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Written by Lenny Smallacombe, PDD

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For the 2021 holidays, the Fort Pierce Elks Lodge Backpack Program helped 12 public schools and more than 1,200 homeless and in-need students attending the schools in St. Lucie County, Florida. To provide this assistance, they used the Elks National Foundation $3,500 Beacon Grant and the $3,500 state association matching funds along with the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and member donations. The backpack program’s team of volunteers worked several months to accomplish this. Donations included new school clothes, underwear, socks, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, treats, toys, food and snacks. Delivery to the schools was Dec. 7 and teachers will give them to students in need Dec. 16 before they leave for the holiday break. Pictured during the packing at the lodge are Peggy Noel, Elkettes president, and lodge members Jean Citto; Dick Smith; Gail Van Horn; Bob Citto; Scott Borrow; Tricia Swayngim, Exalted Ruler; Ann Smith; Lenny Smallacombe, backpack program chair; and Barb Smallacombe, PDD.

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Written by Harriet Gossett

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On Nov. 6, the Pensacola Beach Lodge Ladies of the Elks presented a check for $1,000 for Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services to State President Suzi Simonelli. The Ladies of the Elks hosted a Painting with a Twist night at the lodge, which raised more than $500. They have also done a few jewelry raffles of rings that were donated to them, and they do well with raffle baskets. Their Mother's Day basket raised a record $1,300, and a Blue Angels basket netted approximately $700. Pictured presenting the check to Simonelli are Shelby Smith; Harriet Gossett, Vice President; Jennifer Ross, President; and Kevin Clemons, PDD, District Leader.

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Written by Jim Blanchard

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On Nov. 21, Hollywood West Elks Lodge #2365 used its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and teamed with Hope Outreach Center to distribute gift cards and Thanksgiving food for families in need. The lodge donated $2,000 worth of Publix gift cards and the center donated food. HOPE (Helping Other People Everyday) Outreach Center is located in Davie, Florida, near the lodge and serves southwest Broward County by offering food, financial support, and educational and social services.

Pictured placing items in the trunk are Mike Maiocco, trustee; Theresa Maiocco; Paul Houser, PER; and Joanne Robinson, director of Hope Outreach Center.

Also pictured are Joanne Robinson; Greg Robinson, volunteer for Hope Outreach Center; Eddie Scanlon, Exalted Ruler; Theresa Maiocco; Mike Maiocco; Patricia Perez, staff member at Hope Outreach Center.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

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On Nov. 16, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 presented a $5,000 check to Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc. This was made possible through the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and matching Florida State Elks Association grant. Hearts and Homes for Veterans is a Florida nonprofit corporation that was created to support veterans and their families experiencing homelessness who find themselves without the necessities of everyday life.

Pictured at the check presentation are Roger Spencer, Exalted Ruler; Bob Weinberg, Lecturing Knight; Tom Donohue from Hearts and Homes; and David Lake, PSP, Esquire.

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

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On Nov. 18, members of Eustis Elks Lodge’s Anna Miller Circle completed their yearly Thanksgiving meal packing, this year for Triangle Elementary School. Each of the 25 food bags contained stuffing, four canned vegetables, two packages of mashed potatoes, two containers of gravy, cranberry sauce, and a cake mix or brownie mix. Additional items like cereal, macaroni and cheese, and fruit were also included. Each bag was valued at $50, plus, they added a $20 gift certificate to Publix so each family could select the meat of their choice. The total value of this gift was $1,750. Food donations for this project were received from Anna Miller Circle members as well as lodge members. Pictured are Judy McCarroll, Anna Miller Circle treasurer, and Chris Getchell, Anna Miller Circle president. Also pictured are Debbie Hartog, principal, and Getchell.

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Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks

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On Oct. 23, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held a Homes for Our Troops fundraiser at the lodge with a spaghetti dinner and talent show. More than 130 members of the lodge and the public attended and raised over $5,000. Homes for Our Troops is a publicly funded nonprofit organization that builds and donates adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives. Pictured is Tom Sweeney, Lodge Veterans Chair; Michael Monthervil, a veteran recipient of a home in Florida; and Jerry Ditty, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Crestview Elks

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On Nov. 29, Crestview Elks Lodge #2624 teamed with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) in support of their annual Angel Tree program. The Angel Tree program is a Christmas effort to ensure children can enjoy their Christmas. The program focuses on families in need and the less fortunate who are part of the Crestview community. There were approximately 162 children listed on the Angel Tree this year, more than double from last year’s 63 children in need due to the pandemic. Crestview Lodge adopted six of the children and spent $500. Natalia Reis-Fredriksen, Lodge Secretary, donated the rest to make the total $612. Reis-Fredriksen coordinated with the sheriff’s office and purchased more than 40 items to distribute to the children, including shoes, socks, winter jackets, pants, shirts, toys and art materials. Members of the sheriff’s office will wrap the gifts and distribute them appropriately.

Pictured Nov. 30 with the gifts is Deputy Matthew Langer.

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Written by Judy Wise

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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.