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Written by Brandon Elks

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On March 7, Robin Rutzke, Lodge Veterans Chair, and Sharon Hammersla, District Deputy, held their seventh quarterly drop-off for donations for the Nativity local food bank and the veterans at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. Thirty-two Elks and one guest stopped by to contribute 432 pounds of food with a net worth of approximately $864. All food was transported and donated to the Nativity food bank. Members also dropped off magazines that were donated to the recreational therapy department at the veterans hospital. One lodge member donated 10 boxes of her favorite thin mint Girl Scout cookies which were donated to Voluntary Services at the hospital. Rutzke works with the Voluntary Services Department to coordinate times for drop-offs and ensure thank you letters are written and sent. The department staff is always there to answer any questions. “They are the nucleus for donations and always have great attitudes,” Rutzke says.

The lodge’s Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant was used to purchase $750 in Olive Garden gift cards for the recreational therapy unit. These will be used for a luncheon for patients put on by the recreational therapy services team. Olive Garden is the gift card of choice because they will make the meals compatible to patient dietary needs. Prior to the pandemic, patients were guests at the monthly lodge dinner. In addition, a check for $738 from the Freedom Grant was presented and will be used for Zoom bingo and the annual picnic for the patients. Prior to the pandemic, this picnic was held at the lodge, but this year it will be held at the hospital. 

Hammersla notes, “Robin and I are grateful to the Brandon Elks and Ladies of the Elks for their continued generous support of this project. Brandon Lodge continues its efforts to build a strong lodge community. Our local food pantry and veterans are grateful for our support.”

Pictured with the food bank donations are Sharon Hammersla and Robin Rutzke.

Angela Reinhardt, Voluntary Service Specialist at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, is pictured with the donated Girl Scout cookies.

Pictured outside James A. Haley Veterans Hospital are Geoff Hopkins, Chief of Recreation Therapy; Robin Rutzke, Lodge Veterans Chair; and Anthony House, recreation therapist.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

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Throughout February, Green Cove Springs Lodge held a Comfort Campaign to collect new stuffed animals. Volunteers then individually wrapped each stuffed animal to keep them clean and organized. Thanks to the generosity of members and guests, the lodge presented 217 stuffed animals to the Green Cove Springs Police Department and Clay County Sheriff's Office. The officers keep these stuffed animals in their vehicles to offer comfort to the children they encounter on their calls. Law enforcement officers from each agency were guests of the lodge for dinner March 4, where they were presented with the toys.

Pictured are Patsy Weston, member; Emily Hughson, volunteer; Deputy Jenkins; Deputy Casper; Officer Rulon; Sergeant Perry; Chief Clark; and Tracy Carroll, PER.

Also pictured are lodge members and volunteers packing the stuffed animals and Sergeant Perry and Officer Rulon loading their vehicles with the stuffed animals.

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Written by Rita Smith

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On March 26, Titusville Elks Lodge #2113 awarded three $1,000 scholarships to deserving students. These funds were due to the generosity of lodge bingo players who donated throughout the year.

Cat Simkins, Lodge Scholarship Chair, is pictured with the students — Tim Nguyen, Titusville High School; Jamie Tucker, Astronaut High School; and Dimitrios Pribyl, Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. 

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Written by Lakeland Elks

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On March 5, Hollis Cancer Center held its annual Promise Run. Lakeland Lodge was recognized for its continued support and fundraising from its Puttin’ on the Pink events over the years. The lodge was asked to be a gold sponsor ($25,000) of the largest run in Lakeland because of their cumulative $36,000 in donations. With this sponsorship, the lodge was highly promoted in the packets sent to all the participants and on all the shirts, runner bibs and brochures. Due to COVID-19, the race was virtual.

Pictured in blue are the lodge members who walked or ran: Rick Littlejohn, Sher Thrush, Christy Mann, Cindy Ayers, Elroy the Elk (John McArthur), Vicki Baker, Michelle Schlaack, Penny Deig, Trish Walsh and John Hedrick. Pictured in pink are the lodge members who supported the participants: John Mathison, Cindy Ayers, Rose Ford, Carl Hutchcraft, Laurel Dolpp and Robin Buckley-Gutierrez.

Also pictured is Elroy the Elk.

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Written by Carolyn Sutherland

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Myakka River Elementary School held its annual book fair during the week of Jan. 23, which coincides with National Reading Day. For the past several years, Englewood Lodge has provided funds to purchase books for the second and third graders. This year, they donated $950 for the books.

Pictured Feb. 7 are some very happy students holding their books.

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Written by Rita Smith

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On March 18, Tampa Lodge welcomed 19 veterans and staff members from the James A. Haley VA Domiciliary and Liberty Manor for Veterans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Liberty Manor is a home in Tampa, Florida, for veterans who are temporarily unhoused. The guests were invited by the Veterans Committee members and they enjoyed a meal and entertainment. 

Pictured with Paul DeLand, Exalted Ruler, are veteran residents of Liberty Manor holding letters up to spell out "Thank You!"

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Written by Merritt Island Elks

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On Feb. 18, Merritt Island Elks Lodge #2650 held a combined awards dinner for the winners of the Americanism essay contest and the Drug Awareness poster and essay contests.

The theme of the Americanism essay contest was “What Does It Mean to Love Your Country?” The essay word limit was 300. A judging committee of Ralph Gordon, Rod O'Connor, Jim Gregg, David Crocket, Lynn Brooks and June Horgan evaluated each essay for originality, development of theme, and mechanics and neatness. Division I (fifth and sixth grades) did not have any entries but four winners were selected in Division II (seventh and eighth grades).

The theme for the Drug Awareness contests was “The Better Me Is Drug Free.” The poster contest was for third through fifth grades and the essay contest was for sixth through eighth grades. The lodge contacted all Merritt Island schools (Audubon, Mila, Jefferson, Tropical, Edgewood, Lewis Carroll, Merritt Island Christian, Stevenson and Brevard Private Academy) and provided direction to get teachers and students involved.

Pictured in the middle row are Ralph Gordon, Exalted Ruler; Danin Horton, Americanism first place; Devin Schylaske, Americanism second place; Mathew Hosmer, Americanism honorable mention; and Emma Dixon, Americanism third place. Ken Hill, Americanism Lodge Chair, is in the back left. At the end of the middle row is Maddalyn Tonhauser, Drug Awareness essay first place. In the front row are Eme Walter, Drug Awareness poster second place, and Lana Delaney, Drug Awareness poster first place. Ernie Tonhauser, Drug Awareness Lodge Chair, is in the back right.

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Written by Gary Ledoux

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On Feb. 12, Jacksonville Lodge held its third annual military baby shower, benefitting 20 local expectant women who were either serving in the military or married to active military members. Deborah Reedy, PER, event organizer, noted, “With so many military installations in the Jacksonville area, and for the dedication the military provides for us all, it only made sense to help those military members in need.” Each of the 20 women were provided $225 worth of baby products from the Elks National Foundation (ENF) Gratitude and Spotlight grants, totaling $4,500. Reedy explained, “Two years ago when this project started, we received a $1,500 Anniversary Grant from the ENF. It was a good start. Last year it was a larger amount and this year larger still. Plus, several of our lodge members donated products on their own, like disposable diapers and baby wipes from our diaper drive.” Reedy and one of the lodge’s newest members, Rachel Ledoux, each donated hand-crocheted baby blankets. Ledoux then kept her skeins of yarn rolling, producing 20 pairs of baby booties and 20 baby beanie caps, which were donated. Frances Fowler, wife of member Jerry Fowler, handmade 40 burp cloths and bibs, so each mother received two sets. William Watson III, PER and his wife, Shawna, donated and prepared a continental breakfast for the families and guests. Other lodge members secured donations of food and beverages from local supermarkets that were given out to the women to share with their family as they went home.

The 20 recipients were selected through the help of the local Blue Star Families organization. Many of the women were nominated by their commanding officer or command ombudsman; they could sign up on their own as well. All are prescreened and their selection was based on need. Blue Star Families and the Elks are a perfect partnering because Blue Star Families serves as the liaison, advocate and catalyst to connect military families with civilian individuals and civilian organization to help build a stronger, well-supported community.

The shower was the same date as the Northeast District visit by Florida Elks State President, Suzi Simonelli. This attracted not only a large contingent of local Elks members but members from district lodges as well to the shower. State President Simonelli led a round of baby trivia, where expectant mothers tested their baby knowledge for prizes of hand-crocheted baby blankets. Also addressing the mothers-to-be were Wendy Layton of Blue Star Families and Colleen Gallant, Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services (FECTS) Director. Rae Montgomery, FECTS physical therapist, was introduced as well. Gallant provided each mother with a copy of “Advance My Baby,” a book written by FECTS therapists Paula Tarver and Jeanne Martin. Blue Star Families had a table for the mothers and kids attending to choose more books, promoting literacy in the community.

The baby shower committee included Kathy Glass, Carole Shapley, Susan Kelly, Cathy Rowand, Carmel Reed, Deborah Reedy, Rachel Ledoux, Robin Pipkins, Carla Rhymes, Shannon Graham, Sarah Schllesinger and Betsy Bryant.

Pictured are Deborah Reedy, PER and Rachel Ledoux showing off a handmade blanket, Colleen Gallant and Rae Montgomery handing out books, State President Suzi Simonelli leading a round of trivia, and members and volunteers pictured outside the lodge.