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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

On Aug. 2, five Anna Miller Circle 1578 members packed and distributed school supplies totaling over $1,000 for Triangle Elementary School in Mount Dora. All supplies were donated by Anna Miller Circle members and Eustis Lodge members. The ladies group has a long record of supporting elementary schools, and for many years it has been Triangle Elementary. For the second year they also packed school supplies for The Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties. The Haven received supplies for four elementary school students, four middle school students and three high school students staying at the Haven safe house with their mothers. Including these donations, the total donation value is approximately between $1,200 and $1,400.

Pictured are Beverly Dufresne; Hayden Dufresne, granddaughter; Maryanne Cerney, The Haven Project chair; Sharon McGlon; Chris Getchell, Anna Miller Circle President; and Judy McCarroll.

Also pictured are Debbie Hartog, Triangle Elementary principal, and Chris Getchell.

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Written by Rick Barth, PER

On the evening of June 24 at Port St. Lucie Elks Lodge #2658 during a bingo game, member Mike Keleher was looking at the veterans’ wall of service photos, which honors lodge members who are veterans. As he was looking, he recognized his best friend, who he served with in 1962 but hadn’t seen in 55 years — Harry Keat. Both men were Air Force policemen during the Cuban Missile Crisis stationed at the Air Force base in Homestead, Florida. Mike told April Barth, who runs the bingo program, that he would like to get in touch with Harry. Harry’s wife, Karen, happened to be at the lodge playing bingo, so she called Harry, who came to the lodge in about 15 minutes. When the men were stationed in Florida, they owned a car together. When Mike shipped out, Harry told him he would sell the car and split the money with him. Harry sold the car for $100 and was then shipped out to Vietnam. So, the first thing Harry said to Mike when they were reunited after 55 years was, “I owe you 50 bucks.”

This story was shared by Rick Barth, PER, Lodge Secretary, Harry’s brother-in-law.

Pictured are Harry and Mike in front of the veterans’ photo wall.

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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