Arcadia Elks Lodge #1524 is doing their part to encourage Florida’s DeSoto County youth to read – one quarter at a time. On Aug. 24, the Elks partnered with the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County, the DeSoto County School District, the U.S. Census Bureau, All Faiths Food Bank, and the Boys and Girls Club to offer a morning of free loads of laundry, storytelling and resources at the Supermatt Laundry located on Hickory Street in Arcadia, Fla. Over 250 loads of laundry were washed and dried at no cost to them while children read or enjoyed stories being read to them. They also took part in various activities provided by the DeSoto tutoring bus and bookmobile. This event was made possible with an Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and the help of Mary Kay Burns, FDOH DeSoto Administrator and Elks lodge officer who is dedicated to making an impact in the reading levels of DeSoto County youth and improving the health and well-being of DeSoto County residents.
Pictured at the Arcadia Elks’ Suds ‘n’ Stories event Aug. 24 at the Supermatt Laundry are Heather Smith, lodge member and Health Department; Jackie Hughes, Exalted Ruler; Cynthia Scott, Health Department; Penny Pringle, lodge member and Health Department; Nancy Higginbotham, lodge member; and Odella Rivas, All Faiths Food Bank.