Southwest District

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Written by Diane Davis

In the past, Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 has had Breakfast with Santa for community families in need. Unfortunately, this was not possible this past year due to the pandemic. Disappointed, lodge members brainstormed and talked to the two schools they partner with and came up with a solution. The lodge used Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant funds to fill a box with toiletries, candy, toys, $15 McDonald’s gift certificates for each child, Christmas dinner items and a $25 Winn-Dixie gift certificate to purchase a turkey for distribution to 26 families in need at Abel Elementary School and Oneco Elementary School. Lodge members Diane Davis, Spike Klocke, Linda Schultz, Pauline Snyder and Shawn Wheaton sorted, wrapped and packed the items for delivery to each Title 1 school. School staff members distributed the boxes the last day of school before the winter break. The lodge received posters and letters thanking them for the generous gifts.

Pictured Dec. 17 at Abel Elementary School are Denise Troche, staff member; Diane Davis, Leading Knight; Don Wheaton, trustee; Jan "Spike" Klocke, lodge member; Jim Klocke, trustee; Shawn Wheaton, lodge member; and Mary Lauderdale, staff member.

Pictured Dec. 18 at Oneco Elementary school are Eileen Popecki, staff member; Davida Phillips, staff member; Jan "Spike" Klocke, lodge member; Jim Klocke, trustee; Don Wheaton, trustee; Marie Mueller, staff member, lodge member, and N.U.B.S. Community Service co-advisor; Shawn Wheaton, lodge member; and Diane Davis, Leading Knight.

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Written by Bob Erwin, PDD

On Nov. 14, Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 donated $7,000 to Manatee County Children's Services, a Manatee County, Florida, charity that maintains three group homes, a homeless shelter, and many other abuse, prevention, workshops, counseling and advocacy programs. The funds were made possible through a $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and a matching Florida State Elks Association grant. Pictured are Dave Manning, PDD; ER, Bradenton 1511 and Marcie Lacy, Residential Director, Manatee County Children's Services

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Written by Rick Thorson, PER

On Nov. 25, Joanne DiCarlo and Rick and Kay Thorson, representing Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855, distributed 924 cookies to first responders in the East Manatee County Fire District with a note on top that read, "We are Thankful for You." The cookies were greatly appreciated by the various teams. This is something the lodge has done for the last six years.

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Written by Diane Davis

Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 has proudly formed a partnership with Florine J. Abel Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Sarasota, Florida, which means the school has a large segment of students who come from families with low incomes. The school reached out to the lodge for help, and the members responded quickly to their first collaborative project — donating school supplies. Because the donation box in the lodge filled quickly, members delivered the supplies to the school July 30. Pictured in the front row are Samantha Webb, principal, and Mary Lauderdale, fourth grade teacher. Lodge members in the back row are Diane Davis, Ken Davis, Robin Hutchins, Pam McDowell and Dale Steinke.

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Written by Jim Lamb, PDD

During the coronavirus pandemic, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 has been carrying out a unique program to serve students’ needs while they learn from home. In April, 1,900 educational toys were donated to help encourage children in prekindergarten through eighth grade with their distance learning and as an incentive to complete their assignments online. In June, 2,500 books were donated for the students as well. Teachers from three schools in Sarasota, Venice and Bradenton came to the Elks’ storeroom near the lodge to pick up the toys and books. They take them to their schools to hand out to the students as they pick up their lunches. The teachers handle this because they know which children are in need and their reading levels. To date, approximately 2,900 toys and 3,500 books have been donated, and each student receives a book and a toy. This project was supported by lodge members and members of the community as well as by businesses, Toys for Tots, a book company and Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge. Because of the lodge’s visibility and community support, they have even gained new members. Pictured June 10 at the lodge storeroom are Jim Lamb, PDD, Sarasota South Lodge member and coordinator of Toys for Tots, and Marie Mueller of Oneco Elementary School.

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Written by Brett Davis, PDD

Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 used their $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant May 19 to support The Food Bank of Manatee in this time of unprecedented demand related to the coronavirus economic situation. These funds would normally be used by the lodge program Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies (EFELT), but since the program is temporarily suspended because of school closures, the lodge decided to help the food bank. The food bank has stepped in and is helping to feed many of the same children EFELT would normally serve. Maribeth Phillips, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee CEO, received the check on behalf of the Food Bank of Manatee from Clayton Wakefield, lodge member and EFELT east coordinator (Bradenton Lodge services the west side). Pictured at the right is Jerry Ditty, Exalted Ruler.