South Southwest District

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Written by Ambrose Yelovich, PER

In 2021, Punta Gorda Lodge partnered with OneBlood and held six blood drives coordinated by Ambrose Yelovich, PER, lodge chaplain, who happens to be a 25 gallon, 2 pint super donor. The drives garnered 134 units of blood, which can save 402 lives. There were 226 volunteer hours donated at a value of $5,455.64 and 3,080 volunteer miles traveled at a value of $1,694. In honor of this milestone, OneBlood presented a certificate of appreciation for all the lodge donors, accepted by Yelovich.

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Written by Punta Gorda Elks

On Nov. 2, Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 donated $1,000 from its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to the Jesus Loves You Ministry mobile outreach program for those experiencing homelessness. The program delivers meals, clothing and portable showers into the homeless community. Pictured are Walter LaCombe, Exalted Ruler; Ashley Brantley, Jesus Loves You Ministry social services director; and Ambrose Yelovich, lodge chaplain.

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Written by Deep Creek Elks

On August 3rd, members of Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 took eight children from the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition shopping. Each child received school clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies. This was accomplished with $1,600 from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Assisting with the shopping were Peggie Sue Dygert, Loyal Knight; Cheri Usowicz, Tiler; Kay Neilley, PDD, treasurer; Carol Aitchison, Lecturing Knight; Officer Lou Henycz, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and lodge member; Bill Flecken, PER, lodge trustee, and his wife, Kathleen; Linda Bass, wife of Truman Bass; and Truman Bass, PDD, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Butch Bass, PDD

Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 donated $2,250 from its charity fund to the Charlotte Warriors football and cheerleading program in Charlotte County, Florida. Of this, $1,500 was given to the Charlotte Warriors Pop Warner football program to help pay for equipment and to help the children who cannot afford to pay the participation fee, $250 was given to the Charlotte Warriors cheerleaders to help purchase uniforms and to help pay participation fees, and $500 was given to replace the press box, which was destroyed during Hurricane Charlie. They have been using a cargo shipping box for a press box. To thank the lodge for their gracious donation, the Charlotte Warriors football team and cheerleaders presented them with a banner, which will be displayed at all home games. There is also large plaque on the new press box noting Deep Creek Elks Lodge as a supporter. Pictured Sept. 4 at the football stadium in Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda, Florida, are Truman Bass, PDD, Exalted Ruler, and Carlos Mercedes, Isabella Rochow, John McCullough and Gavin Ellis.

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Written by David Lake, PSP

On Aug. 24, Fort Myers Lodge members David Lake, PSP and Roger Spencer, Exalted Ruler, presented 100 comfort pillows and five crocheted baby blankets to Michelle Leonard of the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida at their offices. This organization is the private, nonprofit lead agency that administers the child welfare system in five southwest Florida counties. Their mission is to work with the community to protect children and preserve families. Charity Works donated the pillows to the Florida State Elks Association to be distributed to children in need. The blankets were made and donated by Gail Mascari, a lodge member and a past President of the lodge’s Ladies of Elks organization.