South District

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Written by Key West Elks

On Feb. 29, Key West Elks Lodge #551 brought residents of the Key West Convalescent Center together for music, food and beverages to celebrate Leap Year. Lodge Esquire, Fredy Varela, prepared the Cuban mixed sandwiches. They had a great time including their staff. The residents enjoyed the familiar sounds of music from the 1950s and 1960s. The lodge also provided a teddy bear to each of the 75 attendees. Pictured are Natalie Castaldo, Lodge Secretary; Burnette Hardin, volunteer; Elizabeth Ignoffo, Inner Guard; Mary Wheeler, Exalted Ruler; Bob Reber, volunteer; and Helen Garcia, South District Deputy.

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Written by Kathleen Delores

Miami Elks Lodge #948 adopted six families in need in the Miami area this holiday season and treated them to a Christmas party at the lodge Dec. 14 as part of a Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign. Along with the lodge’s $1,500 set aside for this event, additional funds were received from South Dade Lighting, a showroom in Miami. On Dec. 2, they donated $2,600 to the lodge after a member informed them of all the charitable things the Elks do for children and veterans. Many times, lodge members give donations of money or food if the lodge doesn’t have enough money, but that wasn’t necessary this year thanks to this gift. The business collected money from customers by giving them a discount and they let them know that this extra discount would be given to the Elks. The lodge gave the children in each family presents and the families received Publix gift cards. Frankie’s Pizza owned by lodge members donated pizzas at half price for the party. Members made brownies and bought Christmas cookies. The invited families were suggested by Dade County social workers who deemed them the most needy. In the past, the lodge had a Christmas party for members’ children, but they made the decision to host this party for these families instead who otherwise would not have had a Christmas.

Pictured are Maria Mila, general manager of South Dade Lighting; Nancy Carr, chairman of Miami Lodge’s board; Frank Reynolds, Exalted Ruler; and Don Elliott, president of South Dade Lighting, as the business presents Miami Lodge with $2,600 to use for their six adopted families this holiday season.

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Written by Ruth Huenniger

On Dec. 14, Florida Keys Lodge had their children’s Christmas party. The Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant makes this possible every year. Each year the event gets better with decorating cookies, playing games, crafting, a magic show, pictures with Santa and lunch. There were approximately 80 kids as well as the parents attending. Coral Shores High School students volunteered their time as did lodge members.

Magician Michael Trixx is pictured with Julia Baizs during the lodge’s children’s Christmas party Dec. 14.

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Written by Ruth Huenniger

Thanks to the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, Florida Keys Lodge presented a check for $2,000 Dec. 12 at the lodge to Coral Shores High School for their fund for students in need. This fund was created to help purchase items needed for students such as eyeglasses, shoes, and graduation and prom attire. Pictured are school representatives Anna Alvaro and Kristy Bedell accepting the check from Exalted Ruler, Denny Tarbell.

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Written by Ruth Huenniger

Using some of their Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant funds, Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 spent Dec. 10 celebrating Christmas with clients from MARC. According to marchouse.org, “The Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens is a non-profit agency that serves adult clients within Monroe County who have developmental disabilities that include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and traumatic brain injury sustained prior to age 18.” Santa (Tim Hartnett) gave gifts, Christmas carols were sung and there was music for dancing. A luncheon of ham, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and dessert was served.