On Sept. 11, Ken Hedges, Sebring Lodge Exalted Ruler, presented a $500 check to Woodlawn Elementary for their afterschool program. This program, “Leaders in Arts,” will be an eight-week program for 20-30 students in third and fourth grades who will attend each week for an hour. Pictured are Principal, Mr. Spencer; Ken Hedges, Exalted Ruler; teacher Denise Franze; and Asst. Principal, Mr. Wright.
The Elks National Foundation (ENF) recently recognized Sebring Lodge with a plaque that recognizes that this lodge has contributed $75,000 or more to ENF through the years. The lodge is currently working on the fourth plaque which will recognize $100,000. The ENF programs support youth, serve veterans and help meet local needs. Monies received back to the lodge come in forms of grants which are applied for by the lodge. The lodge is proud of its members through the years who have brought them this far and will continue through their example.
Sebring Lodge presented a check in the amount of $500 to Avon Elementary. The monies came from the lodge charity bingo which is open to the public and played Sunday and Monday nights. Avon Elementary will use this donation for an afterschool drama program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The mission is “to introduce the world of theatre to all students and to inspire them to find the artist within themselves.”
Sebring Exalted Ruler, Ken Hedges, presented a donation for Avon Elementary’s drama program to counselor Martie Brooker, Brooke Blackburn, Dale LaFlamboy, McKenna Sizemore and teacher Rebecca Lance. These students participated in the drama troupe last year and look forward to this year’s production.
Sebring Lodge works diligently to bring drug awareness education to the youth of Highlands County. Judy Hanson, PER spoke to children and young adults during one of the rehearsals for the summer camp at the Highlands Little Theatre. There were over 67 in attendance and she gave them literature provided by the Elks National Foundation for them to take home and read.
Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 has used the $2,000 Gratitude Grant to help the Humane Society of Highlands County for the past two years. Last year the donation was used for buying supplies for their Primary Care Clinic. This year the donation is going to be used to help fund a new cooling system for the dogs housed outside. Due in part to Hurricane Irma in 2017, the society has an unusually high number of animals to care for – 39 cats and 27 dogs. The Elks contacted local radio station WWOJ 99.1 and asked that the check presentation be done at the station. The station went one better, and on Saturday, June 9, they aired on site for two hours not only making the community aware of the various needs of the Humane Society but also interviewing several Sebring Elks members about what the lodge does. As a result of this on-air presentation, two women immediately responded: Linda Mohrdieck brought in a check for $250 as well as food, and Betty Hurlbut, co-owner of Central Security, matched the grant with another $2,000. Sebring Elks and the Humane Society are grateful to John Meder from WWOJ for a fantastic job.
Pictured are Judy Spiegel, President of the Humane Society Board of Directors, and Sebring Lodge Exalted Ruler, Ken Hedges.
On May 23, Plant City Exalted Ruler, Marty Carroll, and his wife, Shelly, presented 14 checks amounting to $2,400 to Sharon Morris, Superintendent for Area VI Hillsborough County Schools on behalf of the principals of those schools. The donation is to cover outstanding lunch balances for students. The Elks Gratitude Grant provided $2,000 and the remaining $400 was donated by lodge members. Morris was very appreciative and explained the delinquent lunch balances have consequences for the children. The schools can withhold report cards and diplomas for unpaid balances. She also explained that these balances are not from the families that qualify for free or reduced lunch costs but from families that could be struggling.
Sharon Morris is presented with checks by Shelly and Marty Carroll of Plant City Lodge to cover lunch cost balances for students.
On May 26, Vicki Baker, Lakeland Lodge Exalted Ruler, presented a check for $7,000 to Jeff Morse of the Brotherhood Ride at the Florida State Convention. These funds are a result of fundraising efforts this past year from the members of the lodge. Lakeland Lodge is proud to be the home lodge for the Brotherhood Ride.
Louisiana State Legislature Increases New Orleans Hotel Occupancy Tax
The Legislature of the State of Louisiana has acted to increase the New Orleans Hotel Occupancy Tax from 13% to 14.75% effective April 1, 2014. This will affect our convention room rates and they will go from $128.56 to $130.52 per night.
Convention Attendees With ADA Transportation Needs Urged To Contact Grand Lodge
In order for the Grand Lodge to support the transportation needs of attendees with disabilities you are urged to contact the Grand Lodge if you require special assistance. Special coaches capable of kneeling to accommodate wheel chairs will be placed along the routes for those in need. If you require assistance please contact Tina or Jessica at the Grand Lodge as follows:
