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Written by Rita Smith, PER

On Nov. 2, Tampa Elks Lodge #708 hosted 24 transitional veterans on a 90-minute river cruise through downtown Tampa, followed by a riverside lunch. The Tampa Fun Boat holds 35 people, so they booked the whole boat. Since the owner’s wife is an Elk, they got a discount. The veterans were from the Salvation Army Red Center, New Beginnings of Tampa, and Liberty Manor for Veterans. Also attending were 10 Elks who are active on veteran and children’s committees. The group left from the docks at Rick’s on the River. This outing gave the veterans something to do on a weekend and the chance to socialize.

Pictured are veterans and Elks during the cruise and lunch.

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Written by Cathy Walsh

On Nov. 15, St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 donated its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Epic-Cure for its Sustain U cooking classes. Epic-Cure is a 501(c)(3) organization that rescues food from many sources, such as grocery stores and farms, to fight food waste and food insecurity by distributing this food to those in need. Their cooking program uses local chefs and senior citizen volunteers who mentor students from Title 1 schools near the age of entering the workforce and veterans, teaching them cooking skills to help build their resumes and feed their families. The lodge also collects used plastic grocery bags to be used when food is distributed.

Pictured in the warehouse in the front row are Cathy Walsh, lodge charity chair; Sunny Mulford, Elk and Epic-Cure executive director; and Sarah McLevy, Lodge Grants Coordinator. In the second row are Epic-Cure volunteers Jane, Maura and Karl.

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Written by Parrish Elks

On Nov. 10, 13 Parrish Lodge members placed American flags at Parrish Cemetery’s 100 veterans’ graves for Veterans Day. Mary McQuoid, Americanism Chair, organized the remembrance.

Pictured are Anthony D'Abbraccio, Pilar Henson, Mary McQuoid, LeeAnn Mitchell, Kim Panza, Sandy Reinhartz, Sherri Crunk-Gumbs, Joe Kline, Debbie Else, Colleen Reinhartz and Sharon Kline.

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Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock, PER

On Nov. 9, Clewiston Elks Lodge #1853 held the Elks South Region Soccer Shoot. Contestants from four lodges attended — Clewiston #1853, Jupiter #2469, Florida Keys#1872 and Greater Pine Island #2781.

Pictured in the front row are Cayden Davis, U-10, first place; Rosa Esparza, U-8, second place; Sophia Velasquez, U-10, second place; Emiliano Garcia, U-10, second place; Brady McCarthy, U-12, first place; Aiden McCarthy, U-8, first place; and Marty Espinoza, South Regional Chair. In the back row are John Hotzfield, Greater Pine Island Exalted Ruler; Daniel Garcia, U-14, second place; Katheryn Rodriguez, U-16, first place; Michelle Rodriguez, U-14, second place; Johnathan Fajardo, U-14, third place; Taylor Davis, U-12, first place; Ryleigh Stravin, U-14, third place; and James Wesie, U-14, fourth place. Not pictured are Charley Mimbs, U-8, first place; Lauren Mickuleit, U-10, first place; Brilen Card, U-12, second place; Madelyn Mickuleit, U-14, first place; and Brison Card, U-14, first place. First place winners will compete in the State Soccer Shoot at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla Jan. 4.

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Written by Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE

On Oct. 23, Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE, Sebastian Lodge Youth Activities Chair, delivered school supplies valued at more than $900 to Fellsmere Elementary School. Supplies were unloaded by the school safety patrol members. The school’s student population is 99% economically disadvantaged, according to a report by U.S. News & World Report.

Pictured is Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE, Youth Activities Chair, and the school safety patrol members.

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Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock, PER

On Oct. 13, Jupiter Elks Lodge members PDD Cindy and Jim Eldred delivered a generator for an Elk in Tennessee still without power more than two weeks after Hurricane Helene. The generator was donated by PDD Larry Littell.

Pictured are Roger Hayes, Exalted Ruler of Erwin, Tennessee Elks Lodge #1985, and his wife, Donna, who accepted the generator on the member’s behalf so they could have running water and power.