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Written by South Miami/Coral Gables Elks

This year, South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 is teaming with the University of Miami Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) program. With a $10,000 Elks National Foundation Impact Grant, the lodge will host four quarterly events for CARD clients on the autism spectrum, along with their families and caregivers. They also have nine one-day talent development events planned. The lodge will work with the CARD staff to offer resume training seminars, a job fair, bingo, a concert and a Christmas party. Beginning in April, and on every third Saturday thereafter, the lodge will also host TOTS — Talent of the Spectrum, an open mic talent show where members on the spectrum can showcase their talents to family, friends and Elk members. The first quarterly event, a family barbecue, was hosted Feb. 25 by 25 Elks, using $1,500 from the grant. Members cooked up hundreds of hamburgers and hot dogs to feed the more than 100 in attendance. After lunch, folks enjoyed a magic show by members and professional magicians from IBM Ring 45. Magicians Jeff Silver and Rick Alan amazed the audience with illusions and sleight of hand, while mentalist Alexander Beresford amazed with demonstrations of the mind. Following the show, attendees were able to attend several events. The athletic attendees were invited to compete in a Soccer Shoot and Hoop Shoot. For others, the lodge game room offered board games such as Monopoly, Yahtzee, Connect 4, UNO and Scrabble. CARD staff member Jennifer Feinstein said all the attendees thoroughly enjoyed themselves. CARD clients and their families and caregivers all got to participate and enjoy the festivities. Exalted Ruler and grant co-writer, Ramon Matos, was thrilled that so many lodge members volunteered to help. Matos is also a client of the CARD program and is the first autistic Exalted Ruler in Florida.

Pictured are lodge members Barry Wake, Pam Wake and Manny Perez serving food; mentalist Alex Beresford with an attendee; magician Jeff Silver; and UM student volunteer Gillian Perez.

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Written by Rita Smith, PER

On Feb. 24, the Tampa Lodge Veterans Committee hosted 28 veterans for a trip on the Hillsborough River. The veterans were from Liberty Manor for Veterans, the Salvation Army and New Beginnings of Tampa. This was the final event using the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant. They boarded the Fun Boat, which is owned by seven-year member, Shannon Wheatley, who was able to give them a great deal. They passed lots of landmarks on the ride and learned some historical facts from the crew. The guests even saw dolphins, which swam around and under the boat. They then went to  Rick’s on the River for lunch. After lunch, the lodge donated $500 from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Salvation Army.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

On March 11, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 donated $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Community Cooperative. The mission of Community Cooperative is to eliminate hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education and social service programs.

Pictured are David Lake, PSP; John Beckett, Exalted Ruler; Irma Spencer; Jade Bird, Community Cooperative director of development; and Roger Spencer, PER.

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Written by Linda Trawle

On Feb. 3, Titusville Elks Lodge #2113 donated $2,000 to OASIS of Central Florida, which sends care packages to the military five times a year. OASIS representatives and lodge members also packed 350 packages at the lodge. The cost with postage was $11,610.16.

Pictured are lodge and OASIS volunteers as well as three active-duty airmen from Patrick Space Force Base, along with the packages.

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Written by Frank Tamberelli, PSP

On Feb. 3, Port Orange Elks Lodge #2723 was honored at the second annual Mayor’s Gala by Daytona Beach mayor, Derrick Henry. The gala was held at the Daytona Beach Hilton Oceanfront Resort and is the major annual fundraiser to combat homelessness in Volusia County. The lodge received the 2024 Community Champion Award, which is presented to an individual or group that has played a remarkable role in supporting and strengthening their local community through selfless acts of philanthropy and service. The lodge has supported the First Step Homeless Shelter in Daytona Beach since 2019, using funds from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and matching funds from the Florida State Elks Association’s Harry-Anna Trust Fund. The lodge has provided metal shelving for both the men’s and women’s dormitories, kitchen equipment, a propane gas grill, and, most recently, five new Hewlett Packard computers. Lodge members cook on the gas grill at least once each month and serve a Saturday lunch to all the residents and staff members. They also interact with the residents and learn their stories, as they truly care that they succeed in returning to society at large. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, lodge members were at the shelter every month. 

Pictured are Frank Tamberelli, PSP, Lodge Advisor; Debra Nordgren, Exalted Ruler; Gary VanOpdorp, trustee and East Central District Vice President; and Derrick Henry, Daytona Beach mayor.

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Written by David Roche

On Feb. 11, Students Working Against Tobacco, Lake County’s branch of the national tobacco-use reduction group, in conjunction with the Eustis Lodge Drug Awareness program, had a table and interacted with more than 50 bingo players as they entered the lodge. The group gave away bags and other swag to the players. The lodge’s Drug Awareness program recently partnered with the group and will be holding more events at the lodge.

Pictured are a student and Sarah MacDonald, director.