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Written by Venice-Nokomis Elks

From Nov. 1 to Nov. 22 and from Dec. 1 to Dec. 20, Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854 held a food drive for 70 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Along with what members and the community donated, the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant was used to assure healthy and balanced meals. For several Saturdays, members sorted and packed food. They also provided food to Laurel Civic Center, which needed food for their aftercare program, and the local food bank. The pandemic has made it difficult for families to handle their most basic of needs and the Elks are committing to helping.

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Written by Brian Estus, PER

On Dec. 15, West Citrus Elks Lodge #2693 used $500 from its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to purchase food for the WE Care Food Pantry in in Homosassa, Florida.

Pictured are Doug Norman, trustee, and Marcia Norman, House Committee member.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

Plant City Lodge member Judy Wise is extremely dedicated to veterans causes. For the third year, she and fellow lodge members organized the annual “Plant City Honors our Veterans and Active Military” event, held Nov. 14 at the TECO Expo Hall at the Strawberry Festival Grounds in Plant City, Florida. It was considered to be one of the largest veterans events in Hillsborough County. Wise starts with the $2,500 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant and builds on this with community and Elk involvement and contributions as well as the support of local dignitaries. The event had 485 in attendance. Most were veterans with their significant others, and they all received a free meal of barbecued pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, and slaw. Elks Past National President and Plant City Lodge member, Michael Smith, shared some Elk history, local Durant High School Air Force JROTC gave the presentation of colors, and Plant City’s Scout Pack 744 walked on the stage with U.S. military flags representing each branch of service. Florida State Senator and former executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Danny Burgess, was the keynote speaker. As a token of appreciation, Wise was presented the Chaplaincy Care Coin of Excellence typically only presented to first responders and military members. She said, “the veterans are my heart, they always have been.”

Pictured are Mayor Rick Lott, who is also a lodge member; Judy Wise; and Chaplain Dan Middlebrooks.

Also pictured are four veterans who received Quilts of Honor — Robert Johnson, Vietnam helicopter pilot and Plant City Lodge member; Carl Dekle, 100-year-old World War II Marine veteran; John Wolfe, 97-year-old Petty Officer 3rd Class World War II Navy veteran; and Jerry Goss, Lt. Col. Air Force. 

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Written by Pauline Talbott

Sebastian Elks Lodge #2714 and its ladies organization, the EL-DOEs, have been supporting Toys for Tots of Indian River County for more than 20 years. This year the event kicked off Nov. 1 and ended with the EL-DOEs hosting the annual dinner dance Dec. 11. More than 11 boxes of toys, a half dozen bikes and several scooters as well as $240 in financial donations were collected.

Pictured before the dance are Billy Shallies, Exalted Ruler; Tony Vitale; Audrey Huddy (dual member); Dan Talbott, Leading Knight; Mary Fox (EL-DOE); Pauline Talbott, EL-DOEs vice president (dual member); Mary Ducharme, EL-DOEs president; Eileen Bruce, EL-DOEs treasurer (dual member); Diane Lemire (dual member); Fred Mays; and Debbie Lawrence (EL-DOE). In the front row are Carol Vitale (dual member) and Bernice May (EL-DOE).

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Written by Boca Raton Elks

On Dec. 13, Boca Raton lodge members donated more than 20 bicycles to be distributed to the American Association of Caregiving Youth for the holidays. A donation of sporting goods and gift cards was also made. This association works to help children who are caring for ill or terminally ill parents. Pictured with some bicycles are Shirley Board, Loyal Knight; Tito Young, PER; and Paula Buss, lodge member.

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Written by Lenny Smallacombe, PDD

For the 2021 holidays, the Fort Pierce Elks Lodge Backpack Program helped 12 public schools and more than 1,200 homeless and in-need students attending the schools in St. Lucie County, Florida. To provide this assistance, they used the Elks National Foundation $3,500 Beacon Grant and the $3,500 state association matching funds along with the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and member donations. The backpack program’s team of volunteers worked several months to accomplish this. Donations included new school clothes, underwear, socks, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, treats, toys, food and snacks. Delivery to the schools was Dec. 7 and teachers will give them to students in need Dec. 16 before they leave for the holiday break. Pictured during the packing at the lodge are Peggy Noel, Elkettes president, and lodge members Jean Citto; Dick Smith; Gail Van Horn; Bob Citto; Scott Borrow; Tricia Swayngim, Exalted Ruler; Ann Smith; Lenny Smallacombe, backpack program chair; and Barb Smallacombe, PDD.