West Central District

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Written by Barbara Rodgers

While packing school supplies, members of New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284 had an idea. Instead of handing out food, hygiene products, insect repellant and drug awareness materials in plastic store bags to those experiencing homelessness, they decided that it would be more helpful to provide somewhere to keep their belongings as well. It has been well received by the recipients and the officers of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office who distribute the backpacks. The lodge plans to make this a continuing project. Pictured July 9 are Barbara Rodgers, Exalted Ruler; Margaret Smith; Walter Weishaar Jr.; Rebecca Soto; Mikki Scamoffa and Pauline Moreno packing the supplies. Pictured at delivery are Bryan Fischer, Rebecca Soto, Barbara Rodgers and Anthony Graham.

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Written by Kim Debois

On Aug. 4, Holiday Isles Lodge provided approximately $1,000 worth of school supplies in backpacks for students in grades K through 12 to Santa’s Angels. This organization helps students from low-income families in Pinellas County, including students at the Boolean School who are disadvantaged. Funding was provided by the lodge charitable account. Lodge volunteers separated backpacks by age and loaded corresponding school supplies.

Pictured are Wally Henderson, Santa's Angels representative and lodge member, and Rhonda Smith, PER.

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Written by Kim Debois

For the last four years, Holiday Isles Elks Lodge #1912 has conducted an annual day of cardboard boat races. Sailors make waterproof cardboard boats, which they then get in to race. Twenty-two volunteer Elks and five non-Elks helped by selling tickets, T-shirts, and food and beverages; registering participants; helping them safely enter their cardboard boats; acting as emcees; and operating two motorboats in the water for safety patrol and sometimes pulling out disintegrated boats and their sailors. On July 3, 10 sailors participated in the race and most of them managed to make it back to the dock. The event netted $3,243.21 and approximately half of this was donated to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, which supports Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services and the Florida Elks Youth Camp. The remainder went to lodge expenses and the building fund to help with the damage from a storm.

Pictured is lodge member and cardboard boat race participant Richard DeBlasio.

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Written by May Graci

Fourteen-year-old twins Tyler and Tanner attended their final Florida Elks Youth Camp summer camp session this summer; this year they attended a 14-day session. They have attended several previous years’ summer camp sessions as well. St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 and member Johnny Miller each sponsored a week’s attendance for each boy ($360 per week for both boys). The Ladies of Elks Auxiliary also donated $200 to assist with buying new clothing for summer camp. Tanner and Tyler were excited to attend the summer camp 2020 season for their last time at age 13, but that summer camp had to be canceled due to the pandemic, so they were allowed to attend this year at age 14. Pictured are Tyler and Tanner.

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Written by May Graci

On June 17, St. Petersburg Lodge was given seven sets of bedding from the REST initiative of P.E.S.T. Relief International (Professionals Empowering, Sustaining and Transforming), a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2013 by Andrea Hancock. The bedding was donated to Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services to be distributed by the therapists to patients who need it most. The value of the bedding was $735. Each set included new pillowcases and sheets, a luxury baby blanket, and mattress encasements to provide a safe and sanitary place to sleep. The REST initiative entails providing clean bedding and pest control to shelters and orphanages. In 2004, Hancock started Mattress Safe Inc., a company that manufactures mattress covers. Pictured are Toni Goodrich, PDD, Lodge Secretary, and Hancock.

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Written by New Port Richey Elks

New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284 celebrated Flag Day June 14 with a flag presentation, followed by a light lunch. Pictured are Barbara Rodgers, Exalted Ruler; Becky Soto, Secretary; Margaret Smith, Loyal Knight; Gloria Tyler, treasurer; and Lainey Krachtus, trustee.