South District

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Written by Kathleen Delores

On Oct. 18, Miami Elks Lodge #948 held a presentation for Wheelchairs 4 Kids. Lonnie and Madeline Robinson, the founders of this organization, work in conjunction with Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services therapists who visit children in their homes and administer treatment. They are aware of kids who are in need of wheelchairs and ask for the lodge's help in securing them because their parents cannot afford them. The Elks presented a wheelchair to 15-year-old Julian who has cerebral palsy with spastic diplegia and a gait trainer to 15-year-old Jose who has cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia. Their faces and their parents' faces lit up at the presentation. Julian immediately looked comfortable in his up-to-date custom-made wheelchair. Jose, who can only stand with support on both sides, has been wheelchair-bound. The gait trainer enabled him to move his legs and walk with the support of his new apparatus. He smiled and moved around the lodge dining room with ease, and when asked if he was happy, he said "yes, now I can walk with my friends at school." Through members' time and effort volunteering at lodge charity events, members are able to change people's lives for the better.

Pictured at Miami Lodge’s Wheelchairs 4 Kids presentation Oct. 18 are Scott McGowan, Custom Mobility rep; Jose Ricardo Sanchez in his new gait trainer; Patricia Avila; Julian Lopez in his new wheelchair; Daniel Heidenreich, Julian's father; Mallerly Romero, Julian's mother; and Lonnie Robinson, Wheelchairs 4 Kids board member. Lodge officers Will Garzitz, Nancy Carr, Al Reker, Kathy Held and Frank Reynolds are pictured in the back row.

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Written by Ruth Huenniger

Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 held their soccer shoot Nov. 10. First-place winners were Chloe Kessler, U-8 girls; Wyatt Meyers, U-8 boys; Sophia Barry, U-10 girls; Jacob Pickering, U-10 boys; Xol Placencia, U-12 boys; and Jackson Harrington, U-14 boys. These six winners advanced to the regional soccer shoot.

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Written by Miami Elks

At their general meeting Wednesday, Sept. 5, Miami Elks Lodge #948 honored Hunter Reker as its Student of the Month for September. He is currently a junior at Terra Environmental High School in Miami. TERRA Environmental Research Institute is a secondary public school and is a LEED certified high school. The school has three magnet academies: Biomedical Research, Robotics & Engineering, and Environmental Research. Hunter’s field of study is Engineering. This past summer he worked at the Florida Elks Youth Camp as a counselor-in-training after attending many previous summers as a camper. Hunter’s grandfather is Albert Reker, PDD, Lodge Advisor.

Miami Lodge’s Student of the Month, Hunter Reker, is pictured with PDD Al Reker, Tim Reker, Barbara Reker and Kelly Reker.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

Florida Keys Lodge had a good crowd at their Flag Day ceremony with Boy Scout Troop 912, the Tavernier Fire Department, members and friends. After the ceremony and flag retirements, members and guests dined on hot dogs and hamburgers on the patio.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 awarded $7,000 for 2018 scholarships. U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms Stephen Dombroski Ferguson presented the awards to Lorena Perez, Angelle Kelly, Julie Prieto and Jeffrey King. Ferguson previously attended Coral Shores High School and is the grandson of members Dan and Jane Ferguson.