On Oct. 25, PER Bob Roderick and his wife, Doris, of Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 purchased and donated a 65-inch TV to the Plant City Boys & Girls Club. Lodge members Tony Rivera, Mark Henderson and Ed Wise hung the large TV on the wall for the kids. Ed Wise, lodge trustee, reaped the benefits of attending a club in his youth so he knows firsthand the clubs’ benefits to children, and he is an advocate. He had visited the Plant City Boys & Girls Club and was amazed how much the club was in need and how little money the club had. There are 96 kids who go to the club after school each day. Their TV was broken and they did not have any books. Half of their 10 laptops used for the children to do their homework were broken. Ed Wise and Shelly Carroll, Leading Knight and Elks National Foundation Grant Coordinator, are working to obtain a grant to be able to offer the much-needed financial support. In the meantime, the lodge members are doing their best to offer assistance. One member’s neighbor donated 300 books. Ed Wise and several members built bookcases and are working with the city to try to get mulch for their playground. Member Judy Wise said they had no idea how much help is needed and see this as the beginning of building a lasting relationship with the club and a way to help their local youth.

Pictured are Tony Rivera, Mark Henderson and Ed Wise about to hang the TV.