Details

Written by Diane Hendrick

On June 11, Fort Myers Lodge held a Flag Day ceremony, with the Vietnam Brotherhood Bravo Unit displaying the history of the American flag. They showcased eight versions of the flag throughout history. Following the ceremony, officers presented a check for $250 for the Brotherhood's scholarship program. Pictured are members of the unit with the flags as well as David Lake, PSP; Phil Gersbach, PDD, Vice President at Large; Eddy Bellefeuille, Commander of the Vietnam Brotherhood Bravo Unit; Richard Conley, PDD; and Frank Mascari, PER.

Details

Written by Suzanne Cunningham

On May 20, the Anna Miller Circle 1578 of Eustis Elks Lodge purchased four mattresses for The Haven Safe House using proceeds from fundraisers during the year. The cost of the mattresses was $1,089.70. Badcock and More provided a 20% discount to make the purchase possible. The Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties provides a safe house for survivors of domestic abuse and their children as well as for rape survivors. The new mattresses will make the mothers and their children more comfortable as they transition into a safer life. 

Pictured at the store are Anthony Manuele and Michael Hale, store staff members; Tiana Crescimanno, lead crisis counselor of The Haven; Natasha Temples, store manager; and Mary Anne Cerney, Anna Miller chair of The Haven Project.

Details

Written by Linda Killian

On May 12, the Deep Creek Ladies Of Elks presented two students with a scholarship check for $2,500 to help further their education in the Automotive Training School Program at Charlotte Technical College in Charlotte County, Florida. The first recipient is Alex Rudd. Alex will graduate in December 2022. He is 21 years old. He is currently employed at Advanced Auto and has accepted a position at Pit Stop Automotive. The second recipient is Daniel Salcedo-Azocar. Daniel will also graduate in December 2022. He is 20 years old. He is looking for employment and is anxious to graduate. The last scholarship was given to Rachel Casper-Allison. Rachel graduated from the automotive program in 2021. She is currently employed with Tom Joyce Automotive and will begin a new career with Harbor Nissan in the near future. The funds for these scholarships were generated from a game played on Mondays that the Ladies of Elks sponsor. Pictured in the back behind the ladies and the recipients is Scott Phillips, Exalted Ruler.

Details

Written by Gary Ledoux

On April 7, Deborah Reedy, PER, Secretary of Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221, was interviewed on camera by Chris Mauro of Speakeasy Video Productions. The focus of the interview was the growing relationship between the lodge and the Jacksonville chapter of Blue Star Families and to encourage other charitable and fraternal organizations like the Elks to join with Blue Star to assist those in the military. Most recently, the lodge held its third baby shower for 20 military families in the Jacksonville area. When a member of a military family is deployed, sometimes with little or no notice, their spouse is left to deal with life and children alone. This is especially tough if they, like so many military families, move frequently and have no social infrastructure or other support and don’t know where to turn. The Blue Star organization helps bridge that gap. Since Blue Star’s founding in 2009, more than 1.5 million military family members have been reached.

Details

Written by Ronna Mason

Sebring Lodge continues to support Hands for the Homeless, an organization in Avon Park, Florida. Last year, they donated $4,000 to them from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight and Gratitude grants. This year, they are making quarterly food donations. They collect food at the lodge from members, and a large contribution comes from their charity bingo players. 

Pictured April 20 are Jim Mason, PDD and Diane Morse, Loyal Knight. Not pictured is Wainetta Holmes, PER, who works very hard in collecting and storing the donations.

Details

Written by Ronna Mason

On April 2, the Special STARS (Sports Training And Recreational Services) held their 21st annual softball classic. Special STARS provides sports and recreational services for more than 300 children and adults with disabilities in Highlands, Hardee and southern Polk counties. For many years, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 has been a proud sponsor of this organization and because of their generous donations through the years, they have been included in the All-Star Wall. The ceremony began with a show of support by the Highland's County Sheriff's Office, followed by the presentation of colors by Ralph Meyers and singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Jonathan Spiegel, Exalted Ruler, presented a check to STARS member Jack Garnett in the amount of $350 which added to the previous check not used due to the pandemic shutdown, totaling $1,000. Spiegel also threw out the first pitch to get the tournament, which consisted of five teams, started. As usual, Cindy Marshall, Special STARS coordinator, did a great job and is pictured with the Germaine Surveying Inc. team.