Southwest Central District

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Written by Ronna Mason

Sebring Lodge observed Flag Day June 13 by presenting a ritual of the eight American flags from the 1776 pine tree flag to the 50-star flag. Sebring's Boy Scout Troop #846 carried in the flags. Participating were 1st Class Ronnie McMahon, Tenderfoot Jeremiah Stone, Scout Cameron Beach, Troop Leader Bob Diefendorf (15 years as a scout leader), and Leader Mike Morse (former Life Scout). The Lodge treated the troop family to dinner prior to the ceremony. Diane Morse, Sebring Elks Loyal Knight, was pleased to experience this event with her grandson, Jeremiah, and son, Mike. Jeremiah and Cameron also participated in a Drug Awareness presentation given by the Lodge Drug Awareness Chair, Judy Hanson PER.

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Written by Mark Vargo Sr., PER

On April 10, Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 held its third annual clay shoot fundraiser at FishHawk Sporting Clays in Lithia, Florida, to benefit Boy Scout Troop #627, which the lodge sponsors. This event was nearly at full capacity with 62 shooters. A great number of generous local businesses were sponsors of the event. The event started with the Boy Scouts Color Guard presenting the colors and with all the scouts, Elks members and participants saying the Pledge of Allegiance. The scouts then took their positions at the stations to operate the clay machines for the shooters. Each shooter shot a total of 50 targets from eight stations. While the shooting was underway, some lodge members were busy preparing the lunch to be served to the nearly 100 attendees. After participants and guests were fed, awards for first, second and third place and top shooters were presented. After expenses, the fundraising event raised more than $7,600 for the troop, which will be used to pay the scouts’ summer camp fees and to purchase needed tents and equipment. Elks members pictured are Ed Campbell; Jack Scaglione; Nickie Wells, PER; Lou Valencia; Nelson Guggino; Gary Brooks; Mark Vargo, PER; John Adkinson; Jim Randall, presenting the check; Gardner Box; Kirk Pennywitt; and Sam Ferlita. Boy Scouts in the back row are Kathleen Brigati, Frank Ferruzzi, Wyatt Gill, Joshua Taylor and Alex Wagner. In the front are Dominic DeMuro; Jonah Sorrells; John Taylor; Lorrin Wagner, scoutmaster; and Nick Wagner, receiving the check.

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Written by Ronna Mason

On April 24, Sebring Lodge hosted its first bass fishing tournament on Lake Jackson to raise money for the lodge’s general fund. Volunteers gathered raffle prizes and sponsors; worked the bake sale; cooked lunch consisting of hot dogs, hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches; and promoted and advertised this event. Music was provided by the California Toe Jam Band. During the event, Drug Awareness and membership were stressed. First place winners were Matt Thompson and Kendall Ogg. Pictured is Judy Hanson, PER handing out Drug Awareness ribbons and coloring books to children. Also pictured are lodge members Rob Lipscomb and Joe Stockenberg with their catches.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

Brandon Lodge members Sharon Hammersla, District Vice President; Mary Lou Scribner, PER; and Robin Rutzke, Veterans Chair, hosted their third drive-thru drop-off March 20 from 8 a.m. to noon to make it easy for lodge members to be involved and contribute to their community. Members were asked to drop off food donations and/or gift cards to local restaurants and/or grocery stores. All donated food was contributed to the local food bank sponsored by Nativity Church and all gift cards were donated during a presentation to the Captain of Brandon’s fire department, Fire Station 18. Thirty-five members and five non-Elks stopped by to make their contributions. Even out-of-town Elks (Steve Lischalk of Hopkins Lodge #2221 and Roger Bjornberg of Burlington Lodge #916) staying at the lodge’s RV park walked over to make their contributions. The drive collected 433 pounds of food that Hammersla later dropped off at the Nativity Food Bank warehouse. Scribner said she was proud of the generosity of Brandon members; 30 gift cards with a total value of $600 were donated. Rutzke shared, “There is more to this than just collecting food and gift cards for our community. It is also a much-needed opportunity for Elk members to just get out and visit as many of our members are still self-quarantined and limiting their outside exposure. With a drive-by, they can stay in their cars, we unload, and we can stand outside and just chat.” Hammersla stated that she visited with members she’s never seen before because they are members who were installed right before the pandemic hit. These newer members said they were happy to be able to do something positive for the community. Pictured are Rutzke, Lischalk, Bjornberg and Hammersla. Pictured with a vehicle full of donations and displaying gift cards are Scribner, Hammersla, and Mary Lou Schreck, Lodge Secretary.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

With a total of $7,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and matching funds from the Florida State Elks Association, Brandon Lodge made monetary donations to four schools and two food banks. The lodge has partnered with these six organizations supporting their needs with funds from the Beacon Grant for the past several years. This year, because of the pandemic, rather than purchasing specific items on their behalf, the schools, food banks and lodge agreed that the organizations and the community would be best served by providing monetary funds so the schools and food banks could purchase and distribute what is needed by their organizations to help their students and community during the pandemic. On Feb. 15, representatives from Yates Elementary School, Burnett Middle School, Mango Elementary School and Willis Peters Exceptional Center School were invited to the lodge to receive a $1,000 check. Representatives from Echo Food Pantry and Nativity Food Pantry were also invited to receive a $1,500 check. Members were present to share in the support of these organizations and to show them appreciation for what they do for the community. Pictured are Mark Vargo, Exalted Ruler; Lisa Varnum, Yates principal; Vaniece Johnson, Yates social worker; Valerie Newton, Burnett principal; Sabriba Ruiz, Mango principal; Lisa Hendricks, Willis Peters Exceptional Center principal; Sabrina Thompson, Echo Food Pantry representative; Judi and Phil Bodinet, Nativity Food Pantry representatives; and Sharon Hammersla, PER, Southwest Central District Vice President.