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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.

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Written by Susan Slater

On May 21, 6-year-old Brooke Jordan and 9-year-old Connor Jordan set up a lemonade stand on North Avenue in front of their grandparents’ house in Zephyrhills from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise money for Zephyrhills Lodge’s Feed the Kids program. Their idea was inspired from a song on YouTube called “The Duck Song” about a duck who goes to a lemonade stand. Connor also said, “I wanted to do it because Jesus would have wanted me to. It made me feel good about myself.” Brooke said, “I do not want the kids to go hungry.” A joint family effort was made to sell the lemonade. Louis Jordan, grandfather, helped the children make the stand from wood, metal pipes and cardboard. April Jordan, mother, gave the children decoration ideas and they decorated it themselves. Stancy Jordan, grandmother, and the children made the lemonade, which they sold for $1 a cup. Adam Jordan, father, helped advertise the stand at their school and church. While sitting at the stand, they waved to people going by and showed them their signs. “People were giving us more than what it costs,” said Connor. The largest donation they received from one person was $20. In total, they raised $140 for the program. On June 6, Connor and Brooke, accompanied by their parents, presented their donation to the lodge during their business meeting. Donna Moyer, program chair, introduced the children while Jay Klamer, Exalted Ruler, accepted their donation and presented them both with Elk pins.

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Written by Rose Goodrich

On May 13, Dunedin/Clearwater Elks Lodge #1525 and the Ladies Auxiliary honored three of the five local high school students who received $1,000 lodge scholarships. All the winners and their families were invited to the lodge for the Friday dinner dance. The attendees, Angela Li, Patrick Nguyen and Allison Smith, pictured, were presented with a certificate representing the $1,000 check sent to the college of their choice. These recipients gave a short speech explaining their hopes for the future and thanking the lodge for this opportunity. The other recipients, Yareli Franco-Cruz and Gionni Peiffer, will have their checks sent to their respective colleges as well. The $5,000 for these scholarships were covered by $1,000 from the Monday golf group, $2,000 from the Sunday bingo players and $2,000 from the Ladies Auxiliary. 

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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.

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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.