Southwest Central District

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Written by Sharon Hammersla

Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 has found that a project originally started to give their members the opportunity to participate in a community activity during the time the lodge was closed for the pandemic has proven to be a great success and so it continues as a quarterly event. Quarterly member participation includes Rick Weigand, PER who unlocks the lodge; member Beth Benham who advertises; member Kathy Brogli who creates the flyers; the Brandon Ladies of the Elks and the RV park residents who contribute; and Robin Rutzke, lodge Veterans Chair, and Sharon Hammersla, District Deputy, who work the quarterly lodge outdoor drop-off and greet and thank the donors. In addition, Ethan and Brodie McAlister, students who are neighbors of Rutzke, have been volunteering as well. They unload the donations and organize and put them in a vehicle for Monday deliveries to a local food pantry and to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. They have worked three drop-offs so far. The community spirit and hard work is greatly appreciated. Member Ken Muzyk continuously supports this quarterly event and donated 20 puzzles for veterans. Member Donald Harrison donated 23 can openers. Rich Clark, a member of Seattle, Washington, Elks Lodge #92, and his friend, Karen McArthur, winter residents of the Brandon RV Park, donated 30 pounds of dog food. This most recent drive Nov. 13 brought in over 800 pounds of nonperishable food in addition to monetary donations of $160 and other items collected for veterans. Pictured are Brodie McAlister, Robin Rutzke, Ethan McAlister, Rich Clark, Karen McArthur, and Sharon Hammersla.

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Written by Rick Littlejohn

On Dec. 11, Lakeland Lodge held a special Christmas celebration for the children from James J. Musso Boys and Girls Club of Lakeland, Florida. There were crafts, pony rides, a bounce house, balloon artist and games for the children. Each child received clothes and multiple gifts as well. Pizza was served for lunch along with punch and dessert. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Elroy the Elk joined in the festivities and helped make it a memorable Christmas celebration for these children. For the lodge members, it was a heartwarming experience and seeing the smiles on the children's faces and the excitement in their voices was priceless. There was also a giving tree with suggestions for gifts for the kids who could not attend the party. These gifts were later taken to the Boys & Girls Club to be distributed to other children in need from the club and to supply the club's store for the year. Lodge member Sandy Bates had hosted his birthday party at the lodge and unselfishly requested donations to the Boys & Girls Club in lieu of birthday gifts, which is how more than $5,700 was collected to help make this event possible. The lodge also held a wrapping party Dec. 8 with 25 lodge members and 10 non-member guests.

Pictured with the children are Elroy the Elk, Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus.

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Written by Ronna Mason

After reading an article in the Highlands Today about the Avon Park High School's Changing the World One Student at a Time program, the Sebring Elks Lodge Board of Directors was very impressed. The two teachers who are working together to focus on social emotional learning (SEL) and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) are Allison Rapp and Bo Jackson. Rapp, who is also a lodge member, was invited to do a presentation about the program to the board. She explained that mental health and positive social behavior are as important as academic learning. Students are rewarded for positive actions and when they go above and beyond in making the world a better place. They are rewarded with RED bucks (Respectful, Engaged & Disciplined) and can be redeemed for snacks or recreational time in the Red Zone recreational room. Pictured at the lodge Nov. 15 are Allison Rapp and Wainetta Holmes, Exalted Ruler, who presented a $500 check to Rapp to help with the program.

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Written by Sher Thrush

On Oct. 8, Lakeland Lodge went totally pink for their annual cancer fundraiser, from their street sign lit with pink lights to everything inside. The 2019 event raised a record amount of more than $12,000 for Hollis Cancer Center and they never thought they could surpass that. The pandemic didn’t allow for an event in 2020 but they still raised more than $3,000. Then came 2021 with a new record of more than $20,000.00. Many new members joined the event team this year, which is a yearlong process led by Sher Thrush. Also helping were Shannon Benzel and Penny Deig, who handled the raffle of more than 40 baskets. Cindy Ayers took on the silent auction, overseeing an enormous list of donated items donated. With so many great items, including an antique Elks ring, an autographed baseball jersey, and a plane trip and picnic, Arcadia Lodge member Ricky Mercer agreed to auctioneer a live auction. Cindy Green headed the tub of cheer. Centerpieces and decorating were done and donated by Jan and Britt Watson and Jan’s mother. Bob Max and his team provided a prime rib dinner. AnnMarie Wendel made and donated all the desserts, which were all pink. Each year emotions run high as survivors stand and are celebrated and those currently fighting this disease are supported. Those who have lost the fight are remembered; as Elks say, “never forgotten, never forsaken.” Always a highlight is the Brotherhood of Pinkness fashion show, Puttin’ on the Pink. Pictured are the shows volunteers: Carl Hutchcraft, Alex Miller, Bob Fuschetti, Jeff Morse, Gerry Deig, Ricky Mercer, Joey Santos, Jamie Cook, Rick Littlejohn, Dave Waller and Ricky Ayers.

Also pictured are those at the check presentation — Tim Dench, Hollis Cancer Center; John Mathison, Exalted Ruler; Stephanie Butler, LPN; Thiera Hargrove, RN; Sher Thrush, lodge member and event organizer; and Jodi Ridley, director of Lakeland Regional Health Care Foundation.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

Lakeland Lodge is an ongoing supporter of the annual Brotherhood Ride. This year's ride was extra special, as it was a ride from Florida to New York City for the 9/11 20th anniversary memorial events. The lodge hosted the riders overnight Aug. 22, cooked them dinner and breakfast, and supplied showering facilities. They also held a fundraiser that raised more than $4,200 for the riders and families of fallen first responders.