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Written by Robert Erwin, PDD

On April 14, the Bradenton 1511 Elk Riders hosted a day of fundraising activities, including a raffle, silent auction and bike run, raising $14,600 for Cole Young, who was selected as the Riders’ Brain Injured Child (BIC) for 2023-2024. During the presentation, an additional $400 was collected to make an even $15,000 donation.

Pictured are Rita Skinner, Bradenton Lodge member and Cole’s neuro ICU nurse; Alex Burke, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge Rider; Sugar Conrad, South Hillsborough Lodge Exalted Ruler and Rider; Lincoin and Lelie Young; Cooper Young; Dan Tabor, PSP; Amy Smith and Cole Young; and Ron Duquet, Bradenton Lodge Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Cristin Rumler

For the past 60 years, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 has sponsored Sanford youth baseball teams. Each year the lodge donates a total of $1,000 to sponsor two teams, to be used for whomever needs it. Throughout the year, members attend the teams’ games and host an end-of-year celebration. This year’s celebration was different, because one of their teams, the Major Mets, was in the playoffs. Lodge members attended the April 27 game and set up tents at the field to provide pizza to the players and their families and invited their other sponsored team, the Rookie Red Sox, to attend as well.

Pictured are Julian Gavilanes, Major Mets coach; Bill Klinefelter, Little League lodge committee chair; and Mark Platt, Major Mets coach. Also pictured are some players’ jerseys with the lodge name on the back and all the members and volunteers who attended.

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Written by West Palm Beach Elks

West Palm Beach Elks Lodge’s Ladies Auxiliary sponsored a dinner dance to raise funds for ALS. The Wild Wild West themed event was held June 22 at the lodge and raised $1,000 for the ALS Association in Arlington, Virginia.

Pictured are Bob Josefsberg, lodge member; Patti Phillips, PDD; Gwen Lowery; Alice Sponaugle; Margret Marta; Ruth Youngbar; Pauline Talbott, FLOE State President; Barbara L’lorens; Lil Scammacca; Carol Limbaugh; Libby Dill; and Wendy Lombard. Also pictured is Talbott in jail until bail is paid for her release.

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Written by South Miami/Coral Gables Elks

On June 15, South Miami/Coral Gables Lodge held the second of four quarterly events for autism awareness. This event is funded by an Elks National Foundation Impact Grant. The event was a bingo game, hosted by the lodge in association with the University of Miami and the Nova Southeastern University CARD program (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities). The 85 attendees enjoyed two hours of bingo. Member Marty Furgang called the games and was assisted by volunteer Mike Chavez. Approximately 13 members volunteered to help at the event. Barry Wake, PDD, Esquire, arranged for his daughter, Nikki, a Miami-Dade police officer, to deliver the police autism awareness vehicle, which was displayed at the lodge entrance. After the game, everyone received complimentary pizza and soft drinks and was invited to the lounge for the third TOTS night (Talent of the Spectrum). As part of the Impact Grant, every third Saturday, the lodge holds an open mic talent show for CARD members, family members, caregivers and Elks. It gives CARD clients an opportunity to showcase their talents and to interact with Elks members. This also gives Elks a better understanding of autism and helps CARD members socialize.

Pictured are Marty Furgang and the Miami-Dade autism awareness police car.

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Written by Kathy Traina

On June 11, Largo Elks Lodge #2159 members Marcia Lowe, bar manager, and Jeanette Hammel, bartender, attended the Florida Police Chief Association awards banquet in Ponte Vedra Beach, where they, as representatives of Largo Lodge, along with Largo Police Officer Joel Quattlebaum, were the recipients of the State FPCA Operation Cooperation Award from the Police Association. Each year, the bartenders hold a blind auction in November, and all the proceeds go to the Largo Police. This partnership of the Largo Police Senior Services and the lodge has served to create an emergency assistance program fund that helps safeguard Largo seniors in need of assistance during calls for service. They have helped an elderly man who had Alzheimer’s by providing a new GPS bracelet so that he can be found quickly if he wanders. They have re-sided homes, bought groceries and medications, and paid deposits for seniors experiencing homelessness so they could get into an apartment and have a place to live. Officer Quattlebaum acts as auctioneer and lodge members bid on wrapped items without knowing what is in them to raise money for this partnership. The auctions have raised $5,000 each year for the past two years. Largo is the only police force in the state that has this Senior Citizens Department. The police chief was so proud of Officer Quattlebaum for receiving this unique award and said that he wants to see this become a statewide program where every department has a Senior Citizens Department. He also said his hometown will be starting this program.

Pictured are Marcia Lowe, Largo Elks bar manager; Officer Joel Quattlebaum, Largo Police; and Jeanette Hammel, bartender.

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Written by Jerry Harrington, PER

On June 12, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 held an Antlers graduation banquet for their senior Antlers graduating high school. The lodge provided and served an Italian dinner and presented seven graduating seniors with $500 each to be used as they wish. Jerry Harrington commented, “This group of kids were awesome ambassadors for our lodge over the last three years. They helped us leave a bigger footprint in our community.”

Pictured are the seniors as well as other Antlers and parents; Eric Enrique, right, Antlers sponsor; and Heidi Vargas, middle of middle row, Antlers sponsor.