Southwest Central District

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On Oct. 2, Sebring Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, Jonathan Spiegel, and PER Wainetta Holmes thanked the charity bingo players for their continued support of Hands for Homeless by donating food each week. Hands for Homeless is a nonprofit organization in Avon Park, Florida, which provides hot meals, food items, and clothing and toiletry items to community members in need or who are homeless.

Pictured are members Jonathan Spiegel and Diane Morse, Rev. Bill Breylinger and member Billy Brown loading food into a van. 

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Written by Mary Kay Burns

On June 14, Arcadia Elks Lodge #1524 partnered with St. Edmunds Episcopal Church this year to celebrate Flag Day, as the lodge is still undergoing repairs due to Hurricane Ian. The event was open to the public, and the BSA troop, sponsored by Amvets Post #60, displayed the seven flags depicting the flag’s evolution.

Pictured are the lodge officers in the ceremony: Sam McLeod; Mary Kay Burns; Brian Burns, PSP; Robert Vaughn, PER; Nancy Higginbotham, PDD; Marilyn May; and Bill May.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On May 20, the Sebring Fire Department held its sixth Bicycle Rodeo and Splash Day for children in Highlands County, Florida. The event focuses on children's bicycle safety while practicing their skills and getting their helmets and bikes inspected. Members of Sebring Lodge donated 33 new bicycles to be presented to children who needed them. Some members donated bicycles while others donated money, which the lodge used to purchase more bicycles and then assemble them. The day also included basketball games, a bicycle obstacle course, playing in the water from multiple firetruck sprayers, and sliding down an inflatable slide.

Pictured in front of the lodge are Austin Maddox, Chuck Piper, Tad Little, Rafael Ramos, Mike Bacevic, Jacob Figur, Mike Carr and Clayton Johnson from SFD. Jonathan Spiegel, Exalted Ruler, is standing in the back.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On May 12, Sebring Lodge presented two $1,000 scholarships to Lewis Drummond, a senior from Avon Park High School who will be attending the University of Central Florida, and Adrienne Perez from Sebring High School who will be attending South Florida State College. The lodge also presented Julia Hartt, an eighth grader from Sebring Middle School, a check for $250 from the lodge and a check for $500 from the Florida State Elks Association for her Americanism essay, which won third place in the state contest and was submitted to the national contest. Linda Lakes, her teacher, was given a $100 check to thank her for her class participation. All recipients and their families were treated to a steak dinner.

Pictured with Jonathan Spiegel, Exalted Ruler, are Julia Hartt and Linda Lakes.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

Brandon Lodge held its quarterly drive-through food drive May 20, managed this day by Robin Rutzke, Veterans Chair and Lecturing Knight; Sharon Hammersla, PDD; and Mary Lou Scribner, PER. Lodge members donated 431 pounds of much-needed food along with boxes of magazines, which Rutzke delivers to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. The food donations go to the Nativity Catholic Church Food Pantry. Pantry volunteer and Brandon Past Lady President, Julie Ebert, said that these donations are invaluable in helping the food pantry meet the needs of the community. She shared that just that same day as the lodge food drive, the pantry had 200 cars arrive at the pantry for food donations. 

Pictured are Sharon Hammersla, PDD, and Robin Rutzke with Joyce Sheely, middle, a new member of just 3 months who came by with donations.

Also pictured at Nativity food pantry are volunteer Mike; Sharon Hammersla, PDD; Julie Ebert, Past Lady President and pantry volunteer; and Charlene Hart, Elk and Ladies member.