Development Director

Welcome, fall 2024! We had a great summer, but I know many of us are ready for cooler temperatures. Time never seems to slow down, especially when you are an Elk! With all that we as Elks do, we are living the motto of our State President, Russ Smith — “Exemplifying Elkdom!” Congratulations to all of you for making this happen and making the Elks proud!

As the holidays are quickly approaching, we still have many things that will be happening around the state. Below are important dates that you will want to mark on your calendar. We have the midyear convention at the St. Petersburg Bayfront Hilton Nov. 14-16. It is an exciting time to meet and mingle with Elks from around the state and learn the latest information that will be helpful to take back to your lodges.

The sixth annual Walgreens/Elks Community Gift Drive Nov. 15 through Dec. 15 will also be gearing up and the Elks will again be in 228 stores from Tampa Bay to Naples. There were minor changes this year to Walgreens areas that participate, but even with the changes, this drive has always been and will continue to be successful. All participating lodges within the assigned areas have been notified of the stores in their area for pickups. We are in communication with our Walgreens liaison to continue to add more stores and locations to participate and this has become a great partnership!

Florida Elks Charities has hosted the annual Unmasking Autism Gala for the last four years to help raise awareness and funds for children with ASD. At our last gala, it was announced that our autism initiative that we have worked toward was approved — Florida Elks for Autism. Many families have been on a waitlist, some up to two years, for their child to be evaluated for autism. Florida Elks for Autism will test 10 children per quarter and Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services patients will receive priority when it comes to testing. Just like our therapy services, this is at no cost to the family. Testing is at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in the Smith Conference Center, where a testing room has been created. The lobby has a game area for older children and a toy station for younger children to use during the time that they are not in testing. We offer accommodations and meals while the families are there. The families are overwhelmed and so grateful for this service that has been extended to them.

The fifth annual Unmasking Autism Gala — Celebrate Florida Elks for Autism (Firework) — will be April 26, 2025, at the beautiful St. Petersburg Bayfront Hilton, beginning at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour followed by dinner at 7 p.m. We will also have another original live painting done by one of the original Highwaymen artists, Alfred Black, which will be auctioned off to help raise funds for children with ASD. This is a black-tie event with a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, guest speakers, silent and live auctions, and a chance to network with others in our communities and fellow Elks. This is a fun-filled exciting event and will be emceed by Channel 28’s news anchor Wendy Ryan. Join us and learn more about raising awareness and acceptance of children with autism and help us to provide testing for those in need. The theme for this year is “Firework,” which represents that these children can shine and show their potential. If you cannot attend the gala, please help your lodge and Florida Elks Charities by purchasing a wooden infinity ribbon. We will be asking each lodge to sell 20 wooden infinity ribbons for a suggested donation of $5 or more for this statewide fundraiser and to help support the new Florida Elks program, Florida Elks for Autism. All proceeds from this fundraiser and the gala will be used to fund this new program to help children with ASD. All Elks are invited to join. Your ticket purchase will be helping children with ASD. The sooner a child is diagnosed, the better chance they have to reach their developmental goals. Let’s get our contest started between lodges as we have done in the past to show that your lodge supports and will help to raise awareness for children with ASD!

Other notable dates:

February Quarterly — Feb. 6-8, 2025 — Florida Elks Youth Camp

Officer Training — March 14-16, 2025 — Rosen Centre in Orlando
All lodge officers are encouraged to attend!

Your efforts as Florida Elks continue to exemplify your commitment to community service and supporting others in need. What a powerful reflection of “Exemplifying Elkdom!” God bless you and your families!

Dan Masi

Development Director