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Written by Jackie Jacobs

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For about eight years, Tampa Lodge has used the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to provide a holiday meal for those who are homeless at Open Arms Ministry, a division of Hyde Park United Methodist Church. Originally, they fed 200 to 300 people the Sunday before Thanksgiving, but that population dwindled greatly during COVID, as some were moved across the county into shelters and others did not survive. This year, they fed approximately 100 people. All the food was prepared at the lodge. The shopping started more than a week in advance, and the cooking started Thursday, when the 55 pounds of boneless breasts were cooked. On Saturday, Douglas Grant, Steve Kraft, Jeremy Elkins, Ruth Levin and Norm Jones prepped the side dishes. On Sunday, Doug Grant and Jackie Jacobs made the gravy and ran everything through the oven. At 10:30 a.m. the cars were loaded and headed to the church. They were greeted by lodge members Kim Van Walker and Michael Volpe. Susan Brandise and a dozen girls from her rowing team from the Academy of the Holy Names helped them again this year. Elks Patty Volpe, Richelle Nickle, young Jacob, Sue Dawson, Joe Dawson, Rita Smith and Amy Morantes rounded out the Elks crew. Guests were treated to roasted turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, candied yams, corn, cranberry sauce, roll with butter, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. It was much more food than they are to used to getting at one meal, and the line for seconds was very short. Fruit was also offered to the guests. It is purchased weekly by a parishioner who is a pediatrician.

Pictured are lodge and rowing team members serving, Jeremy Elkins and Douglas Grant  prepping dinner, and Ruth Levin and Norm Jones dishing out cranberry sauce.

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Written by Pauline Talbott

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On Nov. 4, members of Sebastian Lodge #2714 painted two apartments at the Veterans Transitional Facility in Melbourne, Florida. The VTF has 10 apartments providing temporary housing for veterans and their immediate families, while assisting them in securing permanent housing. Paint was donated by Richard's Paint Mfg Co. in Rockledge, Florida. The lodge currently supplies fresh start kits to the residents upon arrival to the facility. The lodge members plan to return at a later date to paint the remaining eight apartments. Other improvement projects to the facility are also being explored.

Pictured in the front row are Lida Heydinger, PER; Herman Heydinger, PDD; Pauline Talbott, lodge and ladies member and FLOE President; and Mirissa Napolitano, VTF Director. In the back row are a VTF resident; Louie Reyes, Loyal Knight; Lorraine Signorelli; Mary Ducharme, Ladies Treasurer; Dan Talbott, Exalted Ruler; Michael Schodlbauer, PDD, Lodge Veterans Chair; and Chuck Marchetti, PER.

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Written by Virginia Warfield

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Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 8, St. Petersburg Lodge raised funds during Share the Wealth fundraisers to purchase Mossy Oak hoodies with patriotic themes for veterans, valued at $600. On Dec. 13, they were donated to veterans at C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center at Bay Pines.

Pictured are VAVS Elks representative, Johnny Miller, and Heidi Green, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

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On Nov. 11, Change of Pace, a nonprofit adult day care center, held its annual Walk for Memories fundraiser. Pictured is member Brenda Richards presenting a sponsor check of $500 from the lodge to Cora Schwingel, Change of Pace administrator, Oct. 17. Also pictured in the back row are members who walked in the fundraiser — Sheryl Teachout, Marty Bowers, Brenda Richards and Buddy Richards. In the front row are Ed Kwasnick and Tim Quarqanta, members who attended the Elks table.

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Written by Virginia Warfield

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Members of St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 raised funds during Share the Wealth fundraisers between Oct. 6 and Dec. 1 to purchase items for the 2023 WTSP Channel 10 "10 for the Troops" campaign, which benefits active-duty deployed military members. Supplies valued at $600 included socks, crackers, cookies, nut mix, hard candy, gum, meat snack sticks, lip balm and hand lotion.

Heidi Green, Exalted Ruler, is pictured with supplies.

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Written by Carmen Rivera

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On Nov. 2, Orlando Elks Lodge Drug Awareness Education Chair, Master Deputy Carmen Rivera, held an award ceremony for the third, fourth and fifth graders from Waterford Elementary for participating in the Drug Awareness poster contest. This year’s theme was Be Kind to Your Mind — Live Drug-Free.

Students ages 8 to 11 worked closely with art teacher Donna Lindsay and Rivera. They watched a video on drug awareness, and Lindsay and Rivera talked to them about how drugs are harmful and can cause serious illness. Many students participated, but the top 13 students’ artwork captured their unique thought process and messages through art.

The first place winner, Elsie Hibbard, received $100. She said, “I wanted others to see how black and gray your life can turn when you don’t have a mind of your own.” Then she said that she wanted to make something better for her life. She shows how pretty light and color can bring love of self and those around her. 

The second place winner, Jagger Bohne, received $75. Jagger made a creative drawing, showing how unhappy a person could be with drugs and how wonderful life can be without drugs.

The third place winner, Britney Villafana, received $50. She drew a picture of Jesus with a replica of her dog with a sign saying not to do drugs. Her message was that drugs lead to death and she shows how sad her dog would be without her. Rivera spoke to her mother, Dariana Cruz, who was so surprised and proud of her artwork. She said that when her daughter mentioned the project, she didn’t think twice about it. Then when she saw the artwork on display in the ceremony, she was brought to tears. She hopes that her daughter and all the children remember this contest for the rest of their lives. She thanked the Elks for this project and for making children’s future a priority to keep the country clear of drugs for a better tomorrow.

Rivera shared that “the students enjoyed the presentation and submitted wonderful messages. I had students who expressed how alcohol and drugs were affecting their lives. The staff and I were able to work together and connect them with our school counselors. It’s sad to see these kids so young having to suffer without a parent or knowing someone who died from drug overdose. My message to them as a deputy is to stay away from drugs/alcohol and don’t listen or hang out with friends who will steer you in the wrong direction. Follow the right road and you will succeed and make a beautiful life for yourself and our country.”

Pictured in the front row are Emily Hamilton, Jullian Rivera, Phoenix Swonger, Rosie Hibbard, Elsie Hibbard, Jagger Bohne, Britney Villafana, Graham Roberts, Mariana Green and Victoria Zambrano. In the second row are Master Deputy Carmen Rivera, Lodge Drug Awareness Education Chair; Donna Lindsay, art teacher; Tiara Chimen-Chavez; Alexia Baptiste; Danielle Arbelaez-Willis, principal; and Nylela English.

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Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio

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On Nov. 18, 12 Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 members participated in the Old Cars/Old Trains event at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish by grilling and serving food. They were the only food vendor for the approximately 200 attendees, other than an ice cream truck. Despite the short notice, members sold breakfast egg sandwiches (with or without Canadian ham), muffins, coffee and tea. At 11 a.m., they began grilling and serving hamburgers and hot dogs with various produce, condiments, chips, soda and water, as well as mini veggie trays and cookies. Perhaps not knowing that Parrish is a new lodge, guests wondered where they had been at previous events and hoped they are at future events. Members LeeAnn Mitchell, Chris O'Hare, Sandee D'Abbraccio, Ken Knight and Anthony D'Abbraccio helped plan for the event. Steve Carruthers, PDD, Lodge Advisor, had purchased and donated a new griddle for their lodge, which was put to good use. The profits of $847.84 from the food sales will be split among the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, Elks National Foundation, Hoop Shoot, Veterans Services and the lodge building fund, as they are still searching for a lodge building.

Pictured are members serving attendees at the event from their booth.

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Written by Carla Ray Rhymes

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Members of the Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 Americanism Committee volunteered with the Parent Teacher Association of Waterleaf Elementary Oct. 25 for the Student of the Month awards ceremony. Safety patrol members began the day by raising the American flag. Volunteers passed out “Honor our Flag” decals, children’s guides to the Pledge of Allegiance, and Drug Awareness red ribbons to children and parents in the morning car line. They set up snacks for the Star Students, hand painting and decorating. Elroy the Elk celebrated Red Ribbon Week by providing Drug Awareness literature. Fang, the Jacksonville Icemen’s mascot, also attended. The event included the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence and the national anthem, sung by the Waterleaf Wolves chorus.

Pictured are students raising the flag; future Elk Eli Smith passing out red ribbons; safety patrol members; and Elroy, a Star Student and Fang.