West Central District

Details

Written by Patty Volpe

On Dec. 19, Tampa Lodge hosted a pirate-themed children’s Christmas party. Some funding came from the lodge charity account, the Walgreens toy collection and a $150 Publix donation, but most funding came from generous donations of lodge members. There were 108 children and 78 parents who registered to attend. Numerous member and nonmember volunteers made the party a success. Each table had a volunteer to assist the families in the crafts and games. There were pirate ships, pirate hats, a Captain Hook game and a cannonball toss game. Shelagh Gombarcik, PER and the Ladies of Elks hosted a treasure hunt game in which the children had to find Tampa Lodge on a map. There were lots of prizes given away and Melissa Bertoch, chaplain, kept the fun going as she let each table’s winners compete for a grand prize winner by age group. Santa (Paul DeLand, Exalted Ruler) was escorted in by pirates from the Krewe of Sir Francis Drake thanks to new member, Rodney Kayton. They tossed beads to the children while Santa made his way to his chair. Each child visited with Santa and received a gift from member Candy Venable, Santa’s trusted elf. Member Kim Van Walker took each child’s picture with Santa. All the children who came in pirate attire were given a new Buccaneers flag, which were donated by member Jason Brown. The Drug Awareness committee provided coloring books and bags to all the children and committee member Ray Hendricks announced the poster contest. During the event, parents were invited back to the Antler room to shop for at least four gifts for each of their children. They were invited to wrap, tag and bow the gifts with member Shannon Wheatley’s assistance before putting them in their vehicles and returning to the party. Table volunteers ensured everyone was still having fun while the parents were away. Dee Cisneros, PER; Tommy Moore, trustee; and Rita Smith, Leading Knight, made spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for everyone, and there were ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

Pictured are Santa and three family members.

Details

Written by New Port Richey Elks

On Nov. 10, members of New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284 packed and distributed food for schoolchildren in need and for a veterans’ recovery home. The lodge purchased the food with its Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant.

Pictured are Becky Soto, Lodge Secretary; Bob Mohrle, Lecturing Knight; and Margaret Smith, Loyal Knight.

Details

Written by Rita Smith

On Dec. 9, Tampa Lodge donated $1,000 from its charity funds to Holy Trinity Lutheran School in south Tampa, Florida, to purchase library books for the fourth and fifth grade students. Presenting the check are Rita Smith, Leading Knight, and Suzanne Moore, Lecturing Knight. Moore brought this need to the lodge’s attention as she is a teacher's assistant at the school. Accepting the check are Sue McColgan, librarian and art instructor, and Kelly Reilly, principal.

Details

Written by Rita Smith

On Nov. 18, Tampa Lodge’s Club Chivalry sponsored an “on-campus” field trip in conjunction with the Great American Teach-In, previously known as Career Day. Every school in the district holds it on the same day and invites community members to discuss their careers with students. The club offered breakfast before students explored career opportunities by visiting booths in the gym. There were about 20 tables set up with various employees, including a barista, a lawyer, active-duty military, college recruiters, EMTs and more. Afterward, guests, mostly lodge members, spoke about their careers. Patty Volpe, Youth Activities Chair, discussed how she arrived at her career at CCS Medical, a diabetic supply company. Shelagh Gombarcik, PER talked about careers in the hospitality industry. Betty Orcutt, PLP told them about her route into nursing. Edie Hanley, Inner Guard, interested them in a career in the prison system, especially the possibility of early retirement. The group then had lunch followed by team-building activities. Pictured is Shelagh Gombarcik, PER.

Details

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.

Details

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.