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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.

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Written by Jim Blanchard

On Nov. 21, Hollywood West Elks Lodge #2365 used its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and teamed with Hope Outreach Center to distribute gift cards and Thanksgiving food for families in need. The lodge donated $2,000 worth of Publix gift cards and the center donated food. HOPE (Helping Other People Everyday) Outreach Center is located in Davie, Florida, near the lodge and serves southwest Broward County by offering food, financial support, and educational and social services.

Pictured placing items in the trunk are Mike Maiocco, trustee; Theresa Maiocco; Paul Houser, PER; and Joanne Robinson, director of Hope Outreach Center.

Also pictured are Joanne Robinson; Greg Robinson, volunteer for Hope Outreach Center; Eddie Scanlon, Exalted Ruler; Theresa Maiocco; Mike Maiocco; Patricia Perez, staff member at Hope Outreach Center.

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

On Nov. 18, members of Eustis Elks Lodge’s Anna Miller Circle completed their yearly Thanksgiving meal packing, this year for Triangle Elementary School. Each of the 25 food bags contained stuffing, four canned vegetables, two packages of mashed potatoes, two containers of gravy, cranberry sauce, and a cake mix or brownie mix. Additional items like cereal, macaroni and cheese, and fruit were also included. Each bag was valued at $50, plus, they added a $20 gift certificate to Publix so each family could select the meat of their choice. The total value of this gift was $1,750. Food donations for this project were received from Anna Miller Circle members as well as lodge members. Pictured are Judy McCarroll, Anna Miller Circle treasurer, and Chris Getchell, Anna Miller Circle president. Also pictured are Debbie Hartog, principal, and Getchell.