South District

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

On June 8, Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 held its 10th annual Ladies Dolphin Tournament, presented by Stormtech Restoration, with 83 anglers aboard 31 boats. Lodge member Dianne Harbaugh was the tournament director. Winners were determined by the combined weight of three fish. Anglers Robyn Frick and Sherri Santese of Tavernier fishing with Aimee Anderson from Key Largo won first place, at 17.6 pounds. First-place tiaras and trophies, sponsored by Upper Keys Marine Construction, and bouquets of flowers from Key Largo Florist were awarded to the winners along with a large travel bag full of prizes from local merchants and $3,000. Captain Brian Barrus of the Gone Fishing in Key Largo received a pasta print and Mate JR took home a new fishing rod and reel, sponsored by Townsend Plumbing. Santese’s 10.3 pound dolphin was the largest of the tournament, netting her a $1,000 check along with a Depaula Jewelers gold sailfish pendant and another bouquet of flowers. Second place trophies sponsored by Miller Recreation and North Miami Motorsports went to anglers Ashley Fernandez and Elizabeth Keeskes from Key Largo and Mari Cortez of Tavernier, at 17.2 pounds. The team took home a travel bag full of items donated by local businesses and $1,500. Top Junior angler, 15-year-old Victoria Puente from Miami, fishing with Captain Jim Puente and Mark Aiken on the Bottom Line, weighed in a 3.8 pound fish to take home the David Wirth circle hook trophy and a tiara. Prizes packages and trophies were awarded to the top 10 teams. The event included a raffle and silent auction as well, with items from the community. The event raised more than $50,000, which will be used to support Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services, the Florida Elks Youth Camp, the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, the Elks National Foundation, local school lunch and snack programs, student achievement awards, veterans’ trips abroad, Vets on the Water, and many other local needs.

Pictured are first place winners, lodge members Robyn Frick and Sherri Santese; second place winners Ashley Fernandez, Elizabeth Keeskes and Mari Cortez; and Top Junior angler, Victoria Puente.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 used its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to donate backpacks and school supplies to more than 300 students in the Upper Keys at two events. On July 22, the lodge gave out the backpacks and supplies at the Upper Keys back-to-school event at Founders Park in Islamorada, Florida. On Aug. 1, the lodge participated in the National Night Out, held at the lodge, along with the Drug Awareness State Chair, Denny Tarbell, PDD. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a sense of community. Both events were well attended.

Pictured are lodge members Mike Maxwell, lodge chef, and Brenda Cockrell, lodge grants coordinator, at the Upper Keys event. Pictured at the National Night Out are Frank Veltri, Exalted Ruler; Brenda Cockrell; and Denny Tarbell, PDD.

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Written by Miami Elks

On May 17, Miami Elks Lodge #948 donated $1,500 to Protect the Paws, an organization that purchases bulletproof vests for area K-9 officers. This gift will armor two Florida International University Police explosive detection K-9s.

Kathe Holmes of Protect the Paws; members Ned Smith, Sharon Weiss, Tim Brockland, Jeff Muehlfeld, Mayda Herrera, Bill Bang, Arian Gomez, Jose Morin, Tony Sellers, Linda Perricone, Adolfo Dominguez, and Gilbert Serein; and Nancy Hoyle of Protect the Paws presented the check to Officer Lance Monaco and K-9 Nitro from the FIU Police Department.

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Written by Key West Elks

On May 18, Key West Elks Lodge #551 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Kids Come First, an organization that provides students with shoes, clothes, backpacks and afternoon snacks; helps them improve their self-image among their peers; and guides them with the tools they need to assist in their education.

Pictured are Koleen Bethel, vice president of Kids Come First, and Dennis Wardlow, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

On March 8, Florida Keys Lodge donated $2,000 from its Florida State Elks Association matching grant money for receiving the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to PKS School. The money will be used for kids' snacks.

Pictured are Sherill Tarbell, Leading Knight; Kim Youngblood, chaplain; and Lori Taylor, principal.