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Our Military & Veterans
Naples Elks Present Donation to Got Your Six to Support Veterans' Service Dogs
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Naples Elks Lodge #2010 donated $2,000 Dec. 10 to Got Your Six, whose mission is to provide veterans with service dogs at no cost to them, giving veterans independence, stability and a trusted partner. They ensure each dog receives lifelong support from training and placement through their working years into retirement.
Pictured are Bob Costello, Exalted Ruler; Lisa Frey, founder of Got Your Six, with a service dog; Brian Kamp, Lodge Grants Coordinator; Arlene Hansen, Lodge Secretary; and Kim LeBetz, Lodge Treasurer.
South Hillsborough Elks Present Grants to Wounded Warriors in Action
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On Oct. 23, South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 donated a total of $4,500 from its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Wounded Warriors in Action. Purple Heart recipients were treated to dinner and entertainment after the check presentation. WWIA, a 501(c)(3) organization in Apollo Beach, serves the nation’s combat wounded Purple Heart recipients by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities to recognize and honor their sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, and promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors. The veterans are flown to Duluth, Minnesota, and go to the woods to hunt and fish for three days. They begin with a meet and greet to bond with fellow wounded warriors. If walking is an issue, ATVs are on-site to assist. These trips mean a lot to those they help. C. Ohmer, USMC, Purple Heart recipient, says, “Thank you so much for everything you do to put these events on. Thank you for tricking me into thinking I was going on a hunting trip when in reality you brought me on a bonding trip. With all these trips you do, you are doing so much good healing for vets. This has been such a great bonding and healing weekend, spending time with brothers. It was so wonderful to be able to cut loose and laugh and be able to shut off the constant alertness and be able to relax. I can’t thank you enough for this healing experience.”
Pictured with John McDaniel of WWIA are members Mary Ellen Maurer and Grace Bibisi.
Cocoa Beach Elks Distribute Supplies from Space Coast HR Association Board of Directors for Unhoused Veterans
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- Written by Susan Janes
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On Nov. 1, the Space Coast HR Association Board of Directors members donated 50 backpacks full of toiletries and personal care items to Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387. Lodge members then distributed them to veterans who are unhoused.
Pictured are Mary Ladwig, Veterans Chair; member Jim Dickson; and SCHRA board members Michelle Tatum Bush, Jennifer Dickson, James Crook, Suzanne Witenhafer, and Jessica Beck.
Palm Coast Elks Veterans Committee Supports Gratitude America
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- Written by David Valinski
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On Nov. 8, the Palm Coast Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated $2,500 from its fundraising efforts to Gratitude America during its quarterly Veterans Retreat dinner at the lodge. Gratitude America, which supports veterans coping with PTSD through counseling and wellness retreats, accepted the donation before an audience of about 100 attendees. Anthony shared a presentation on Gratitude America’s programs and presented the lodge with a statue featuring the organization’s flag.
Pictured are Gratitude America members Steve Gallagher and Michael Anthony, Exalted Ruler Pete Lehnertz, and Veterans Committee member Sean Reardon.
Palm Coast Elks Veterans Committee Helps Feed Food-Challenged Veterans at Holidays
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- Written by David Valinski
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On Oct. 30, the Palm Coast Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated $2,500 from its fundraising efforts to the Grace Community Food Pantry and Team Feed Flagler to help feed food-challenged veterans and their families during the holidays. The donation will fund grocery gift cards for verified veterans in need, distributed through the Disabled American Veterans organization.
Pictured are Exalted Ruler, Pete Lehnertz; member Heather Thompson; DAV members Ernie Morris and Larry Rekart; Team Feed Flagler member Lee Willman; Grace Community Food Pantry coordinators, Dottie and Sam Colletta; and Veterans Committee members Sean Reardon, Jerry DiMenna, and Dave Valinski.
West Palm Beach Elks Take Part in Veterans Day Parade
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On Nov. 9, 25 members from West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 participated in the West Palm Beach Veterans Day parade. Participants included the lodge’s Elks Riders, member walkers and the Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services van.
Sanford Elks Lodge Hosts Third Annual Swing 4 Veterans Golf Tournament
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Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 hosted its third annual Swing 4 Veterans golf tournament Oct. 11 at Mayfair Country Club in Sanford. With 110 players, 40 hole sponsors and seven corporate sponsors, the tournament raised more than $13,300 to help support the lodge’s many veterans projects. Following the tournament, the lodge hosted all attendees for lunch, a silent auction and giveaways.
Pictured are players ready to go in golf carts. Also pictured are Jeff Rumler, PDD, Lodge Secretary, and Donald Soderblom, Lodge Veterans Chair and Elks VAVS Representative for Orlando VA Medical Center.
Jacksonville Elks Lodge Hosts Veterans Resource Fair
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- Written by Deborah Reedy, PER
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Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 held a veterans resource fair Oct. 18 using its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant. Eight organizations — Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1046, Five Star Veterans Center, Disabled America Veterans, UF Health, City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department, VFW Chapter 1689, and Jacksonville National Cemetery — were present with information and resources available to veterans. Speakers gave overviews of what they can offer to veterans. After lunch, attendees could visit with the agency representatives. More than 30 veterans attended and received information on VA benefits, UF Health’s brain health program, and services offered by the COJ Military Affairs and Veterans Department. Everyone received a goody bag with personal and hygiene items. Leftover bags were sent to Five Star Veterans Center to distribute to the veterans in residence there. The lodge held a 50/50 with half going to an attendee and half going to an organization.
Amanda Mills with Five Star Veterans Center, pictured, won the attendee half and the Rotary Club’s Pat Mulvihill, pictured with Lodge Veterans Chair, Karen Tracy, received the other half for an organization.
Aripeka Elks Invite Steps to Recovery Veterans to Veterans Day Dinner
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- Written by Mary Lavengood
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The Aripeka Elks Lodge’s Veterans Committee and Exalted Ruler, Chick Anderson, invited 20 veterans from the Steps to Recovery program to join the lodge for Veterans Day dinner Nov. 11. Jack Mariano, Pasco County commissioner, a strong supporter of veterans activities in the county, spoke to 51 veterans and their spouses, thanking them for their courage and dedication and the impact they have had on the nation. The lodge supports Steps to Recovery with monthly collections of hygiene and household products to assist them in a successful return to civilian life. The Hudson High School Junior ROTC provided the presentation of the flags.
Pictured are veterans from the lodge and Steps to Recovery with Jack Mariano, county commissioner, far right in front.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Take Part in Veterans Stand Down
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On Nov. 1, the Veterans Committee of Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 participated in a local Stand Down and used $4,000 of its $6,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to purchase 230 backpacks, toiletries, protein bars and blankets, which were distributed to veterans experiencing homelessness. They donated the remaining $2,000 to help feed veterans during the event.
Pictured are members Claire Melia, Rosalie Hika, Greg Hika and Jim Clark.
Manasota Elks Take Part in Turning Points' Stand Down
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On Nov. 1, Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 used its $6,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to support the local Stand Down, sponsored by Turning Points. They donated a portion of the funds to the organizer to purchase needed items, such as bus passes. The balance was used to purchase backpacks imprinted with Elks Care — Elks Share. They then purchased toiletries for the backpacks, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, shampoo, toilet paper, shaving kits and more. They held a backpack stuffing party before the event. At the event, they had a table in the veterans only section and distributed the backpacks.
Pictured are Jim Klocke, PER; Spike Klocke, member; Kathleen Kramer, Turning Points director; and Margie Dawson and Andy Guyre of Turning Points.
Sarasota South Elks Attend Veterans' Pin Ceremony at Aviata at Beneva
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Aviata at Beneva, a long-term care facility, is one of the facilities that Sarasota South Elks Lodge members deliver Depression Dinners to Monday nights. On Nov. 10, Aviata at Beneva invited lodge members, along with representatives from Knights of Columbus and Tidewell Hospice, to a pinning ceremony to honor the service and achievements of its veteran residents. Renee Kinley, activities director, thanked everyone for helping make the Aviata residents feel cared for.
Pictured with three residents are member Bob Holmes, a Navy veteran who also received a pin; Paul DiBona, Treasurer; Debbie Morton, Secretary; Paul Morton, Leading Knight; Carol Garcia, and Paul Garcia, Exalted Ruler.