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Written by Becky Wills

On Aug. 4, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 hosted a back-to-school party for Family Promise of Brevard, an organization whose mission is to end family homelessness in Brevard County by collaborating with the community to provide families the support needed to put themselves on a path toward long-term housing stability. The lodge provided lunch for everyone in attendance and supplied backpacks filled with school supplies and gift cards for shoes to the children in the program. During this party, the children were also provided with a free wellness screening along with a free haircut if desired. This event was funded by an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant and was hosted by members Bill Orblych, PDD, Secretary, and Vinnie and Patti Traviglia.

Viera Lodge hosts a back-to-school party Aug. 4 for Family Promise of Brevard, an organization focused on ending family homelessness. Pictured at the right are hosts Bill Orblych, PDD, Secretary, and Patti Traviglia.

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Written by Judy Wise

On Sept. 14, Plant City Lodge Exalted Ruler, Ron Johns, along with member Judy Wise and her granddaughter Charlise, joined forces with the local Lions Club and Woman’s Club along with the help of local high school students to collect items for The Bahamas survivors of Hurricane Dorian. As a result of teaming with the community, the group filled a large rental moving truck that transported the much needed items to the local small airport where the Aviation Club donated their private planes and fuel and transported the goods to The Bahamas. Approximately $8,000 in donated goods was collected. The combined expenses of the plane transportation and fuel donation by the Aviation Club was approximately $5,000. Eight Elks worked shifts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. They set up a drop-off collection point at the parking lot of the Southern Hospitality and Hardee’s restaurant on Collins Street in Plant City, Fla. The lodge was instrumental in pulling the community together and combining forces to aid The Bahamas survivors who are in desperate need after the hurricane.

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Written by Ronna Mason

On Sept. 7, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 participated in the collection of supplies heading to The Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Items were trucked to St. Petersburg, Fla., and then flown to the islands. Lodge members Reggie Lemmen and Ronna Mason were instrumental in procuring of 584 bars of OSANA © mosquito repellent bars of soap donated by the OSANA company. These bars are meant to assist in the prevention of mosquito-borne illnesses other illnesses caused by the lack of sanitation.

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Written by Russ Smith

On June 1, South Lake Elks Lodge #1848 held its first of what will be an annual event – a floating poker run on the Chain of Lakes in Clermont, Fla. The community involvement was immense with local businesses and individuals coming together to raise money and awareness for the Florida Elks Youth Camp and Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services. After expenses, the total donation was $15,141. There were 42 boats registered and approximately 300 participants, members and prospective members alike. The event also resulted in 16 applications for membership.

Pictured at the donation presentation from South Lake Lodge to FEYC and FECTS June 19 are (front row) Mendy Bacon, event organizer; Colleen Gallant, FECTS Director; and Denise Kalman-Smith, Exalted Ruler. In the middle row are Lavida McNeil, Lynette Turner, Lisa Scott and Bea Meeks, board of directors member. In the back are Adam Morgan; Nicky Bacon; Russ Smith, North Central District Vice President; and Len Cremissio, Leading Knight.

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Written by Richard Kampf, PER

On June 8, Cape Coral Elks Lodge #2596 celebrated its 40th anniversary by hosting its second annual 5K run/walk. They also held an open house and had a ceremonial cake-cutting ceremony with Past Exalted Rulers, lodge officers and charter members. Proceeds of $1,000 from the event will benefit Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services. The lodge also gained 22 members.

Attending the Cape Coral Lodge 40th anniversary are Kathleen Kovach, Treasurer; Jim Fraser, Leading Knight; Cathy Reilly, Chaplain; Edward Broderick, Secretary; Joan Foye, PER; Rosemarie Fallon, PER; Rich Kampf, PER and Exalted Ruler; Tom Bellini, charter member and trustee; Mary Ellis, PER; John Nugent, Loyal Knight; Daniel Keating, PER; far background, Gary Downs, Tiler; and Kenneth Kovach, board of directors chairman.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

On May 8, Elks National Foundation MVS scholarship winner Jake Mann visited Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 to thank the members for sponsoring him and giving him the opportunity to apply for the scholarship. He was in the top 20 nationally and will receive $20,000 over the next four years. He plans to attend Duke University in the fall. He recently returned from Chicago where he enjoyed a weekend with fellow scholarship winners at the sixth annual leadership conference. The scholarship recipients bonded over their diversity and shared their ambitious goals for the future. He is pictured with Exalted Ruler, Melba McCleave.