Venice-Nokomis Elks Pack Backpacks with School Supplies

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Written by Andrice Nelson

On Aug. 1st, members of Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854 prepared 50 backpacks filled with school supplies for children in need from local schools and the community center. The supplies were donated by members and using a portion of their Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.

Pictured are Sandy Nick, Cathy Grippi, Barbara Jasper, Laura Wood, Sherie Gillum, Mario Grippi, Pat Mazzola, Sue Bucanis, Janet Sasso, Steve Schaefer, Shirley Yawn, Debra Ciccone, Sharon Paganelli, Lori LaBoe, Audrey Riggs, Tony Varone, Suzette Curry.

Doreen Budetti took the group photo. 

Palmetto Elks Partner with Dive into Reading Program

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Written by Jim Hoey

Palmetto Elks Lodge #2449 has been providing community service to children in the local (soon to be statewide) Dive into Reading program. The program is designed to help children in Title I schools from first through third grade raise their reading skills. Sadly, 51% of Manatee County, Fla., children in the third grade cannot read at the third-grade level. These statistics are similar throughout the south Florida Title I school system.

The Anna Maria Oyster Bar piloted this program after they heard the statistics above from school employees and realized that from birth to third grade, we learn to read, and from third grade on, we read to learn. Children who cannot read at grade level after third grade usually do not make it through high school.

In its third year, Dive into Reading has proven to be successful at raising the reading levels of children who participate. The local school system brings children to the restaurant for breakfast with a mentor. The mentors assist the children by reading with and to them from grade level books and having the children read back from the same book. The program runs for one month in June. Children are tested by the school system at the end of the school year and then again at the beginning of the next school year. After attending the program, the results show positive improvement, or at least no loss of reading skills throughout the summer months. Statistically, these children would normally lose up to three months of reading skills during summer break.

Palmetto Elks involvement started at the mentor level. In the second year, the lodge donated over 200 backpacks with school supplies to the attending children. This year, over 400 children attended. The program is growing and other local restaurants are now participating. The Sarasota County school system has also joined the program. Palmetto Lodge has committed to providing an adequate number of backpacks for the program. The lodge is working with other lodges in the district to expand participation.

South Hillsborough Sponsors Regional Hoop Shoot Winner

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Written by South Hillsborough Elks

South Hillsborough Lodge sponsored Samiyah Singleton, a fourth-grade student at Ruskin Elementary School who won the category for girls ages 8-9 in the Florida state Hoop Shoot. Singleton competed at the regional level held in Georgia March 16 and finished in third place.

Pictured with Samiyah Singleton, regional Hoop Shoot third-place winner, are Rebecca Salgado, principal; Izabella Maxwell, coach and teacher; and Roy Gardner, lodge Hoop Shoot chairman.

South Hillsborough Lodge Hosts Prom for Students with Special Needs

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Written by South Hillsborough Elks

On March 9, South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 used their Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to host a prom for students with special needs at the lodge. The students were from Earl L. Lennard High School in Ruskin, Fla. Pizza, wings, cupcakes and soft drinks were served. Over 30 students danced all evening to a DJ with the principal, teachers, family and Elks all joining in the fun.

Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Read and Present Program to Elementary School Students

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Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks

The Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge Community Affairs Committee read “Let’s B Safe” books to 173 first-graders in both Gene Witt and Freedom elementary schools in February. In March, they presented a program to fourth-graders at both schools called Kids on the Block, a puppet show about bullying and stereotypes.

News from Venice-Nokomis Lodge

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Written by Andrice Nelson

Using an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant, Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854 donated $2,000 in food, after-school snacks and a weekend backpack program to a local community civic center for 75 homeless children.

The lodge also donated three bicycles and helmets to a local family whose children needed rides to school.