South District

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Written by Miami Elks

On Dec. 5, Miami Lodge donated $3,000 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Sylvia Padron and her ballet dance team at Arthur and Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts in Goulds, Florida.

Pictured are Clara Vust; Sylvia Padron; Sharon Weiss, lodge member; Bill Bang, PER, Exalted Ruler; Arian Gomez, Leading Knight, and members of the ballet dance team.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

Florida Keys Lodge utilized its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to hold its annual children’s holiday party Dec. 10. More than 100 children and their families were treated to lunch and a magic show by magician Michael Trixx. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived with a huge red bag full of gifts and goody bags for each child. It was a wonderful day full of volunteers providing fun for their community.

Pictured are Santa and Mrs. Claus (lodge RV managers Jim and Terri Fowler).

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

Florida Keys Lodge presented Pastor Kerry Foote of the Burton Memorial Church in Tavernier, Florida, with a $2,000 donation from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to assist with purchasing goods for their food pantry, which is frequently visited by those still affected by the COVID pandemic. Pastor Foote thanked the Lodge and stated that “the holidays are a crucial time to come together as a community and help one another.” Lodge members frequently volunteer at the church to assist with the food pantry and on Wednesdays for the free dinners held at the church.

Pictured are Pastor Kerry Foote and Brenda Cockrell, PER, lodge grant coordinator.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

On Nov. 17, Florida Keys Lodge presented a $2,500 check to Coral Shores High School using funds from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The donation is for the student food pantry program. Like other communities throughout the country, this community continues to be affected by the COVID pandemic and other long-term health issues from having the virus. Some parents work two jobs or receive small unemployment benefits, which often do not cover the rising cost of groceries to feed their families. Some businesses have closed and parents lost their jobs and do not qualify for benefits. The donation will allow school project volunteers to purchase nonperishable food items in bulk for their students in need. The pantry is open to all high school students. Students may come by the pantry before morning classes to get protein breakfast bars, fruit cups or juice. Many students also stop in at lunchtime. Teachers are volunteering their time to assist as needed. The main purpose of the student food pantry is directed at students whose families are facing food insecurity. These students sometimes take care of their younger siblings while their parents are working two jobs and face barriers to grocery shopping. This program allows students to take home a backpack with enough food for weekend meals. Kids sign up to receive a backpack through the administration office and pick it up on Friday afternoons. Students return backpacks on Monday and have the option of signing up for the following week. Currently there are more than 25 children signed up to receive these meals. There are several dozen more students who drop in before class or lunchtime. Volunteers also supply students with easy-to-prepare nutritional recipes and words of encouragement in each bag.

Pictured are Brenda Cockrell, PER, lodge grant coordinator, and Laura Lietaert, Coral Shores High School principal.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

Ray Lozano, CEO of Prevention Plus, spoke to nearly 1,800 students in sixth through 12th grades along with parents, adults, teachers, administration members and Florida Keys Elks Lodge members. Lozano brought his knowledge and humor to the stage and educated the audience on the dangers of vaping, marijuana, THC, and addiction and the impact they have on our bodies and minds during this three-day event. Since 1986, Ray Lozano has educated and entertained thousands of students in hundreds of middle schools and high schools from Alaska to Florida as well as the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. These presentations were made possible by State Drug Awareness Chair, Denny Tarbell, PDD, Florida Keys Lodge member.

Pictured are Ray Lozano; Denny Tarbell, PDD; Helen Garcia, Key West Lodge Secretary; and Richard Judge, Key West lodge trustee.

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