News Features
The Front Page - State Sponsor's Message
- President's Message
- State Secretary's Message
- Development Director's Message
- Florida Ladies of Elks President’s Message
- Children’s Therapy Services Director’s Message
- Youth Camp Director’s Message
- Our Military & Veterans
- _______________
- DISTRICT NEWS
- Central
- East Central
- North
- North Central
- Northeast
- Northwest
- South
- Southeast
- Southeast Central
- South Southeast
- South Southwest
- Southwest
- Southwest Central
- West Central
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
Share Your Story
We'd love to see & share your Lodge & District Events!
Let's promote what our Florida Elks are doing to support your community
Preserve any person, event, or memory with a personalized brick at your Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Florida.
Learn More
Southwest District
Florida Elks Officers in Southwest District Wear Ugly Sweaters for EFELT
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On Dec. 7, Florida Elks Southwest District officers held an ugly sweater dinner at Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511. They held a fundraiser for EFELT (Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies). Members were asked to bring in cans of tuna fish or jars of peanut butter or donate $5. A total of $347 and two bushels of food were collected.
Pictured are Bradenton Lodge members Julie Delgrosso and Dawn Cunningham preparing for the party.
Venice-Nokomis Elks Support Veterans in Community
- Details
- Written by Venice-Nokomis Elks
Pictured Dec. 14 is Kathryn Bursch of WTSP Channel 10 accepting a $1,000 donation for veterans from Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854 trustee David Vinsh and Cathy Ferney. This is part of an Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and local contributions.
Venice-Nokomis Elks Conduct Food Drive for Salvation Army
- Details
- Written by Venice-Nokomis Elks
Pictured Dec. 12 are Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge's Exalted Ruler, Bruce Shelley, and a Salvation Army worker unloading food for those in need. This is part of the lodge's ongoing drive to help minimize food insecurity. The lodge uses its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and lodge donations to help the community. The ldoge has donated 500 pounds of food.
Manasota Elks Lodge Hosts Children's Breakfast and Party with Santa
- Details
- Written by Diane Davis
Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 had its annual children’s Christmas party and breakfast with Santa Dec. 14. The Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and lodge contributions were used to fund the event and gifts. A total of 80 children and their families from Abel Elementary School, Bayshore Elementary School and CES Academy of Bradenton, all Title 1 schools, attended the party. Upon arrival, the children and parents and guardians were served a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and tater tots. They also had their choice of orange juice, milk, and hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows. Soon after breakfast, they received notice that Santa was on his way to the lodge so everyone went outside and anxiously waited for Santa. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by fire truck with its siren blaring. Inside the lodge, Elf Faith and Santa and Mrs. Claus called each child’s name and gave them wrapped gifts with an outfit of clothing and a toy. Each family was given a food box that contained everything for Christmas dinner and a gift certificate for meat. Jan “Spike” Klocke planned and organized the party, Shawn Wheaton shopped for all the outfits, and Roger Waldron and his crew cooked breakfast.
Pictured are Candy Claus (Bonnie Livermore), Elf (Faith Bowen), Santa (Kyle Bruce), Jan “Spike” Klocke, and Mrs Claus (Mickie Beck).
Also pictured are Dawn Leduc, Aileen Mirabito and Audra Sparacino-DeRosa serving breakfast.
Also pictured are first responders from Cedar Hammock Fire Station 4 with Mrs. Claus and Santa.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Deliver Cookies to 11 Firehouses
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On Dec. 23, Elk members Danny and Darlene Cacchiotti from Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge #2855 bought cookie trays for 11 firehouses in Manatee County and delivered them to many happy firefighters.
Pictured are Danny Cacchiotti, second from left, with firefighters Brandon Hiott,Trevor Garofalo and Jerry Grover from East Manatee Fire Rescue Station #12.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Host Lodge Hoop Shoot
- Details
- Written by Brett Davis, PDD
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held its Hoop Shoot Dec. 9 at Haile Middle School. After being on hiatus for years, the Hoot Shoot Chair, Randy Volkart, PER, partnered with Wave Basketball Academy three years ago to revive the contest. What started at five participants then grew to 21 this year.
Pictured is Randy Volkart, PER announcing scores and explaining the district competition to the winners.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Host Christmas Party for Local Children
- Details
- Written by Brett Davis, PDD
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held a Christmas party Dec. 21 for members’ children and grandchildren and the children from Miracle League of Manasota. The lodge provided gifts to the children from Miracle League and food and drink for all. Santa and Mrs. Claus gave out gifts to the children.
Pictured are Santa (member Ron Lee); member Sarah Davis and her grandchildren, Cameron and Peyton; and Mrs. Claus (member Barbara Lee).
Venice-Nokomis Elks Help Serve Thanksgiving Meal to those in Need
- Details
- Written by Venice-Nokomis Elks
On Nov. 26, Venice-Nokomis Lodge provided a Thanksgiving meal for those facing food insecurity. More than 30 people were served. This was a collaborative effort among All Faiths Food Bank, Laura and Steven Wood, Laurel Civic Center, Mothers Helping Mothers, and the lodge.
Pictured are Jenny Stupak, volunteer; David Vinsh, lodge trustee; and Sherry DeVries, Mothers Helping Mothers director.
Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Provide Weekend Meals to Local Students
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
EFELT (Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies) is the corroboration between Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota lodges. Their mission is to provide weekend meals during the school year to children who are disadvantaged. Combined, they feed 494 children from 13 schools. Funds from the Elks National Foundation $2,000 Spotlight Grant, $2,500 Gratitude Grant and $4,000 Beacon Grant are used to purchase food and supplies. Each week, volunteers from both lodges buy food, stock two EFELT pantry sites, bag food items and deliver them to the schools for children to take them home. They provide two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. Additional money is collected from lodge fundraisers and numerous donors.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge volunteers are pictured Nov. 15 at their storage site in a room donated by the local YMCA.
Bradenton Lodge volunteers are pictured Dec. 6 at their storage site in a room donated by the lodge.
Parrish Elks Lodge Member Vincent Como Jr. Completes Honolulu Marathon
- Details
- Written by Rachael King
Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 member Vincent Como Jr., son of PSP Vincent and Lisa Como, participated and completed the Honolulu Marathon in Hawaii Dec. 8. His wife, Tracy, found the race on the internet and because it was in Hawaii, they thought it would be a fun idea for their 10th wedding anniversary. He ran it in 5:04. His wife and two older children Jordan and Jadyn all ran a 10K simultaneously with the marathon. He trained for several months, running five days a week, but found the terrain to be very different in Hawaii than in Florida.
Venice-Nokomis Elks Donate Beacon Grant to Saint Mary's Academy
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On Oct. 28, Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854 donated $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Saint Mary's Academy. The donation is to help feed the students. Bruce Shelley, Exalted Ruler, and first lady, Cathy Ferney, toured the school and learned about the students with special needs.
Pictured are Shelley and Ferney with Connie Taft of Saint Mary's Academy.
Parrish Elks Host Annual Hoop Shoot
- Details
- Written by Parrish Elks
On Nov. 2, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 held its second Hoop Shoot at the New Hope Baptist Church in Parrish. They had nine children participate, with four moving on to the district Hoop Shoot in Sarasota.
Pictured in the back are Mike Carter, Lodge Secretary; Anthony D'Abbraccio, Exalted Ruler; Dave McCarthy, Hoop Shoot Chair; and Matt Carter, Leading Knight. The winners holding trophies are Caleb Bailey, 8-9 boys; Justus Riddle, 10-11 boys, Caleb Riddle, runner-up 10-11 boys; Lucca Tuccy, runner-up 12-13 boys; Jaxsen Jimenez, 12-13 boys; and Isabella Saboya, 10-11 girls. Additional participants were Daniel Ramirez, Ryan Alvarado and Levi Riddle.