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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Southwest District
News from Venice-Nokomis Lodge
- Details
- 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.
Lodges #2495 and #1854 Have Successful Toys for Tots Campaign
- Details
- Written by Rose Wujcik
Jim Lamb, PDD from the Southwest District was the Toys for Tots Coordinator for Florida’s Sarasota County. Participating this year were members from Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 and Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854. Together their members donated 9,965 volunteer hours to make sure that 19,965 children had a Merry Christmas. A total of 105,528 toys, 8,941 books and 45,569 stocking stuffers were given out as in-kind donations equaling $2,167,190.10.
Americanism Essay Winners Honored at Sarasota South Lodge
- Details
- Written by Rose Wujcik
On Feb. 3, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 hosted a buffet luncheon for the winners of the Americanism essay contest. This year’s theme was “What Makes you Proud to be an American.” Ray Peetz, Lodge Americanism Chairman, introduced the winners of the 2019 contest, all of whom were from Pine View School in Sarasota, Fla. – first-place winner, Sidney Brann; second-place winner, Oleg Frankowski; and third-place winner, Emily Fung. He shared with them “What it means to be an Elk” from the Elks creed and thanked the winners for their participation. He also shared audio of Red Skelton’s famous definition of each word of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pictured at Sarasota South Lodge’s awards luncheon for Americanism essay contest winners are Richard Bouchard, Exalted Ruler; Emily Fung, third-place winner; Fran Squires, teacher; Sidney Brann, first-place winner; Ray Peetz, Lodge Americanism Chairman, and Sue Fair, assistant principal.
South Hillsborough Lodge Hosts Annual Hoop Shoot
- Details
- Written by South Hillsborough Elks
South Hillsborough Lodge held their annual Hoop Shoot Nov. 29 at Ruskin Christian School. Roy Gardner, chairman (pictured with trophy winners), reported that 325 students participated with 47 participants the night of the event.
South Hillsborough Elks Support Angel Tree Program
- Details
- Written by South Hillsborough Elks
South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 held their annual Christmas Angel Tree program for children in foster care. Through the lodge members’ generosity, especially the Partners of the Elks, 100 children had a wonderful Christmas. Amanda Kirton, chairman, said that 15 of the bicycles were sent to northern Florida where the hurricane destroyed everything.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge Supports Area at Christmastime
- Details
- Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks
On Dec. 20, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 packed 10 boxes of food containing breakfast, lunch and dinner for Christmas Day for the clients of the Salvation Army program Pathway to Hope for single moms. On Dec. 22, the lodge held a Christmas party for 53 children and adults who are physically handicapped who participate in the Miracle League baseball program that is sponsored by the lodge.
Venice-Nokomis Elks Support Local Children's Programs
- Details
- Written by Venice-Nokomis Elks
Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854 has given much support to local children. They donated 20 bicycles to a local elementary school for a reading incentive program. The bicycles were presented by Dave Gillum, Exalted Ruler, and Sherie Gillum, Leading Knight. With the help of the Promise Grant, they donated $1,300-worth of food to the Sandra Terry Civic Center for the afterschool snack program that feeds 75 homeless children weekly. The lodge also used the Anniversary Grant to purchase and deliver 150 dictionaries to two local elementary schools, and school supplies were delivered to Laurel Nokomis Elementary School for needy children.
South Hillsborough Elks Support Local Summer Day Camp
- Details
- Written by South Hillsborough Elks
South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 sponsored 22 young boys and girls to participate in the county’s summer day camp program held at E.G. Simmons Park. This year, with the Gratitude Grant and in cooperation with the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department, the lodge was able to support two camp periods: July 2-13 for children ages nine to 11 and July 16-27 for children ages 12-15. The camp teaches conservation, kayaking, fishing safety, fishing techniques, catch and release procedures, species identification, and arts and crafts. Two field trips were conducted including a visit to the Florida Aquarium in Tampa and the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center in nearby Apollo Beach. Local charter captains lectured on the fishes of Tampa Bay. At the conclusion of each camp period, awards were given to the camper who caught the biggest fish, the camper who caught the most fish and the camper who showed the most improvement in fishing capabilities. As part of the program, on the last day of camp, every camper receives a rod and reel, some lures, and other tackle and leaves the program with new friends and fond memories.
Manasota Elks Participate in Flag Retirement at Elementary School
- Details
- Written by Manasota Elks
Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 participated in a flag retirement ceremony at Oneco Elementary School earlier this year. The ceremony was performed by Maritime Eagles Sea Cadets and included folding the flag and raising the new replacement flags: American, state POW/MIA. A portion of their Gratitude Grant was used for this purpose. All students and faculty members of Oneco Elementary School attended the event.
Lodge #2855 Delivers Hurricane Relief Supplies to FEYC
- Details
- Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks
On Saturday, Sept. 15, 38 members of Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge came by bus to the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla. They also escorted a busload of relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Florence to be distributed to Elks lodges in the affected areas.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Use Gratitude Grant to Teach Kids Safety
- Details
- Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge members dressed in bee colors and costumes read books about safety to first-graders in two local schools. The children were given a book and a plush bee to take home to remind them of the lessons they learned about stranger danger, good touches and bad touches, when not to keep a secret, and many other reminders to keep them safe. The books and bees were provided through a Gratitude Grant.