West Central District

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Written by Rita Smith

Tampa Lodge’s Elks National Foundation Impact Grant project, Club Chivalry, met Nov. 9; the guest speaker was lodge member Roshaun Gendrett, who was an educator in California and who is now running for school board. He spoke about what students need to succeed in school and he explained the role of the school board. He was well-received by the students. Club T-shirts were also given to the students at no charge to them. On Nov. 10, the club took a field trip to Kaiser University.

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Written by Rita Smith

On Oct. 11, Tampa Lodge was welcomed back on the Robinson High School campus to assist with the lodge-sponsored Club Chivalry. There were 49 students in attendance despite a program rehearsal held at the same time. At the beginning of the meeting, students were called for refreshments by grade and they could sign up for their T-shirts. Then lodge member Rita Smith spoke about the Elks lodge and their history at Robinson and told the students about two great community service opportunities in the neighborhood. Club president, Andrea, then explained the rules of the team-building game, which involved popping balloons while wearing mittens (some participants pictured).

Pictured are the game’s winner receiving a $10 Dunkin gift card from Andrea, club president.

Also pictured is October’s $25 gift card drawing, George Daniel, along with Xavier Oliver.

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Written by Rita Smith

On Oct. 7, Tampa Lodge members sorted and stuffed drug awareness bags for the two elementary schools that agreed to distribute Elks Drug Awareness Program materials to their students. Drug Awareness Lodge Chair, Tommy Moore, delivered the supplies Oct. 18 to Westshore Elementary and Lanier Elementary. Both schools are Title 1 and were glad to have the supplies in advance of Red Ribbon Week. 

Pictured packing bags are Lorraine Leung; Sharon Ford; Tristin Reiber; Joe LoCicero, Leading Knight; Bonnie Atwood, Melissa Bertoch, Esquire; and Tommy Moore, trustee and Drug Awareness Lodge Chair. Taking the picture is Rita Smith.

Also pictured are Katherine Patteson, Westshore Elementary secretary, and Kaydee Wurst, Lanier secretary, and Lisa Henry, the principal’s secretary, receiving the bags from Moore.

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Written by Rita Smith

On Sept. 18, Tampa Elks Lodge #708, led by member and camp volunteer Shannon Wheatly, used part of the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to host a water safety day for the campers and staff at Camp Idlewild of Florida. This is a new camp for children with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. They have weeklong sessions during the summer and weekend sessions during the rest of the year. The morning began with the 16 campers receiving drug awareness information, and Paul DeLand, Exalted Ruler, giving a short speech explaining why the Elks always care. The Elks provided the camp with life jackets in child and adult sizes, safety lines with buoys and anchors, and sunblock. They also provided lifeguard supplies including hats, vests, whistles and rescue tubes. The Elks also brought in a water safety instructor from the YMCA, Hannah Davis, to teach all the campers and staff how to keep things safe in both the lake and the pool. After the lessons, all the kids jumped into the lake or the nearby individually owned swimming pool to check out the supplies. The campers spent about two hours at the waterfront before transitioning back to the main camp to get cleaned up for a barbecue which was also provided, cooked and served by the Elks. The event ended with birthday cupcakes to honor camp founder, Eileen Roach.

Pictured are campers in the lake supervised by lifeguards.

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Written by Rita Smith

The Tampa Lodge-sponsored Club Chivalry held its first club meeting of the school year Sept. 13 during seventh period in the cafeteria at Robinson High School. This school year’s club president, Andrea Ramiakhan, in consultation with the other officers, worked with Rita Smith, lodge grant coordinator, for several weeks regarding refreshments, the agenda and the team-building game supplies for the meeting. Although several lodge volunteers were ready to help during the meeting, the school did not yet allow volunteers on campus, so Smith simply dropped off the supplies purchased using the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Impact Grant. There are currently 80 students in the club, and 52 attended the first meeting. COVID illnesses and possible scheduling conflicts accounted for the missing students. However, there were still more students than there were at any meeting last year. School sponsor, Ms. Hand, said, “we really missed you and the other Elks yesterday. It is very apparent how much you all add to our meetings.”

Pictured are students working on the team-building activity and enjoying refreshments.

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Written by Diane Sharp

Largo Lodge #2159 held a drive for school supplies for two local elementary schools. Lodge members donated $881 worth of school supplies including pencils, binders, glue sticks, crayons and more. Volunteers then sorted and delivered the supplies to Mildred Helms Elementary and Ponce De Leon Elementary.

Pictured at Mildred Helms Elementary are Sandy Fitzgerald, new member; Shannon Brennan, principal; and Sarah Golden, new member.

Pictured at Ponce De Leon Elementary are Lisa Surace, school staff member; Mabel Leonowicz and Robin Najduch, new members; and Kristin Davis, school staff member.