Southwest Central District

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Written by Sebring Elks

On June 14, Sebring Lodge recognized two students who won the state Americanism essay contest and their teachers during the lodge’s Flag Day celebration. Both students read their essays, and then they and their teachers were awarded checks.

Pictured are Joe Stockenberg, Exalted Ruler; Donna Howerton, member; Lucia Guillen, sixth grade student; Tammy Goins, sixth grade teacher; Judy Hanson, PER; Tammy Williams, eighth grade teacher; Garrett Bihl, eighth grade student; and Diane Morse, Leading Knight.

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Written by Rachael King

On April 22, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 donated its donations from the first quarter of 2024 from their charity bingo. They collected 350 cans of food for Hands for Homeless pantry. This is an ongoing effort that bingo members contribute to all year.

Pictured are Marty Bower, Inner Guard; Bill Braylinger; Jeremiah Stone, student lodge volunteer; Jane Braylinger, Hands for Homeless CEO; and Diane Morse, Leading Knight.

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Written by Sebring Elks

On May 4, the City of Sebring held its seventh annual Bike Rodeo & Splash Day, which was hosted by the Sebring Fire Department, the Sebring Police Department and the City of Sebring. Throughout April, Sebring Elks collected new bicycles and monetary donations to assist with this event. In the first year the city held this event, the Elks donated 12 bicycles. This year, they donated 49 bicycles, using donations from members, charity bingo members, and the Friday night band crowd that came to see Rick Arnold. The event gave the children in the community not only an opportunity to own a new bike but to also have some fun outside.

Pictured are Sebring firefighters; Joe Stockenberg, Exalted Ruler; and Diane Morse, Leading Knight.

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Written by Sebring Elks

On May 4, the City of Sebring held its seventh annual Bike Rodeo & Splash Day, which was hosted by the Sebring Fire Department, the Sebring Police Department and the City of Sebring. Throughout April, Sebring Elks collected new bicycles and monetary donations to assist with this event. In the first year the city held this event, the Elks donated 12 bicycles. This year, they donated 49 bicycles, using donations from members, charity bingo members, and the Friday night band crowd that came to see Rick Arnold. The event gave the children in the community not only an opportunity to own a new bike but to also have some fun outside.

Pictured are Sebring firefighters; Joe Stockenberg, Exalted Ruler; and Diane Morse, Leading Knight.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On Feb. 17, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 members and one guest volunteered for the Feeding Tampa Bay mobile program at the Hands for Homeless in Avon Park. They sorted foods to be distributed to clients. Twice a month, cars line up early in the morning and food items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and proteins are boxed up and placed in their trunks. According to Jane Breylinger, Hands for Homeless executive director, "1,016 meals reach 212 children and 448 adults in every distribution." In October 2023, the lodge donated a portion of its $6,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants to the mobile program, and the rest of the funds were spent on a heated holding cabinet and a gas stove and oven.

Pictured in the back are members Ken Wheeler, Marty Bowers, John Lawson and Ron Schilffarth. Pictured in the front are Jane Breylinger, Diane Morse, Wainetta Holmes, Mary Brainerd and Anne Worth, guest.