South Southwest District

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Written by Rich Kampf

During the last two weeks in April on four occasions (April 21, 24, 28 and 30), a combination of 13 lodge officers from Cape Coral Elks Lodge #2596 spent $2,300 of their Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant on food and other necessities at several stores including Walmart, Publix, Winn-Dixie and Restaurant Depot. They then delivered the items to the Cape Coral Caring Center, a food pantry, for distribution. They also stayed to assist in handing out the food to those in need. Because of the coronavirus, the lodge members put food in trunks of cars for the recipients so there was no contact that way. The pantry weighed the food that the Elks delivered as a matrix for their inventory; the total was more than 2,800 pounds of food. The main group of shoppers each trip included Rich Kampf, Exalted Ruler; Ken Kovach, board of directors chair; Kathleen Kovach, Treasurer; Ed Broderick, Secretary; Jim Fraser, Leading Knight; and Mary Ellis, PER. Pictured in the first picture April 21 at the pantry are Julie Ferguson, Cape Coral Caring Center Director, and Rich Kampf, Kathleen Kovach, Ken Kovach and Jim Fraser. The second picture is also from April 21 and shows Rich Kampf; Patti Kampf, House Committee member; and Julie Ferguson.

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Written by Deep Creek Elks

On March 3, the Charlotte County Commissioners proclaimed March as Officer Lou Henyecz Month. Deputy First Class Lou Henyecz of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is a member of Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 and assists in coordinating the lodge’s annual shopping trip to Walmart with the children from Genesis House Homeless Shelter. The lodge uses its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to provide clothing, shoes, school supplies and backpacks. Officer Lou always enjoys interacting with the children. He works in community policing and serves on the board of The Homeless Coalition.

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Written by Christine Horn

On March 2, Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 donated $1,000 to support Project Phoenix in its continuing endeavors to help those in need. Since 2012, Bobbi Sue Burton, founder, and her team of volunteers have provided numerous families with assistance that would not have been available if it wasn't for Project Phoenix. Run strictly by community volunteers, the project in Englewood, Florida, provides many services to the community, but the main objective is to collect and distribute new and gently used household items to assist area families and individuals who are in need for a variety of reasons and to help them make a fresh start and allow them to rebuild their households. If Project Phoenix collects items that cannot be used to assist an individual or family in need, they may put the item for sale in their resale shop and use the proceeds for operating expenses or to purchase items that clients need which are not in stock. Pictured is Jean Humphreys, Exalted Ruler, presenting the check to Bill Werner, Project Phoenix volunteer.

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Written by Tim Pohto

On Jan. 22, Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 held a first responders award banquet for the Punta Gorda Police and Fire departments. Lt. Alex Davenport of the fire department was awarded Firefighter of the Year and Officer Jesse Richards of the police department was awarded Officer of the Year. The lodge was later informed that Officer Richards had been awarded the Enrique Camarena Award by the Florida State Elks Association.

On Feb. 11, the Punta Gorda PER Association held a spaghetti dinner and raised $2,735 through ticket sales for the Harry-Anna Trust Fund which benefits Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services and the Florida Elks Youth Camp. On Feb. 18, Punta Gorda Lodge held the 13th annual bocce tournament and raised $885 for Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services through ticket sales. The annual lobsterfest was held Feb. 19 which raised $7,833 also through ticket sales which will be used for local charities and scholarships. For these events, 50/50 raffles were also held along with lottery boards to raise funds.

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Written by Joann Sutton

On Oct. 3, the Past Exalted Rulers Association of Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 donated $500 to the Punta Gorda Police Department’s Jammers Basketball League. The lodge will have its name on the uniforms and the Elks logo on the police van.

On Oct. 8, the Punta Gorda Lodge Past Exalted Rulers Association held their 30th Octoberfest. Over 300 meals were served to members and guests by 38 volunteers. The proceeds of $2,644 were donated to the Florida Elks Youth Camp and the Harry-Anna Trust Fund.

On Dec. 1, Punta Gorda Lodge hosted its annual Christmas party with proceeds of $1,400 being donated to CARE (Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies) in Port Charlotte, Fla.

With funds from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, Punta Gorda Lodge donated food to replenish the shelves of the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s pantry. The society delivered Christmas dinner baskets to 150 local families.

On Dec. 14,^, members of Punta Gorda Lodge assisted the Punta Gorda Police Department in hosting a Christmas party for foster families at the Punta Gorda Methodist Church. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings was served to the 165 foster parents and children in attendance. Santa Claus brought gifts for all the children as well as family gift bags. Gifts were purchased with funds from the state president’s grant as well as donations received from an anonymous donor.