Details

Written by Rita Smith

Tampa Lodge donated $200 toward Troop #399’s Ashton Offutt’s Eagle Scout project. On Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. an Eagle Scout court of honor was held, and as it rained during a good bit of the ceremony, all were appreciative of Offutt’s project — 10 well-constructed benches protected by a shade/inclement weather canvas cover at Claywell Elementary. Offutt was presented with a Grand Lodge Eagle Scout certificate during the ceremony. Offutt is pictured with elementary school teacher Jenny Paloumpis, his school liaison for his Eagle Project. Also pictured are Frank Smith Sr., Tampa Elks scouting liaison; Ashton Offutt; and Tampa Elks Wendy Wiesler and George Hilficker.

Details

Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

On Oct. 2, Lakeland Elks Lodge members gathered to put together meals for kidsPACK to feed the local children of Lakeland. Normally the lodge packs 600 meals. However, this time, kidsPACK asked if the lodge could increase to 1,200 packs, as they would soon be out of meals. The lodge members along with some scouts were happy to comply. They even did it in record-breaking time —one hour and nine minutes. The lodge is able to offer this service to their community through the use of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. This was the lodge’s sixth year of participation.

Details

Written by Kim Johnson, PER

Merritt Island Elks Lodge #2650 applied for and received an Elks National Foundation Focus Grant for $7,210 to make a difference for local veterans. Part of the grant money was used to With these funds, the food pantry in the Volunteers of America (VOA) building for the Veterans Transition Center in Cocoa, Florida, was expanded. This was done by Kermit Forbes, PER; John Welch and Gabriel Ensell, VOA directors and new lodge members; and Kim Johnson, PER. More refrigerators were moved into the area to provide perishable food and extra shelving was built so the pantry could carry more nonperishable food items. With the completion of this phase, Forbes is working on stocking the pantry. The second part of this grant is being used to help veterans living on the street. The lodge purchased 20 backpacks that will be stocked with face masks, hand sanitizer, socks, personal care items, hand towels, washcloths, an Ozark 11-in-1 camping tool, can openers and toilet paper. Food items will also be included. Before giving out these backpacks, the lodge wanted to let the veterans know who provided the backpacks and where they can go to refill their bags. Member Sue Hanson is a wizard with a sewing machine and created and added the Elks emblem and instructions on each bag to return to the VOA building to refill the backpacks.

Pictured working in the pantry Sept. 22 are Welch, Ensell and Forbes.

A close-up of a backpack with Hanson’s sewing

Kim Johnson, PER (left) and Kermit Forbes, PER (right), giving backpack serial number 001 to Clyde Smith Sept. 30.

Details

Written by Lake Okeechobee Elks

Along with a $50 donation from Walmart, Lake Okeechobee Elks Lodge #2871 used funds from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to purchase 12 bicycles for the Okeechobee Sheriff's bicycle safety rodeo planned for Oct. 2.

Pictured July 28 with the bicycles are Cpl. Jack Nash; Cheryl Gumz, Exalted Ruler; and Doris Rosales, Walmart staff member.

Details

Written by Jeff Rumler, PDD

Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 hosted a free community event Sept. 11 after participating in the City of Sanford’s Patriot Day: A National Day of Remembrance ceremony. The lodge event featured live music, a complimentary lunch, face painting, a balloon artist and an appearance from Elroy the Elk. The lodge had booths set up showcasing the Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot, Drug Awareness program, local Boy Scout troop and Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services. A wooden flag made by a combat veteran was raffled and raised $1,000 for the Florida Elks Army of Hope. Along with that, $275 was raised for the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, which supports the Florida Elks Youth Camp and Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services. Six new lodge members were gained as well. The event was a success and was even attended by Florida Elks State President, Suzi Simonelli, and first gentleman, Joey. 

Details

Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

Florida Elks support the annual Parade of Heroes, which recognizes those who fought in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, by flying Elks members who are veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit their respective memorials. This year, the event will take place Nov. 12-14. Mary Lou Scribner, PER, who is a member of Brandon Lodge #2383 and is a team member of the Parade of Heroes, invited Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 to participate in the thank you/appreciation cards program for veterans. These cards will be distributed to the attending veterans on their flight home during a “mail call.” The lodge contacted Sebring Middle School, and the seventh grade leadership class, taught by Stephanie Scheipsmeier, made cards for the veterans. Approximately 50 Florida Elks veterans will be attending the Parade of Heroes. Pictured with the students are Wainetta Holmes, Exalted Ruler; Stephanie Scheipsmeier, teacher; and Diane Morse, Loyal Knight.