Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 is very active with the Welcome Home Kit program for veterans and Manatee Veterans Village in Bradenton, Florida. In April 2021, the lodge assisted veteran Scott by delivering a Welcome Home Kit to him with items he needed for his new home. At the delivery, lodge members met his daughter, Sophie. In early December, lodge members Mike and Marilyn Veno contacted Jim Klocke, Veterans Lodge Chair, about donating a slightly used bicycle to a person in need for Christmas. Jim Klocke had just the right person in mind for it — Sophie! Klocke contacted her father and made the arrangements to deliver the bike to her.

Pictured Christmas morning is Sophie thrilled to receive her first bicycle.