West Central District

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Written by Patty Volpe

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On Dec. 21, the Tampa Elks Lodge Youth Activities team held its annual children’s Christmas party. This year’s theme was Breakfast with Santa. Volunteers shopped, sorted, and organized toys and supplies. The night before the party, the dining room transformed into a workshop, with every present arranged by age group. The event hosted 92 children from 38 families for breakfast. Many guests arrived in festive pajamas, as the invitation noted. Each child received a Christmas cup with a lid and straw. As families settled in, they were entertained with seated activities while awaiting breakfast and Santa’s arrival. Breakfast included pancakes, sausage, cereals, muffins and doughnuts. When Santa made his grand entrance, smiles lit up the room. Each child who visited Santa received a gift and had their photo taken. This year’s activities included two hands-on crafts: decorating Santa hats with names and glitter glue and creating homemade Santa snow globes. Meanwhile, parents slipped away to the on-site Christmas “store,” which was stocked entirely with donated and purchased toys. Families could choose three gifts per child, with volunteers available for gift-wrapping support. Once gifts were secured and hidden away in car trunks, families reunited for a final round of fun, a lively bingo session filled with prizes and laughter. This year’s celebration was made possible with 36 volunteers. Member Kristina Chowning coordinated several Plant High School student volunteers to help wrap gifts. From Elks to community friends, the support was overwhelming.

Pictured are Norma Samlal, an attendee choosing gifts, and student volunteers; Plant High School volunteers  wrapping presents; member Mike Volpe and volunteers Danielle Carlson and Vielka Gordon; and family attendees Karen Williams, Anthony Williams, Ashton Sweet, Browen Sweet, and Josyah Roman.

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Written by Tarpon Springs Elks

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On Jan. 9, Tarpon Springs Police Department announced that it had purchased five electric bicycles for its bike patrol fleet. They were first used Jan. 6 at the Epiphany celebration. Individuals, businesses and organizations made donations toward this purchase, including Tarpon Springs Elks Lodge #1719’s $1,000 donation. According to the press release, “Electric bicycles enable officers to patrol more efficiently in crowded, pedestrian-heavy areas, increasing visibility, improving response times, and fostering stronger community engagement.” Tarpon Springs Police Chief Jeffrey Young added, “Expanding our bike patrol and upgrading to electric bicycles was a goal we had set for 2026. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, this project became a reality much sooner than anticipated. We are grateful for the partnerships that help us continue to innovate and enhance public safety.”

Pictured is one of the new electric bicycles.

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Written by Pattie Cloud

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On Dec. 1, Holiday Isles Elks Lodge #1912 donated $750 to sponsor the 2026 Legends Never Die 5K in Madeira Beach, which will take place in April. This is an annual beach run/walk hosted by Madeira Beach Fire Department to raise mental health awareness for first responders, veterans and military personnel. It also honors those lost to PTSD and suicide while supporting survivors and funding programs like Operation Restore for post-trauma training. It is a community event on the sand with chip timing, prizes and family-friendly elements.

Pictured are members who participated in the 2025 event: Kate Leone; Paula DeBlasio, Secretary; Jon Leone; and Holly Leone.

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Written by Pattie Cloud

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On Dec. 4, Holiday Isles Elks Lodge #1912 donated $600 to Santa's Angels in Madeira Beach, which is part of Divine Charities, to provide essential needs to families at Christmas. This nonprofit organization provides year-round support, focusing heavily on Christmas gifts for children in need in Pinellas County. They also provide beds, food and essential items, relying on community donations and volunteers to bring holiday magic and essential support to local families.

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Written by Patty Volpe & Rita Smith, PER

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Tampa Elks Lodge uses its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to fund the Motivated Mustangs Club at Madison Middle School, now in its second year. Member Patty Volpe is the project manager. The club meets monthly during second lunch, and there are two planned field trips. The school sponsor is the school’s social worker, Tessa Hunziker; she chooses the students who need extra support to succeed and invites them to the club. At the Sept. 17 meeting, the students and members got to know each other. Members provided pizza and dessert, with sodas or water. Each student got a second round of pizza to go, too. Lamari was the raffle winner of a $25 Walmart gift card. Leftover pizza and drinks were sent to the teachers’ lounge. This school year, the Elks have set up a snack pantry in the guidance office for club students who miss free breakfast or lunch due to arriving late.

This month’s volunteers were Patty Volpe, program manager; Elks Rosann Garcia, Carolyn Miller, and Rita Smith, PER; Laura Bell, PTA president; and Shelagh Gombarcik, PER.

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Written by Pattie Cloud

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Members of Holiday Isles Elks Lodge #1912 donated $600 worth of schools supplies, which Karen Pera, Lodge Secretary, delivered Aug. 11 to the principals and vice principals of Bardmoor Elementary and Mount Park Elementary.