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Written by JoAnn Reddy

Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies volunteers of Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota and Bradenton lodges had another successful school year, packing and sending home 600 meals each weekend with students from 10 schools. For approximately 30 weeks from September to May, this amounts to nearly 18,000 meals. Food was purchased using funds from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude and Beacon grants as well as from lodge fundraisers and community donations.

Pictured April 14 at Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge are members from both lodges coming together to celebrate their success and plan for next year.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

Using the Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants as well as the state association matching grant, Sebring Lodge helped sponsor the purchase of a used truck for Hands for Homeless in Avon Park, Florida. This truck will be seen around Hardee, Polk and Highlands counties and will be hauling fresh and dried foods to be distributed to those in need from the Avon Park location. The truck is also being used to pick up used furniture for the Hands for Homeless thrift store. Foods are continually collected by the Monday night charity bingo as well as Elk members. 

Pictured April 12 are lodge members Joe Stockenberg, Ken Wheeler, Darlene Quel, Ron Schilffarth, Bob Lewis, Jonathan Spiegel, Mark Richards and Jim Mason in front of the newly painted truck, spotlighting the Elks logo. 

Jonathan Speigel, Exalted Ruler; Joe Stockenberg, Leading Knight; and Jim Mason, PDD, are pictured loading the truck.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

For many years, Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 put on a prom at the lodge for Willis Peters Exceptional Center, a school in Dover, Florida, for students with a wide range of disabilities. For the past few years, the prom had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. This year, Nickie Wells, PER contacted the school about holding a prom again, which they did April 13 with help from the school and lodge volunteers (Ed Ciesla, Exalted Ruler; Donald Harrison, Leading Knight; Sharon Hammersla, PDD, trustee; Nancy Price, Treasurer; Lou Valencia, Loyal Knight; and Nickie Wells, PER). The theme was “Fire and Ice” and to better accommodate the students, the prom was held at the school. Elroy the Elk (Ed Ciesla) mingled with the students. Lodge members cooked and served chicken nuggets, French fries, pizza squares and themed cupcakes, all paid for by the lodge. Wells has pledged to work with the school each year to ensure the prom continues to be an annual event supported by the lodge.

Pictured are Donald Harrison and Elroy (Ed Ciesla) with the students; PER Nickie Wells, Lou Valencia and Nancy Price; and the themed cupcake table.

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Written by Diane Sharp

Largo Elks Lodge #2159 used its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to host a baby shower March 25. Guests were clients of the Bay Area Pregnancy Center (BAPC). The BAPC is a pregnancy resource center established to assist families throughout their pregnancy and parenting journey. They provide many free services such as counseling, pregnancy and parenting classes, baby supplies, and more. Ten expectant mothers and their families, along with lodge members and the BAPC staff, attended the shower. The mothers received a homemade tote bag containing many items new mothers need. They also received jewelry, a $50 gift card and a door prize. Most of the door prizes were knitted or crocheted blankets or homemade quilts made by lodge members. A light lunch and cake were served. Siblings attending the shower received several books appropriate for their age. Elroy, the Elks Drug Awareness mascot, made an appearance as well. Lodge members donated clothing, pacifiers, bibs, receiving blankets, washcloths, hooded towels, hats, socks, baby lotion, baby soap, toys and rattles. The shower committee bought 15 baby monitors, more books for children and three baby cradles.

Committee members pictured are DiAnn Anselmi; Michelle Gustine, BAPC counselor; Marsha Rimer – BAPC CEO; Tina Cook, BAPC counselor; Alice Lyons, PER; Chrissy Horner; Diane Sharp; Diane Mercer; Cindy Grant; Linda Hamby; and Brenda Ford.

Also pictured are Elroy, two guests and Diane Sharp, PER.

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Written by Shirley Thompson

On April 6, Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Lodge #2753 presented a $2,827 check to Jeff Morse, founder of the Brotherhood Ride. The donation came from the lodge’s fashion show March 18 to benefit the Brotherhood Ride. There were 191 ladies in attendance with Rebecca’s of Mercato of Naples providing the fashions. The Brotherhood Ride is made up of first responders who ride bicycles to honor those who have died in the line of duty, showing the families, friends and coworkers that they will never be forgotten.

Pictured are Jeff Morse, Shirley Thompson, Candy Morse and Pete Thompson.

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Written by Chuck Stieb

On March 25, the Southwest District hosted a homecoming and fundraiser 12-5 p.m. for State President Danny Tabor, PSP at Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511. Tabor is currently waiting for a bone marrow transplant after receiving platelets and blood at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. After the proper person is chosen for the transplant, he will have several months to recover at Moffitt. There were 250 people in attendance from all seven district lodges — Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota, Manasota, Palmetto, Sarasota South, South Hillsborough and Venice-Nokomis — along with state association and Grand Lodge officers. A total of $6,400 was raised.

Pictured are Joe Cooper, Vice President at Large, and his wife, Allie; Danny Tabor, State President, and his wife, Rachel; and Susan Klatt and Bryan Klatt, Grand Lodge Secretary.