South Southwest District

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Written by Jack Upton

Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 hosted its third annual Tunnel to Towers charity benefit Sept. 10. Since 9/11, TtoT has been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. They are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to never forget Sept. 11, 2001. Generous donations were received from local businesses and individuals. The event included a 50/50 drawing, raffles and five silent auctions. Meals were given to all active or retired first responders and active military or veterans at no cost to them. The event raised $2,451, which the lodge agreed to match as well as the cost of the donated food. This brought the lodge’s total donation to $5,684.66, which exceeds 2022’s event.

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Written by Teresa Bird

During the FLOE conference Sept. 22-24, the Punta Gorda Elkettes were presented with several awards: sponsoring the most campers at the Florida Elks Youth Camp (15), highest amount donated to the camp ($4,785), supporting state major projects through the 365 Club with a donation of $500, contributing the most money to Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services ($5,500), and receiving second place for the Best Scrapbook.

Pictured are Lynette Dykhouse, Punta Gorda Elkettes Vice President, accepting the award for donating $500 to the 365 Club from Pauline Talbott, new FLOE President.

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Written by Naples Elks

Throughout September, Naples Lodge held a food drive for Marco Island Food Pantry. Antlers members Azine and Lucy Reid helped Brian Kamp, lodge grant coordinator, and member Sam Roberts pack 700 pounds of food and delivered it to the pantry Sept. 29. Nancy McClay, pantry manager, was very appreciative of the effort and the amount of food donated by the Elks.

Pictured with the donations are Arlene Frances, Lodge Secretary; Antler Azine Reid; Kim Lebetz, Lodge Treasurer; and Antler Lucy Reid.

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Written by Teresa Bird

On Aug. 10, Punta Gorda Lodge hosted one of its regular blood drives. The One Blood organization donated a blood drive T-shirt and a $20 gift card to donors. In addition, the lodge donated an Elks Lodge logo T-shirt and a $10 gift certificate to each donor. Members donated 25 pints. Because one pint can save three lives, this drive will help save 75 lives.

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Written by Naples Elks

During the summer, Naples Elks Lodge #2010 partnered with Our Daily Bread Food Pantry on Marco Island in Florida. The lodge donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to them, which was used to supplement any food products that were needed to complete the weekly provision packages. Beginning July 15, the lodge’s youth Antlers group provided volunteers to help on-site multiple days during the hot summer. The Antlers completed whatever tasks they were given, from stacking pantry shelves to scrubbing carts in preparation for the more than 700 families the facility provides food to every Saturday. They proudly wore their Naples Antler shirts and a smile every day they were there.

Pictured are Mike Cory and George Rogers, pantry volunteers; Nancy and Ron McClay, pantry managers; Jeff Hultgren and Matt Basler, pantry volunteers; Lucy Reid, Jacob Schmidt, and Christophe Savoie, Antlers members; and Mike Adamski, PER. Also pictured are the Antlers working with pantry volunteers inside the facility.