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Southwest District
Parrish Elks Celebrate Flag Day with Retirement Community Residents
- Details
- Written by Heather Gowarty
- Hits: 12
On June 14, Palmetto Elks hosted a Flag Day ceremony at Addington Place at College Harbor, a retirement community in St. Petersburg, and had some of the veterans participate. In attendance were 59 residents, who were given small flags, and 11 Elks. Six residents who are veterans carried in the military flags.
Pictured are residents in attandance.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Riders Present Donation for Medical Bills to Family
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- Written by JoAnn Reddy
- Hits: 14
On June 8, the Elks Riders of Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge #2855 presented $8,924 to the family of Ryder Cornthwait, who has a brain injury, to aid in medical care costs. The presentation took place at Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota lodge, as the majority of the donation was raised at that lodge. Members of other Southwest District lodges hosted fundraising events as well.
Pictured are Alex Burke, Elks Riders president; Justin Cornthwait, Ryder's father; Matt Burdette of Palmetto Lodge; Ron Duquet of Bradenton Lodge; and Ryder Cornthwait.
Venice-Nokomis Elks Recognize Americanism Essay State Winner
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- Written by Cindy Vaillancourt
- Hits: 10
On May 1, Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854 presented Alakh Bhatt, first place state winner in the eighth grade division of the Americanism essay contest, a check for $1,000 from the Florida State Elks Association. She read her essay to members at the lodge, where she and her family were guests for dinner. She went on to compete in the national contest.
Pictured are Mr. Bhatt; Alakh Bhatt; Mantra Bhatt, Alakh’s brother; and Mrs. Bhatt. Mantra’s essay won at the district level.
Manasota Elks Lodge Recognizes Americanism Essay Contest Winners
- Details
- Written by Diane Davis
- Hits: 10
Fifth grade students from Abel Elementary School participated in the 2024-2025 Elks Americanism essay contest. Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 received 25 essays chosen by the fifth grade teachers. On May 19, Lodge Americanism Chair, Ken Davis, PDD, awarded a certificate and a $35 Target gift card to the top three essays winners.
Pictured are Mrs. Lavigne, fifth grade teacher; contest winners Ta’Layan P., Adelyanna M. and Sophia P.; and Ken Davis, PDD, Americanism Chair.
Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge Awards JROTC Medal and Certificate to Cadet Sergeant
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- Written by Cindy Vaillancourt
- Hits: 10
Venice-Nokomis Lodge awarded Venice High School senior JROTC Cadet Sergeant Jaide Granberg the Elks JROTC medal and certificate for outstanding academic and leadership achievements May 13.
Pictured are Dennis Vaillancourt, Leading Knight; Cindy Vaillancourt, Exalted Ruler; and Cadet Sergeant Jaide Granberg.
Southshore Lady Elks Raise Funds for Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services
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- Written by Janet Meyer
- Hits: 13
On April 7, the Southshore Lady Elks of South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 hosted a charity fashion show and luncheon, raising $1,000 for Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services. Colleen Gallant, Director, educated the guests on the critical role the program plays in the state by providing in-home physical and occupational therapy services and in identifying the increasing cases of autism.
Sarasota South Elks Celebrate Youth Day
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- Written by Lynn Monahan
- Hits: 7
As part of Elks National Youth Week, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 celebrated Youth Day May 4. Parents, grandparents, and several Boys Scouts and their scoutmaster brought approximately 50 kids to enjoy an afternoon of cornhole, badminton and various yard games. There were hot dogs, cotton candy and sno-cones. Many of the kids planted seeds and decorated flower pots for their moms for Mother’s Day. Elroy the Elk joined in on all the fun, too.
Pictured are Elroy the Elk and two Boy Scouts.
Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Members Fundraise for EFELT
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- Written by JoAnn Reddy
- Hits: 7
On March 30, Christ Church of Long Boat Key held a luncheon for their parishioners, and Bradenton #1511 and Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota #2855 lodge members representing Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies were invited to give a presentation of how they help feed area students. The church donated $4,500.
Pictured are Mike Reddy, EFELT treasurer; Jerry Fox, head of mission committee; JoAnn Reddy, EFELT secretary; Andrea Hitcho, EFELT CEO; and Margi Dawson, member of Turning Points, who also gave a presentation. Mike and JoAnn Reddy are Bradenton Lodge members Andrea Hitcho is a Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge member.
Sarasota South Elks Lodge Hosts Membership Drive
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- Written by Sarasota South Elks
- Hits: 228
Sarasota South Lodge celebrated the one-year anniversary of their tiki hut by hosting a membership drive, which brought in seven new candidates. The event included bands, food and drinks.
Pictured is the front entrance to the tiki hut.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Host Talent Show for Harry-Anna Trust Fund
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- Written by JoAnn Reddy
- Hits: 194
On March 1, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge held a talent show and dinner to raise money for the Harry-Anna Trust Fund. Members dressed in costumes and provided the entertainment. A total of $1,916.54 was raised.
Pictured are Cher and Sonny, portrayed by members Kevin and Marge Burke.
Hoedown at Sarasota South Elks Raises Funds for Florida Elks for Autism
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- Written by Sarasota South Elks
- Hits: 135
On Jan. 18, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 held a country hoedown fundraiser for Florida Elks for Autism, which offers autism testing at no charge to families. There were 75 members and guests attending in western outfits. The menu included cowboy beans with jalapeño cornbread and cowboy casserole. Music was provided by Dr. Paul, who performed his unique brand of country music, which he featured on the show “The Voice” recently. Funds were raised when bail was paid for attendees who were put in jail for the most minor of infractions, including drinking with their right hand or having their left elbow on the table or talking too much or not talking enough. This raised $252. Another $230 was raised via donations at the door.
Pictured behind bars are bartenders Randy, Christine, Mel and Susan.
Parrish Elks Introduce their Lodge at Heritage Day Festival
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- Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio
- Hits: 141
On March 8, Parrish Elks participated in the Parrish Heritage Day Festival with a membership tent. Members shared with attendees what the Elks do in the community and state. At the end of the day, they had signed up 10 people for membership. They also raffled a basket for lodge funds.
Volunteers pictured are Sharon Kline, Patricia Knight, Mitch Loiselle, the raffle basket winner and Joe Kline. Not pictured is Ken Knight.