Plant City Teams with Community to Aid The Bahamas Hurricane Survivors

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Written by Judy Wise

On Sept. 14, Plant City Lodge Exalted Ruler, Ron Johns, along with member Judy Wise and her granddaughter Charlise, joined forces with the local Lions Club and Woman’s Club along with the help of local high school students to collect items for The Bahamas survivors of Hurricane Dorian. As a result of teaming with the community, the group filled a large rental moving truck that transported the much needed items to the local small airport where the Aviation Club donated their private planes and fuel and transported the goods to The Bahamas. Approximately $8,000 in donated goods was collected. The combined expenses of the plane transportation and fuel donation by the Aviation Club was approximately $5,000. Eight Elks worked shifts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. They set up a drop-off collection point at the parking lot of the Southern Hospitality and Hardee’s restaurant on Collins Street in Plant City, Fla. The lodge was instrumental in pulling the community together and combining forces to aid The Bahamas survivors who are in desperate need after the hurricane.

Sebring Lodge Donates Mosquito-Repellent Soap to The Bahamas

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Written by Ronna Mason

On Sept. 7, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 participated in the collection of supplies heading to The Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Items were trucked to St. Petersburg, Fla., and then flown to the islands. Lodge members Reggie Lemmen and Ronna Mason were instrumental in procuring of 584 bars of OSANA © mosquito repellent bars of soap donated by the OSANA company. These bars are meant to assist in the prevention of mosquito-borne illnesses other illnesses caused by the lack of sanitation.

South Lake Lodge Raises $15,000 for Major Projects with Floating Poker Run

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Written by Russ Smith

On June 1, South Lake Elks Lodge #1848 held its first of what will be an annual event – a floating poker run on the Chain of Lakes in Clermont, Fla. The community involvement was immense with local businesses and individuals coming together to raise money and awareness for the Florida Elks Youth Camp and Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services. After expenses, the total donation was $15,141. There were 42 boats registered and approximately 300 participants, members and prospective members alike. The event also resulted in 16 applications for membership.

Pictured at the donation presentation from South Lake Lodge to FEYC and FECTS June 19 are (front row) Mendy Bacon, event organizer; Colleen Gallant, FECTS Director; and Denise Kalman-Smith, Exalted Ruler. In the middle row are Lavida McNeil, Lynette Turner, Lisa Scott and Bea Meeks, board of directors member. In the back are Adam Morgan; Nicky Bacon; Russ Smith, North Central District Vice President; and Len Cremissio, Leading Knight.

Cape Coral Lodge Celebrates 40 Years with 5K for FECTS

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Written by Richard Kampf, PER

On June 8, Cape Coral Elks Lodge #2596 celebrated its 40th anniversary by hosting its second annual 5K run/walk. They also held an open house and had a ceremonial cake-cutting ceremony with Past Exalted Rulers, lodge officers and charter members. Proceeds of $1,000 from the event will benefit Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services. The lodge also gained 22 members.

Attending the Cape Coral Lodge 40th anniversary are Kathleen Kovach, Treasurer; Jim Fraser, Leading Knight; Cathy Reilly, Chaplain; Edward Broderick, Secretary; Joan Foye, PER; Rosemarie Fallon, PER; Rich Kampf, PER and Exalted Ruler; Tom Bellini, charter member and trustee; Mary Ellis, PER; John Nugent, Loyal Knight; Daniel Keating, PER; far background, Gary Downs, Tiler; and Kenneth Kovach, board of directors chairman.

National ENF MVS Scholarship Recipient Visits Fort Myers Lodge

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Written by Diane Hendrick

On May 8, Elks National Foundation MVS scholarship winner Jake Mann visited Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 to thank the members for sponsoring him and giving him the opportunity to apply for the scholarship. He was in the top 20 nationally and will receive $20,000 over the next four years. He plans to attend Duke University in the fall. He recently returned from Chicago where he enjoyed a weekend with fellow scholarship winners at the sixth annual leadership conference. The scholarship recipients bonded over their diversity and shared their ambitious goals for the future. He is pictured with Exalted Ruler, Melba McCleave.

Sebring Lodge Supports SunTrust Foundation for Victims' Families

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Written by Sebring Elks

Members of Sebring Lodge wanted to make a donation to the SunTrust Foundation to aid the families of the five women who were killed by a gunman at a SunTrust bank in Sebring, Fla., in January. The lodge held a charity breakfast that was open to the public with all proceeds going to the families through the SunTrust Foundation. More than 30 volunteers set up and broke down the dining rooms and bar area, cooked, cleaned the kitchen, kept the dining tables cleared, served drinks, made coffee, kept the omelet stations flowing, acted as cashier, and served as hostesses who efficiently seated attendees. Including the $1,000 lodge pledge from monies donated by their Sunday and Monday night bingo players, the 439 paying customers at the breakfast, and the generous tips and donations, Sebring Lodge donated more than $7,000 to the SunTrust Foundation.