Southwest Central District

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Written by East Polk Elks

On Dec. 15, East Polk Elks Lodge #2882 hosted a Christmas party for the children from the Light House School for the Visually Impaired from Winter Haven, Fla. They also invited the Silver Spurs Cloggers, a group which has children who would otherwise be unable to afford dance lessons. Both Elroy the Elk and Santa visited with the children and all children received a warm jacket or sweatshirt and at least one toy they wanted. The Winter Haven Police and Fire Department also visited the lodge to give demonstrations to the children.

Santa (Kenny Jenkins) visits with children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15 while member Mary Lou Collins assists.

Elroy the Elk (Boone Deyo) greets children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner

Brandon Lodge adopted eight families with a total of 17 children and made sure these families enjoyed a wonderful Christmas. On Dec. 18 there was plenty of Christmas spirit at the lodge with Christmas carols playing while elves wrapped gifts. Grandchildren of lodge members were sharing in the merriment and learning first-hand what Elks do! This is an annual tradition, and each year, families are sought that have fallen on hard times. Marionette Sexton, Lecturing Knight, chairs this event. Lodge members choose a child to adopt and purchase and wrap presents. An entire Christmas dinner is also provided to the families.

Brandon Lodge members Donald Harrison; Nancy Price, treasurer; and Nickie Wells, PER, trustee, wrap Christmas gifts Dec. 18 at the lodge for local families.

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Written by Judy Wise

The Plant City Police Department informed Plant City Lodge that they often deal with traumatized children and it is much easier if they have a stuffed animal to give to them to help calm them. If the children are placed into foster care, the children usually only bring a few personal items with them because they are removed from the home with nothing but the clothes on their back. Exalted Ruler, Ron Johns, donated a large amount of new stuffed toy animals for the police department to carry in their cars.

Ron Johns, Plant City Exalted Ruler, presents stuffed animals to Plant City police officer Russell Fredrick to be given to children during stressful times.

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Written by Judy Wise

Plant City Elks Lodge member and Plant City police officer, Vince Wise, informed the lodge that while the Plant City Police had 25 squad cars with defibrillators, the batteries were all dead. Due to the hiring of additional officers, batteries were not in the budget. At a lodge meeting, members decided to apply for the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to purchase the very expensive batteries. Each battery with a quantity discount was $230. With the matching state grant, the lodge was still $750 short but it was made up by members David Brewington and J.J. Calhoun. On Dec. 12 at the lodge’s annual luncheon for the police department, the batteries were presented to Chief Ed Duncan. After lunch, the squad cars were lined up and lodge members installed all the batteries.

Pictured with three uniformed Plant City police officers (names unknown) as they receive defibrillator batteries from Plant City Lodge are Ron Johns, Exalted Ruler; David Brewington, board member; Judy Wise, District Veterans Services Chairman; J.J. Calhoun, member; Sgt. Bass, Plant City PD; and Police Chief, Ed Duncan.

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Written by Brandon Elks

Using the $5,000 from their Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and matching state funds, Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 gifted Burnett Middle School a much-needed and appreciated audio system for the school as well as civics test preparation software. Teacher Matthew Kiati had been bringing in his equipment from home for special events. The staff is overjoyed with the assistance and new community partnership and the students were happily surprised when the new system was used for a dance a few days after the presentation Dec. 10.

Pictured are (front) assistant principals Stacey Schbarbarum and Terrella Brooks; principal, Valerie Newton; teacher Matthew Kiati; and media specialist, Rosie Alfonso. In the middle are Past Exalted Rulers Christine Vogel, Sharon Hammersla and Mary Lou Scribner. At the top is District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler George Scribner.