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Our Military & Veterans
Palmetto Elks Lodge Hosts Annual Army of Hope Fundraiser
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- Written by Palmetto Elks
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On March 22, the Southwest District held the annual Army of Hope luncheon fundraiser at Palmetto Elks Lodge #2449. The event raised more than $5,900 through luncheon tickets, a 50/50 raffle, and a chance auction for gift baskets, donated by each lodge in the district. The event was open to the public. The Florida Elks Army of Hope program allows military members to safely concentrate on their duties without worrying about their families at home. Guest speakers were Edward Valdez, retired Marine, and Molly Boardman, retired from the Army.
Pictured are Steve Boardman, Molly Boardman and Edward Valdez.
Pensacola Beach Elks Support Local Veterans
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- Written by Pensacola Beach Elks
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On March 3, the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge’s Forgotten Warrior Committee, chaired by veteran Carey Seigle, donated $1,000 from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to provide coffee and doughnuts along with companionship to veterans living in six local assisted living facilities.
On March 10, Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 donated the $4,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to AHERO (American Heroes Enjoying Recreation Outdoors), a local 501(c)3 organization. Its mission is to reduce veteran suicide by providing outdoor activities for veterans and first responders by helping them recover from physical wounds and psychological trauma. A-Hero provides all lodging, meals and transportation costs for the activities and access to therapists, drug and alcohol counseling, pain management, and VA.
Hollywood Elks Support Two Local Veteran Organizations
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- Written by Telly Sands
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On March 5, the Hollywood West Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated $500 to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc. The donation was made in memory of departed Lodge Veterans Chairs Sal Grilli and George Caffrey. Also on March 5, the lodge and the Veterans Committee each donated $100 to support the third annual Anchor Bar Vietnam Veterans of America golf tournament fundraiser, which will benefit the VVA Chapter 23 in Fort Lauderdale.
Ormond Beach Elks & Army of Hope Provide Mattress to Veteran Transitioning from Homelessness
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- Written by Debbie Brozyna
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On Feb. 26, Ormond Beach Elks facilitated the donation of a much-needed $2,000 specialized mattress for a veteran transitioning to permanent housing from Barracks of Hope. This organization, located in Daytona Beach, provides transitional housing, mental health counseling, case management, group sessions and assistance with locating permanent housing for veterans experiencing homelessness. Peggie Sue McClellan, PER, Lodge Veterans Committee member, approached the Florida Elks’ Army of Hope program for the assistance.
Pictured are veteran Luis Hernandez; Peggie Sue McClellan, PER; Brandy Conaway, Barracks of Hope facility manager; and Norm Beatty, Barracks of Hope case manager.
Jacksonville Elks Fulfill Second Welcome Home Kit of the Year
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- Written by Deborah Reedy, PER
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On Feb. 7, Jacksonville Elks delivered a Welcome Home Kit to U.S. Army veteran Tiara, a doula and mother of three young children. She was very happy to receive a couch, dresser, other small furniture pieces, household supplies, and books for her children. Members Robin and John Pipkins delivered the larger pieces of furniture.
Pictured are Tiara with Karen Tracy, Lodge Veterans Chair. Also pictured are Karen Tracy, Tiara and Robin Pipkins.
West Citrus Elks Team with St. Vincent de Paul CARES to Provide Welcome Home Kits to Veterans
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- Written by Brian Estus, PDD
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When a previously homeless veteran moves into their home, they usually only have a bed. On March 5, the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee used the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to help make the move a much better experience. The members purchased 27 coffee pots, 10 microwave ovens, 27 Crock-Pots and 57 shower curtains for St. Vincent de Paul CARES to help welcome veterans into their new homes.
Pictured seated in front is Charlie Mattingly. In the first row are Corel Graham of St. Vincent de Paul CARES with members Pat Lehman, Orlan Hayes, Donna Hayes, Susan Adams, Joanne Hepner, Roxie Bartosek and Deb Lawrence. In the second row are Ed Wilson and Matthew Miller of St. Vincent de Paul CARES and members Dolly Hall, Terri Harrison and Ida Maslinski.
Bradenton Elks Provide Fishing Trip for 16 Veterans
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- Written by Bradenton Elks
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On March 10, Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 hosted a veterans’ fishing trip using the $4,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. John Louhier, Leading Knight; Rod Rodeman, Loyal Knight; and 16 veterans boarded five boats, and each boat reached its limit of sea trout and also caught redfish, mackerel and snook.
Pictured are Captain Colby Gregory, veterans John Wayne Greenwell and Steve Norman, and Rod Rodeman.
Brandon Elks & Ladies Make Crafts for Hospitalized Veterans
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- Written by Brandon Elks
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In support of February being National Salute to Veteran Patients Month, the members and spouses of Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 and Brandon Ladies of Elks made homemade crafts for the veterans at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital at the request of Robin Rutzke, Lodge Veterans Chair and Leading Knight. Lara McCleary, Jerrilyn Pietro, Jackie Florentino and Terri Ciesla, Ladies President, made items such as themed door hangers, eyeglass cases made from potholders, and women’s jewelry.
Pictured Feb. 26 is Rutzke delivering the items to Rashad Thompson with the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at JAHVH. Also pictured are Brandon Ladies of Elks Jackie Florentino and Lara McCleary displaying some of the donated items.
Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge Helps USO Celebrate 85th Anniversary
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Feb. 4, the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge Veterans Committee celebrated the United Service Organization’s 85th anniversary by donating 17 large bags of candy. The individually wrapped candy will be available for troops using USO facilities. It was distributed to the four USO locations throughout the Pensacola area, including the Pensacola Airport and base locations. The USO was founded in 1941 to support U.S. military morale with entertainment, care packages and, more recently, transition services.
Pictured are Iris Santiago, USO area operations manager; Carey Seigle, lodge member; and Mary Ellen Schaffer, USO center ops specialist.
West Citrus Elks Veterans Committee Donates $1,500 to Honor Flight of West Central Florida
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- Written by Brian Estus, PDD
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On Feb. 5, using funds generated by Veterans Committee projects, the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated $1,500 to Honor Flight of West Central Florida. This donation will allow three central Florida veterans to fly to Washington, D.C., to tour the monuments.
Barbara Mills of Honor Flight, front middle, is pictured with members Debbie Lawerence and Susan Adams (front row, middle); Roxie Bartosek, Pat Lehman, Cheryl Renteria, and Joanne Hepner (middle row); and Dolly Hall, Terri Harrison, Donna Hayes, and Orlan Hayes (back row).
Brandon Elks & Ladies Donate 100 Gift Bags to Hospitalized Veterans
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- Written by Brandon Elks
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Brandon Elks Lodge members and Brandon Ladies of Elks donated money, items and volunteer time for this year’s New Year’s gift bags for veterans of James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. The lodge assembled 100 gift bags (85 for men and 15 for women) for the veterans in the polytrauma unit and spinal cord injury center. Ladies members donated $1,033.88 and lodge members donated $63.72. In addition, 50 hand crocheted lap blankets valued at $1,000 were donated by the Brandon Senior Center ladies, organized by Mary Lou Schreck, Lodge Secretary. Kathy Bilinski, Lodge Grants Coordinator, secured a $1,000 Elks National Foundation Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to assist with costs of this yearly project. On Jan. 2, lodge and Ladies members assembled the bags.
Robin Rutzke, Lodge Veterans Chair, is pictured delivering the bags Jan. 23 to Holly Wilson of JAHVH Career Development and Civic Engagement. Also pictured are Jackie Florintino and Charlene Hart; Charlene Hart, Past Lady President Ann Fox, and Beth Benham; and Past Lady President Jane Gilblair (front) and Donna Mancuso-Fultz and Jackie Floritio (back).
Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Host Car Show Fundraiser for Army of Hope
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- Written by Bonita Springs-Estero Elks
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On Jan. 17, Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Lodge #2753 hosted a classic car show, with 69 vehicles on display, to benefit the Army of Hope. The lodge sold 50/50 tickets and T-shirts and held a chance auction. The event raised $6,130, which was presented Feb. 22 at the annual South Southwest District Army of Hope picnic at Rotonda Lodge #2710. The district raised more than $30,000.
Pictured are Bonita Springs-Estero Lodge members Shirley Thompson, Dewey Lashua and Frank LaBletta with Vincent Primavera, District Vice President and member of North Fort Myers Lodge #2742.