Central District

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Written by Kissimmee Elks

On Feb. 6, Kissimmee Elks Lodge #1873 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud, Florida. The church sponsors "Bags of Love" two days a week, where those experiencing homelessness receive a bag of nonperishable items and a hot meal. Counseling and clothing are also available. On Sunday, the church rotates with four other churches to offer a hot meal through Elmer's Kitchen Ministry. The church also provided cold-weather housing and food during a recent string of cooler weather. Some of the monies are also being used to purchase a commercial refrigerator.

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Written by John Gudavich, PDD

On Dec. 14, members of Aripeka Elks Lodge #2520 hosted a Christmas party for more than 200 children in foster care under the guidance of the Guardian ad Litem program in New Port Richey, Florida. These children have been removed from their families for a variety of reasons and placed in a foster home with a family to care for them. The lodge’s main hall was decorated for the event. Lodge members and members of the Guardian ad Litem program donated toys for all the children, and all 35 bicycles were purchased by the lodge. Lodge members also provided every child and sponsor with food and drinks during the party. Santa Claus even made an appearance to greet the children which was a great hit!

Pictured are all the toys donated by Aripeka Lodge members for children in foster care.

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Written by Zephyrhills Elks

Zephyrhills Elks participate in many local activities as an opportunity to show the community what they do. One of these was the downtown Halloween parade Oct. 30 called Halloween Howl. Community organizations create floats and this year’s theme was Christmas in Candyland. Members donate candy for Elks to toss to the kids in the crowd.

Pictured in the float are Ceil Muldroon as the Lollipop Queen, Dorothy Sollmann as Princess Lollipop's cousin and David Moyer, PER as Elroy the Elk/King Candy. He walked around talking to the kids about drug prevention. 

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Written by Zephyrhills Elks

On Oct. 29, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 member Barbara Conklin, Leading Knight and Membership Chair, and her committee members organized a trunk-or-treat event held in the lodge parking lot. Several cars were decorated and there were more than 100 kids in costume. Members donated the candy to pass out to the kids and talked with the parents about what the Elks do for the kids and the community. The also passed out applications and literature. Pictured by a decorated vehicle is member Cindy Pinto.

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Written by Zephyrhills Elks

On Dec. 15, Zephyrhills Lodge hosted a party for community members with special needs. Some attended from Angel Home, a group home where they reside. Lodge member Dorothy Sollmann had a budget of $500 partially raised from lodge members and bingo players. Attendees are greeted with Christmas music from DJ Marc Reed from Tunes 4 You Entertainment, who donates his time gleefully. The partygoers are served hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, ice cream and punch. They can also feast on the many donated cookies. After lunch, Santa makes a visit, talks to them, and gives them stockings with all sorts of goodies and a stuffed animal, donated by Ken Fabiani, PER, lodge Veterans chair. Many enjoy the dancing on the dance floor the best. Pictured are Santa (Jay Klamer, PER), Alona Gibner and Dorothy Sollmann.