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Written by Rose Goodrich

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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 Gary Ledoux

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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.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

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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 Ronna Mason

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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.

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

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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.

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Written by Ronna Mason

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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.

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Written by Linda Killian

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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.

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

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The Eustis Anna Miller Circle held a fundraising auction March 20-27 in memory of Susan Locke, who had chaired this event for many years prior to her passing away. Donations were accepted for a month prior to the auction. Cindy Bennett, event chair; Joyce Denzer, co-chair; and Jean Witt, committee member, gathered 60 items (27 gift baskets, 25 single items and eight gift cards) with the help of the Anna Miller Circle members and the Elks community. Volunteers spent 150 hours selling tickets at lodge events and putting the items together to display. The auction raised $1,800 and will be used to send local children in need to the Florida Elks Youth Camp this summer.

Pictured are displays of the auction items and Cindy Bennett, event chair, and Chris Getchell, President of the Anna Miller Circle, selling tickets.