South Southwest District

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Written by Diane Hendrick

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On Oct. 22, the Fort Myers Ladies of Elks donated $500 to the City of Palms Youth Choir. Founded in 2016, the choir provides an opportunity for young singers in southwest Florida to enhance their choral education beyond school and church programs. Donations such as this one allow the choir to continue its approach to rehearsing and performing high-quality treble and mixed voice choral pieces.

Pictured are Connie Laubenthal, Ladies Secretary; Sophia Brook, choir board member and singer; Kathy Lake, Ladies President; Matt Koller, artistic director, City of Palms Youth Choir and Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers; and Els Bunkens, Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers Board of Directors chair.

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Written by Jack Upton

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On Sept. 8, Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 held the fourth annual Tunnel to Towers benefit. The event raised $4,875, and the lodge matched some of this, bringing the total donations to $9,875. This exceeded last year's donations by more than $5,000.

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Written by Judy Hopkins, PER

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Greater Pine Island Elk Judy Hopkins, PER, South Southwest District Deputy, baked and sold cookies at the lodge's Show Me the Money nights, held July 17 to Sept. 11 at the VFW Post 4353 while their new lodge is being built. The lodge has contributed $1,000 from the cookies sales to the Elks National Foundation.

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Written by Naples Elks

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On Sept. 11, Naples Elks Lodge #2010 hosted a 9/11 observance ceremony to honor the lives lost in the 2001 attacks and recognize the ongoing service of local first responders, including members of EMT, fire rescue and the sheriff’s office. The ceremony opened with a prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, national anthem, presentation of colors and the lowering of the flag to half-staff. Member Billy Gray delivered a speech titled “What 9/11 Means to Me.” Challenge coins were presented to first responders for their service. The lodge presented a $2,500 donation to The Brotherhood Ride in support of their mission to honor fallen first responders who have died in the line of duty. The ride raises funds for the surviving families. The event concluded with a continental breakfast.

Pictured are Andrew Van Helden, EMT; Connie Diarro, Battalion Chief; Jonathan Maguire, EMT; Matt Dew and Billy Cipriano, firefighters; Sam Roberts, member and Elks trustee; and Aaron Asher, Mark Benedict, and PER Jeff Morse, firefighters.

Also pictured are Rae Frey and Gerri Massey, members; Holly Ludwig, Exalted Ruler; PER Jeff Morse, Brotherhood Ride founder and president; Billy Gray, member; and Brett Binder, Tiler.

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Written by Rotonda Elks

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On April 19, Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 held a fundraising golf tournament at Rotonda Palms Golf Course for two local causes. The tournament raised $15,819. A donation of $5,819 was given to Charlie’s CRT (Community Response Team). Their mission is to provide assistance in emergencies, such as hurricanes. They deliver food and water and they help with cleaning up debris after a storm. Pictured with this donation are John Blanchette, member; Ed Toth, PER; and Debbie Hargrove, PDD, Exalted Ruler.

A donation of $10,000 was also given to the Homeless Coalition, which serves 300 meals per week to veterans experiencing homelessness in Charlotte County. Pictured with this donation are Ed Toth, PER; Tina Figliuolo and Lisa Pervin, Homeless Coalition representatives; John Blanchette, member; and Debbie Hargrove, PDD, Exalted Ruler.