Southwest Central District

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

Sebring Lodge participated in the Elks Americanism essay contest, with the theme of "What is my American Dream?" Lodge Americanism Chair, Diane Morse, secured participants from Woodlawn Elementary and Sebring Middle School. First place winners from each school received $100, second place winners received $50 and third place winners received $25. 

Pictured Dec. 13 from Woodlawn are Andria McHargue, fifth grade teacher; Keane Angsinco, second place winner; Ryan Avirett, first place winner; Diane Morse, Lodge Chair; Gwen Clark, Lecturing Knight; Christine Gilbert assistant principal; and Jerry Wright, principal. Marcus Padron, the third place winner, was not available for the picture. Pictured from Sebring Middle School are Diane Morse; Kin Labra, first place winner; Julia Hartt, second place winner; Savannah Folgate, third place winner; and Gwen Clark.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On Dec. 13, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 presented approximately 80 pieces of jewelry to Sebring Middle School to be used as gifts for their Christmas store. Florida Elks Charities provided the jewelry, which was donated from a vendor for Elks lodges to use for raising funds or providing them to a charitable cause. The school has a "Show Your Blue" program, which rewards good behavior year-round. Teachers give rewards when they witness BLUE characteristics — “B” for good behavior, “L” for level headedness, “U” for understanding and “E” for effort. These tickets can be used throughout the year for special considerations. At this time of year, gifts from their Christmas store can be purchased with these tickets.

Pictured are Diane Morse, Loyal Knight, and Gwen Clark, Lecturing Knight.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On Sept. 22, members of Sebring Lodge delivered 15 boxes of canned goods and other nonperishable food items to the Hands for Homeless program in Avon Park, Florida. The lodge has been partnering with this program for over a year. The program helps alleviate food insecurities within the community. The bulk of items collected were donated by the lodge's Monday night charity bingo players. 

Pictured with Diane Morse, Loyal Knight, is Tammy Figuereo, the Hands for Homeless communication coordinator, who estimated that the donation would be enough to meet the needs of 86 clients in the food assistance program. 

Also pictured loading the food for delivery are Buddy Richards, Inner Guard, and Jonathan Spiegel, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

The quarterly Brandon Lodge drive-thru food collection was held Aug. 27. Robin Rutzke; Sharon Hammersla, PDD; Linda Craft; Sandie Pelkey (lodge member and Craft’s daughter); and Mary Lou Scribner, PER arrived at 8 a.m. to accept donations. Twenty-two Elks members and seven non-members dropped off bags and boxes of food donations. One member gave a cash donation of $204.11 which Hammersla used to shop for additional food. In total, the lodge donated 507 pounds of food valued at more than $1,000. Lodge member Charlene Hart volunteers at the food bank and was happy to accept this donation that Hammersla delivered. Nativity Food Bank was thrilled to receive it, as their shelves were getting dangerously low on supplies. At the drive-thru, a member also dropped off a trunk full of National Geographic and other magazines which Rutzke will donate to the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital.

Pictured at the drive-thru are Sharon Hammersla, PDD; Linda Craft; Sandie Pelkey; and Mary Lou Scribner, PER. Charlene Hart accepts the donations at Nativity Food Bank from Sharon Hammersla, PDD.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On Aug. 5, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 presented a $6,000 check to Hands for Homeless Inc., a nonprofit organization in Avon Park, Florida, whose goal is to serve healthy meals to families in need in Highlands County. In May, they served 4,735 meals, and the need keeps growing. The lodge procured both the Spotlight and Beacon grants from the Elks National Foundation to help Hands for Homeless  purchase a much-needed used truck, as their current truck has been repaired with duct tape. 

Pictured at the check presentation are Ronna Mason, PER; Jonathan Spiegel, Exalted Ruler; Jane Breylinger, executive director; Jacob Lyons, chef; Diane Morse, Loyal Knight; Ed Rivere, truck driver; Tamara Figueroa, communications coordinator; and Paul Bermudez, volunteer.