support!

Colleen Gallant