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Southwest District
Bradenton Elks Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for EFELT's New Food Storage Hub
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On Jan. 10, Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new food storage hub at Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511. Members and donors were invited to tour the building. Attendees learned how volunteers manage the process of buying, storing and inventorying food, as well as packing and delivering bags to 700 children in 13 schools. EFELT volunteers work hard to ensure disadvantaged children have meals during the weekends.
Pictured are EFELT board members Paul Reddy and Clay Wakefield. Also pictured inside the storage building are members of Christ Church of Longboat Key, the building’s largest donor.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Raise Funds for Miracle League of Manasota
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On Dec. 7, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 donated $1,500 to the Miracle League of Manasota, a local affiliate of the national organization that provides opportunities for children and adults with special needs to play baseball. The donation was presented at the Joanne DiCarlo Christmas party, named after their lodge chaplain, who passed away Aug. 16. She was the Miracle League's biggest supporter. Proceeds were raised from the lodge charity golf event in October. In addition, Alex Burke of the Elks Riders presented $1,100 raised from a lottery ticket raffle.
Pictured are Robyn Graham, Miracle League board president; lodge members Mark Liddell and Sarah Davis; and Chris Cushman, Miracle League executive director.
Bradenton Elks Deliver Gifts for Casa Mora Residents Alone at the Holidays
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Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 did an angel tree project not just for children but for residents at Casa Mora, a Bradenton extended care/rehab center, as well. The center’s activities director provided 45 resident names who did not have friends or family in the area to help them celebrate Christmas. Tags for these residents were hung on the Elks angel tree, along with five gift ideas per resident. Members quickly claimed the tags and shopped for the residents. On Dec. 19, members delivered more than 100 gifts and packages to Casa Mora to be distributed to the residents at the annual Christmas party.
Pictured are the angel tree; Sherry Sims and Ron Gillaspy delivering gifts; and Kathy Thomas, Casa Mora activities director, and Sherry Sims with the gifts.
Bradenton Elks Host Christmas Party for Children with Special Needs
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Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 held a Christmas party for children with special needs Dec. 13. Prior to the event, lodge members erected an angel tree holding tags specifying requested gifts for 36 children from 19 families. Gifts were given to all the children in each household. Members gifted many of the requested presents, and the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant plus the Harry-Anna Trust Fund’s matching grant were used to purchase the gifts members did not purchase. Grant funds were also used for decorations and the breakfast that was served to families in attendance. Face painting, shell painting and cookie decorating were offered as well. The total spent was $7,300 out of the $8,000 granted to the lodge.
Pictured are member Karen Kall, Maddie and Kristy, and Elk Matt Gordon. Also pictured is the Elizabeth family.
Parrish Elks Recognize Lodge Hoop Shoot Winners
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On Nov. 15, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 held its Hoop Shoot. While 18 eager members volunteered, unfortunately only three participants entered. The lodge is already seeking alternate ways to get more participants in the future.
Pictured are Dave McCarthy, Lodge Hoop Shoot Chair, and the three winners: 10-11 boys, Andrew Bradshaw, first place, and Caleb Bailey, second place, and 12-13 boys, Lincoln Coughlin, first place.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Annual Golf Tournament Raises $11,000 for Charities
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Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge’s annual golf outing was held at Calusa Country Club at Lakewood Ranch Oct. 25, with 128 golfers and several sponsors. Afterward, lunch was served at the lodge by Mission BBQ. More than 40 raffle prizes and a live auction helped raise more than $11,000 for the lodge charity account.
Pictured are Mark Liddell, Exalted Ruler, and Lauri Liddell, Lodge Public Relations Chair.
Bradenton Elks Bingo Players Donate Funds for School Supplies
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On Sept. 8, Bradenton Elks Lodge collected $500 in donations from players’ winnings at their bingo night. On Sept. 16, PSP Danny and Rachel Tabor delivered school supplies and gift cards to two local schools.
They are pictured at Bayshore Elementary with a counselor and at Sea Breeze Elementary with Aliki Bovoletis, principal, and Victoria Kukral, assistant principal.
Bradenton Elks Support Meals on Wheels PLUS Food Drive
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Bradenton Elks donated $250 to Meals on Wheels PLUS in support of their Oct. 5 Stuff the Bus food drive event.
Melanie Fino, Lecturing Knight, presented the check Sept. 26 to Kelly Pinskey, Meals on Wheels Plus donor relations administrator.
Manasota Elks Deliver School Supplies to Abel Elementary
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On Aug. 22, Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 donated $1,500 worth of wish list school supplies to Abel Elementary School, using funds from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. The school made a special request for four Sunshine State Young Readers Award Junior books, and the reading coach was thrilled to have these books added to their library. Staff members also expressed appreciation for the other supplies.
Pictured in front is Mary Dalton, fifth grade teacher. In the middle row are Spike Klocke, member; Diane Davis, lodge trustee; and Ashley Terry, principal. In the back are Sydney Graham, fifth grade teacher; Kaitlyn Walsh, kindergarten teacher; Amita Khurana, behavioral specialist; Lisa Linton, reading coach; Jennifer Moore, assistant principal; Caron Potter, member; Jim Klocke, member; Mickie Beck, Lodge Secretary; and Pauline Snyder, member.
Sarasota South Elks PERs Host Christmas-in-July Event for Children's Christmas Party
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More than 90 members attended Sarasota South Elks Lodge PER Association’s Christmas-in-July event July 19 and enjoyed dinner and entertainment. The Past Exalted Rulers raffled gift cards for area restaurants, an electric three-wheeler and a gift basket. Ken Wanavich’s music had many on the dance floor. After raising $4,000, the PERs plan to distribute $1,000 toward this year’s children’s Christmas party.
Palmetto Elks Lodge Shares Grant with Mayors Feeding the Hungry Program
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On July 17, Palmetto Elks Lodge #2449 presented the $3,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Mayors Feeding the Hungry program.
Pictured are Bill Britt, Exalted Ruler; Helon Sexton, Secretary; and Mayor Dan West.
Community Learns about Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks at Manatee Chamber Event
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On July 24, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 participated in the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Coffee Club and Nonprofit Showcase. There were 32 nonprofits that had booths at the event, held at Veterans Expo Hall in Palmetto. Approximately 200 visitors and local business representatives attended to learn what current nonprofits are offering. The lodge booth showcased the lodge and provided information about being an Elk and what that means. They spoke to many people about membership, handed out several applications, and answered numerous questions about the mission and what Elks do for the community. To attract attention, they held a drawing for a lottery board and drew the winner at the end of the event. As attendees filled out their tickets, the members had time to talk about the lodge and answer questions.
Pictured are Mark Liddell, Leading Knight; Lauri Liddell, Public Relations Chair; and Alex Burke, Loyal Knight.