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Written by Linda Killian

On May 11, during National Nurses Week, the Deep Creek Ladies of Elks presented Cynthia Mezius and Kasia Bundz, each pursuing a career in nursing at the Charlotte Technical College, with a $3,000 scholarship. Both of these young women will graduate in June with their LPN licenses and are going on to further their education to become registered nurses. Every Monday the Ladies of Elks sponsors a game called Show Me the Money, of which the entire proceeds are used for granting scholarships. To date, they have granted 12 scholarships to students from CTC for a total of $27,500 to assist students in furthering their educations and careers.

Pictured are Sue Crady, Ladies of Elks President; Kasia Bundtz; Cynthia Mezius; and Kathie Flecken, Inner Guard.

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Written by Carol Lee Spages

On May 6, New Port Richey Lodge participated in the Pasco Alliance of Substance Addiction Prevention's Pedal for Prevention event to kick off National Prevention Week. The event was held in New Port Richey, Florida. Using their Drug Busters goggles, lodge members invited participants to try them on to experience the effects of being under the influence. People tried catching a ball, walking heel to toe and picking something off the ground. When they failed, they were given a red ribbon to remind them to say no to drugs. Elks Drug Awareness mascot, Elroy, visited, and lodge members handed out more than 500 pieces of Elks drug awareness information.

Pictured are Elroy the Elk (lodge member Elizabeth Groves) and event participant Katheleen Tsalopoulos.

Wearing the goggles is Bonnie Snider, Pasco Alliance of Substance Addiction Prevention coordinator.

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Written by Frank Kuczkowski & Gary VanOpdorp, PER

On April 1, Port Orange Lodge honored Steve Parker with an Elks Distinguished Citizen Award for his outstanding efforts in assisting veterans with returning to their homes after they were displaced by Hurricane Ian. Following the historic flooding in the Port Orange area last year from the hurricane, Parker became aware of local veterans who were displaced. He owns his own construction firm and used his resources, including a considerable amount of his own money, to make the repairs necessary to make the homes habitable. Before the award, Parker had never heard of the Elks, but he has since become a very enthusiastic lodge member.

Pictured are Gary VanOpdorp, PER and Steve Parker.

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Written by Ken Fabiani, PER

On April 26, Keith Guzman and his family moved in to their new home in Tampa, Florida. He is the 247th veteran to have their home furnished by the Zephyrhills Lodge Veterans Committee and the Elks Welcome Home Kits. The committee also provided a 45-inch flat-screen television.

Pictured are the Guzman family with lodge member Jim Cross and volunteer Howard Lundsford. Also assisting was Ken Fabiani, PER.

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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.