Southwest Central District

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Written by Ronna Mason

Sebring Lodge presented The Champions for Children Foundation of Highlands County Inc. with a check for $1,000. The monies were designated for the safe house which helps protect women and children from domestic violence. Exalted Ruler, Ken Hedges, presents the donation to Carissa Marine, CEO of the foundation.

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Written by Sharon Hammersla

Using an ENF Anniversary Grant, Brandon Lodge provided assistance to Limona Elementary in the form of new equipment. The school had 14 pieces of equipment that could not be repaired because they were too old (13 years old), so the lodge replaced five of the document cameras. These cameras connect to a laptop to project math lessons, allow students to view science investigations on a projection screen or white board, share read-alouds so the entire class can see, and enable the students to work together on reading and writing projects.

Pictured at the equipment presentation from Brandon Lodge to Limona Elementary are George Thomas, PER; Christine Vogel, Exalted Ruler; MaryLou Bates, principal; Sharon Hammersla, PER; and Jean-Marie French, Media Specialist, Nov. 29.

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Written by Tony Bonacum

On Nov. 9, Lakeland Lodge presented their Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant of $2,000 as well as member donations of more than $1,100 to Senior Orphans of Polk County. Founded over 25 years ago, this program assists local, indigent seniors without family support and monthly incomes of $600 or less. Senior Orphans is 100% vol­unteer driven with no administrative costs. They accept donations such as personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and paper goods, and when a case manager contacts the program, they have immediate access to their clients’ needed supplies. The donations help thousands of needy seniors with their day-to-day living expenses. Seniors are screened through qualified agencies such as the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Polk Elderly Services or Peace River Association. Senior Orphans and the agen­cy case managers are careful to ensure that the neediest of the needy receive assistance.

Pictured at the donation presentation from Lakeland Lodge to Senior Orphans of Polk County are Beverly Corneilus, Senior Orphans coordinator; James Crosby, PER, Senior Orphans co-chair; Vicki Baker, Exalted Ruler; John Mathison, trustee chairman; Sher Thrush, trustee and Senior Orphans co-chair; Rick Burton, Leading Knight; Charlene Fisher, grant coordinator; and Carl Hutchcraft, member.

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Written by Ronna Mason

Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 had a successful fundraiser for the lodge building fund Oct. 31 called Dogs Night Out which was open to the public. Many volunteers cooked and set up and got donations and prizes for the auction. Elks winners included Cheryl Thomas and Cookie who won best dressed couple and Bill Heaver’s dog, Billy, who won best dressed dog. The event raised $2,000.

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Written by Tony Bonacum

During October, the Lakeland Boys and Girls Club of Lakeland received a donation of tickets to Disney. While this donation made it possible for children to visit the park, many of the boys and girls did not have the means to purchase food during their visit. Lakeland Lodge members donated money which was used to ensure that those children would be able to do so.

Lakeland Lodge members donated school supplies for Dixieland Elementary School in Lakeland. Lodge Youth Activities co-chairman, Alice Murray, was nominated as Dixieland's volunteer of the year for her teacher assistance in their kindergarten classes.