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Written by Jerry Harrington, PER

Jerry Harrington of Viera Elks Lodge #2817 made his official Southeast Central District Vice President’s visit July 23 to Cocoa Elks Lodge. The Viera Antlers group served dinner and cleaned up after the festivities. Several Antlers advisors attended the event as well, including Viera Lodge member Heidi Vargas. The Antlers is the junior Elks program made up of youths ages 12 to 20 who perform community service for projects that lodges sponsor.

Members of the Antlers pictured are Sam Matini, Max Mendoza, Kati Calvert and Louie Nieto.

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Written by Peggie Sue Dygert

On June 15, veterans from Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Nursing Home in Port Charlotte, Florida, enjoyed lunch and bingo at Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763. Peggie Sue Dygert, lodge member and Elks Deputy VAVS Representative to the nursing home, purchased a case each of Hershey’s chocolate bars and Moon Pies for them to take back to the nursing home and she provided 24 sets of wheelchair gloves in various sizes, which were donated by the Elks leather program. Volunteers from the Ladies of Elks helped with calling bingo and visited with the veterans. Pictured are a grateful veteran enjoying his new gloves. Also pictured are the gloves and desserts.

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Written by Becky Wills

Viera Lodge is also assisting Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice & Palliative Care in their support of Honor Flight. Honor Flight is an all-volunteer network whose mission is to honor American veterans for the sacrifices they made for their country. Their top priority is the most senior veterans of World War II and those who are terminally ill. The veterans and their guardians are flown to the nation’s capital and are driven around Washington, D.C. by motorcoach to view the memorials for World War II, Korea and Vietnam. They also visit Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The entire trip is free to them and every need is provided for, such as wheelchairs and oxygen. Kasha Harrell, lodge member and an employee of the hospice, coordinates a group of volunteers from both organizations who prepare food at the lodge for all of the activities, from lunch on orientation day to box lunches for flight day. They feed between 100 and 150 veterans and guardians per flight. On May 22, Harrell was presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Florida State Elks Association for her outstanding contributions as a House Committee member, volunteer bartender, kitchen assistant, member recruiter and so much more.

Pictured June 20 at the hospice are Dawn King of the hospice; Kasha Harrell, lodge member and hospice employee; and Wendy Carns, PER, Treasurer.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On May 31, volunteers from Green Cove Springs Lodge supported the summer kickoff program at the Green Cove Springs Library. With the use of the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, each of the 120 participants received books, ice cream and crafts. The library was decorated with an Oceans of Possibilities theme, and each book was selected to fit the theme.

Pictured are:

Sherri Leach, Clay County Deputy and lodge member; Sebastian Micalizzi, library shark volunteer; and Kathie Thompson, PER

Kathie Thompson, PER and Linda Rittenhouse, PSP-FLOE handing out items

Families enjoying their books

Elenore Williams, volunteer, and Al Williams, Exalted Ruler, with a participating family

Sebastian Micalizzi, library shark volunteer; Gene Rittenhouse, PDD; Linda Rittenhouse, PSP-FLOE; lodge members Bob Russell, Bobbe Marion, and Penny Kunze; Jennifer Parker, library branch manager and lodge member; and Amanda Altic, library volunteer, preparing for participants

Penny Kunze, lodge member, and Al Williams, Exalted Ruler, serving ice cream

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Written by Diane Davis

Manasota Lodge recently formed a partnership with Bayshore Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Bradenton, Florida. On June 13, the lodge delivered the school’s wish list of summer school supplies. These supplies were purchased with the Florida State Elks Association’s matching funds of the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant.

Pictured are Spike Klocke, lodge grant coordinator; Lisa Lovy, summer school coordinator; and Jackie West, principal.

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Written by Rita Smith

On June 11, Tampa Lodge’s Veterans Services Committee held its first of four events that will be covered using the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant. Shelagh Gombarcik, PER set up a fishing trip at Ballast Point Park on Old Tampa Bay. She reserved a shelter and the long pier and arranged for lunch and plenty of soft drinks and water. Jose Remon, Lodge Veterans Services Chair, purchased the bait and poles. Five veterans from Liberty Manor for Veterans participated, as did three veterans from James A. Haley VA Domiciliary. These transitioning veterans had been on COVID lockdown and could not have participated if it had been an indoor activity. Even so, staffing issues kept the number small. Each of the veterans were given a new Zebco fishing rod to use and keep. It was a very warm day, so after a couple of hours which yielded only three pin fish, the group decided to head in for the iconic Tampa Cuban sandwich and chips for lunch. The shade of the shelter was most welcome.

Pictured with Edie Hanley, Lecturing Knight, are Liberty Manor veterans Mark Hodge and Richard Collins. Also pictured are Shelagh Gombarcik, PER escorting the domiciliary veterans down the pier.