South Southwest District

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Written by Joann Sutton

The South Southwest District Past Exalted Rulers sponsored a spaghetti dinner hosted by Punta Gorda Lodge Sunday, Sept. 10, to benefit Ron Rehner who has been afflicted with a life-threatening ailment. He is the son-in-law of Don (deceased) and Colleen Roll. Don Roll was the first Exalted Ruler of Punta Gorda Lodge and his daughter is Jacquie Rehner, SWC District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler and ENF grants coordinator. In addition to proceeds from the dinner, raffles and donations including $250 from the Punta Gorda Elkettes, a check in the amount of $4,500 was presented to help with medical bills.

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Written by Judy Hopkins

Greater Pine Island Lodge honored the anniversary of Sept. 11 by preparing and delivering a lasagna dinner to their neighboring first responders.

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Written by Christine Horn

Using an Elks National Foundation grant, Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 sponsored its first children's shop-with-firefighters/first responders event. A group of children from kindergarten through seventh grade gathered at Walmart to shop for Father’s Day with members from the lodge and firefighters and first responders from the Englewood Area Fire Control District Station 71. They helped the children select gifts for their fathers.

The firefighters took time to explain fire safety in the home, safety in the pool, helped children consider a fire plan in the event of a house fire and demonstrated how they put on their gear. Two hook and ladder trucks were available for the children to walk through. The kids were thrilled and had many questions.

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Written by Richard Kampf

Cape Coral Elks Lodge #2596 held a 5K run and open house June 2 which raised $2,000 for Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services. The open house also generated 31 new member applications. The donation was presented to Colleen Gallant, FECTS Director, by Patti and ER Richard Kampf at the national convention in San Antonio in July. Pictured at the 5K are therapist, Jeanne Martin; therapy patient, Alex Collazo; Alex’s mother, Elizabeth Pineda; trustee, Jim Fraser, and his wife, Kate, who were the 5K organizers; and Richard Kampf, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Judy Hopkins

Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge #2781 used its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant of $2,000 to support the Beacon Bites program. In November 2016, the Beacon of Hope created a program, Beacon Bites, to deliver freshly made lunches to low-income and disabled seniors on Pine Island. Island Café is preparing the meals for this program and community volunteers deliver the meals and check on the seniors during the week. Frozen meals are delivered on Saturday for the weekend meals.

“The Elks National Foundation through its Gratitude Grant is providing us with the opportunity to give back to our community,” says Exalted Ruler, Judy Hopkins. “It is our way of helping to build a stronger community. By partnering with the Beacon of Hope we can provide additional meals to those in need on the island. We want  to serve our community in ways that will raise the lodge's profile, energize our membership, encourage former members to return to the fold and gain the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that is doing big things.”

Pictured are Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge representative, Lee Wilbur, and members George Yorkston, Gerry Goyette, Ed Pfister and Frank Virts presenting a check to Beacon representative Peggy Hoffrogge for $2,000.