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Written by Lakeland Elks

On Jan. 14, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 presented its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to the United Way of Central Florida for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. This donation will provide books for at least 800 children in Lakeland, Florida. Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the lodge had to cancel their hands-on event with the children at the qualifying day care. While they were unable to register the children in person, they were able to provide each of the 100 children with an Elks reusable shopping bag, a Dolly Parton Imagination Library application, an initial starter book and some activities. 

Pictured at the check presentation at the lodge are Elroy the Elk (member John McArthur); John Mathison, PER, Exalted Ruler; Jodi Miller from United Way; and Gerry and Penny Deig, lodge members.

Also pictured is a sample of the books and Elks bags.

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Written by Judy Wise

On Jan. 15, 14 members of Plant City Elks Lodge #1727, along with a daughter and grandson of members, gave up their Saturday morning to unload and spread 45 cubic yards of playground mulch at the Boys & Girls Club in Plant City, Florida. The lodge donated the mulch, valued at $1,000, to make their playground safe and clean. David Brewington, longtime lodge member, loaded his front-end loader and moved the mulch from the parking lot to the playground, where the volunteers raked and spread it evenly. This project was led by member Ed Wise.

Pictured in the front are Ed Wise and Caleb, Kenny Goodwien’s grandson. Seated in the middle row are Abigail Dunkin, Brandon Dunkin’s daughter; Martin Wisgerhof; Mike Fiaschetti; and Stephen Smith. Standing in the back row are Brandon Dunkin, Mark Henderson, John Bullard, Kenny Goodwien, Ben Edgermon, Bill Tew, Ron Johns, Braydon Edgermon and Tony Rivera. Not pictured is David Brewington.

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Written by Rita Smith

Tampa Elks Lodge #708 will now be using the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to fund the lodge-sponsored Club Chivalry at Robinson High School instead of the Elks National Foundation Impact Grant. The Florida State Elks Association also matches the Beacon Grant, giving the club more funds. During the January club meeting day, yearbook photos were taken, and the Elks volunteers for the day joined in the Club Chivalry photo. Afterward, in celebration of National Pizza Week, the lodge treated the club members to a pizza party. The Elks reminded them to sign up for Relay for Life in April and also told them about an upcoming service hours opportunity with the lodge. On Jan. 15, some students helped lodge members perform community service by cleaning the roadside along Himes Avenue. This project is done quarterly by Tampa Elks in conjunction with Mayor Jane Castor’s Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful project. The students earned four community service hours for their efforts.

Elks pictured in the club yearbook photo in the bottom row on both sides of the four club student officers are Tommy “Loyd” Moore, Betty Orcutt, Carolyn Miller and Edie Hanley. 

Pictured during the highway cleanup are Wendy Wiesler, member; Andy Zheng, student; Melissa Bertoch, Esquire; Bianca Blevins, student; Richard Whizenhut, member; Comfort Njoku, student; Bonnie Atwood, member; and Rita Smith, Leading Knight.

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Written by Manasota Elks

Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 is very active with the Welcome Home Kit program for veterans and Manatee Veterans Village in Bradenton, Florida. In April 2021, the lodge assisted veteran Scott by delivering a Welcome Home Kit to him with items he needed for his new home. At the delivery, lodge members met his daughter, Sophie. In early December, lodge members Mike and Marilyn Veno contacted Jim Klocke, Veterans Lodge Chair, about donating a slightly used bicycle to a person in need for Christmas. Jim Klocke had just the right person in mind for it — Sophie! Klocke contacted her father and made the arrangements to deliver the bike to her.

Pictured Christmas morning is Sophie thrilled to receive her first bicycle.

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Written by Jupiter Elks

Jupiter Lodge’s members and community members supported the lodge's Angel Tree this year. With their generosity, the lodge made holiday dreams come true for 117 local children in need. Many volunteers shopped for the gifts and prepared the packages, which were delivered Dec. 20-21.

Pictured are lodge members Bobby and Iris Paul with Ms. Inez at Jupiter Elementary School. 

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Written by Titusville Elks

From Dec. 15 to Dec. 24, Titusville Elks Lodge #2113 opened its Christmas gift-wrapping tent and Drug Awareness Education trailer outside a Walmart store in Titusville, Florida, to raise funds for the Florida Elks Youth Camp by wrapping gifts for shoppers. Two and a half days were lost due to rain, but the project carried on the other days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and raised more than $1,300 with the help of numerous Elks and ladies members. All the gift wrapping, tissue paper and bows were donated by lodge members.

Pictured are Mark Morris and Doris Becraft, Leading Knight.