-
Home
- District-SWC
News Features
Florida Elks News Editor:
Rachael King
Entire contents copyright 2020 by the
Florida State Elks Association Inc.
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
352-669-9443
Share Your Story
We'd love to see & share your Lodge & District Events!
Let's promote what our Florida Elks are doing to support your community
Preserve any person, event, or memory with a personalized brick at your Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Florida.
Learn More
Florida Elks News Online
Plant City Lodge Assists Fundraiser for Police Unity Tour
- Details
- Written by Judy Wise
On Jan. 25, Plant City Elks Lodge volunteers partnered with The Wooden Spoon, Universal Tire and Auto Repair, the Plant City Police Department, and the community for a barbecue lunch to raise funds for the Plant City Police Department to participate in the Police Unity Tour. The Police Unity Tour is a yearly event that starts 250 miles outside Washington, D.C., in Virginia and ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. There is a fee to ride in this tour. The primary purpose of the tour is to raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty; the secondary purpose is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The event raised over $5,000 which will be used to cover the $2,000 entry fee for each of the two Plant City officers riding, and $1,000 will be donated to maintain and enlarge the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Two of the four barbecue organizers were lodge members George Domedian and Judy Wise, and 15 lodge volunteers participated. With the help of off-duty officers, the “drive-through” pickup of a barbecue lunch at The Wooden Spoon restaurant went smoothly. The giant law enforcement flag was displayed by Brewington Towing.
Plant City Lodge Members Replace Worn Flags for Local Citizens
- Details
- Written by Judy Wise
Plant City Lodge Americanism chairman, Ed Wise, and member J.J. Calhoun keep watch for torn or faded American flags flying at homes around Plant City, Fla. When one is found, they meet with the owner or leave a letter written on lodge letterhead informing them of an offer to replace the worn flag with a new one. When the offer has been accepted, they make the replacement. They offer this service to veterans, the elderly and low-income folks.
Calhoun is pictured.
Sebring Elks Gift Gratitude Grant to Hartland Horses & Handicap
- Details
- Written by Sebring Elks
On Dec. 20, Sebring Lodge presented the Hartland Horses & Handicap organization a check for $2,000 from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. Hartland Horses & Handicap is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to use horses “to challenge perceived limitations of children and adults with disabilities that help them learn and grow while improving their lives.” Pictured are Hartland board member Mary Moll; lodge member and volunteer, Cheryl Paplaskas; board member Bonnie Williamson; Exalted Ruler, Ken Hedges; and board member Claire Langway.
East Polk Lodge Hosts Children's Christmas Party
- Details
- Written by East Polk Elks
On Dec. 15, East Polk Elks Lodge #2882 hosted a Christmas party for the children from the Light House School for the Visually Impaired from Winter Haven, Fla. They also invited the Silver Spurs Cloggers, a group which has children who would otherwise be unable to afford dance lessons. Both Elroy the Elk and Santa visited with the children and all children received a warm jacket or sweatshirt and at least one toy they wanted. The Winter Haven Police and Fire Department also visited the lodge to give demonstrations to the children.
Santa (Kenny Jenkins) visits with children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15 while member Mary Lou Collins assists.
Elroy the Elk (Boone Deyo) greets children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15.
East Polk Lodge Hosts Children's Christmas Party
- Details
- Written by East Polk Elks
On Dec. 15, East Polk Elks Lodge #2882 hosted a Christmas party for the children from the Light House School for the Visually Impaired from Winter Haven, Fla. They also invited the Silver Spurs Cloggers, a group which has children who would otherwise be unable to afford dance lessons. Both Elroy the Elk and Santa visited with the children and all children received a warm jacket or sweatshirt and at least one toy they wanted. The Winter Haven Police and Fire Department also visited the lodge to give demonstrations to the children.
Santa (Kenny Jenkins) visits with children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15 while member Mary Lou Collins assists.
Elroy the Elk (Boone Deyo) greets children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15.
Brandon Lodge Gives Eight Families a Merry Christmas
- Details
- Written by Mary Lou Scribner
Brandon Lodge adopted eight families with a total of 17 children and made sure these families enjoyed a wonderful Christmas. On Dec. 18 there was plenty of Christmas spirit at the lodge with Christmas carols playing while elves wrapped gifts. Grandchildren of lodge members were sharing in the merriment and learning first-hand what Elks do! This is an annual tradition, and each year, families are sought that have fallen on hard times. Marionette Sexton, Lecturing Knight, chairs this event. Lodge members choose a child to adopt and purchase and wrap presents. An entire Christmas dinner is also provided to the families.
Brandon Lodge members Donald Harrison; Nancy Price, treasurer; and Nickie Wells, PER, trustee, wrap Christmas gifts Dec. 18 at the lodge for local families.
Plant City Lodge Gives Stuffed Animals for Children to Plant City PD
- Details
- Written by Judy Wise
The Plant City Police Department informed Plant City Lodge that they often deal with traumatized children and it is much easier if they have a stuffed animal to give to them to help calm them. If the children are placed into foster care, the children usually only bring a few personal items with them because they are removed from the home with nothing but the clothes on their back. Exalted Ruler, Ron Johns, donated a large amount of new stuffed toy animals for the police department to carry in their cars.
Ron Johns, Plant City Exalted Ruler, presents stuffed animals to Plant City police officer Russell Fredrick to be given to children during stressful times.