News Features
The Front Page - State Sponsor's Message
- President's Message
- Development Director's Message
- Florida Ladies of Elks President’s Message
- Children’s Therapy Services Director’s Message
- Youth Camp Director’s Message
- Our Military & Veterans
- _______________
- DISTRICT NEWS
- Central
- East Central
- North
- North Central
- Northeast
- Northwest
- South
- Southeast
- Southeast Central
- South Southeast
- South Southwest
- Southwest
- Southwest Central
- West Central
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
Share Your Story
We'd love to see & share your Lodge & District Events!
Let's promote what our Florida Elks are doing to support your community
Preserve any person, event, or memory with a personalized brick at your Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Florida.
Learn More
Our Military & Veterans
Gainesville Elks Help Seven More Veterans with Needed Household Items
- Details
- Written by Linda Califf
Between Dec. 23 and Jan. 5, Gainesville Elks Lodge #990 member Linda Califf and Jerry Blanton, a volunteer Army veteran, delivered Welcome Home Kits to seven veterans using the Elks National Veterans Service Commission kit reimbursement program. More than 70 veterans have been served since April 2024. The lodge submits reimbursement requests almost weekly to the ENVSC. It is an ongoing project that the lodge is very proud to be involved with and the veterans served are so grateful. The lodge works with the local HUDVash VA organization and the Honor Center to receive referrals of unhoused veterans moving into independent living.
Pictured are veteran Scott Starling in his home receiving his items and Navy veteran Cory Matchett with his items.
Lakeland Elks Host Elks Olympics with Fundraiser for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Lakeland Elks
On Jan. 25, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 hosted the second round of the fifth annual Elks Olympics between the Lakeland, Plant City and Brandon lodges. Members from each lodge competed in a dart tournament, horseshoe tournament, chicken wing cook-off and a best brownie competition. The 50/50 raised $115 for veterans.
Pictured playing darts is John Hedrick, Lakeland Treasurer. A member from Brandon Lodge is pictured playing horseshoes.
Plant City Elks Lodge Supports Chad's Promise for Veterans' Dogs
- Details
- Written by Plant City Elks
On Jan. 22, Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 donated $500 to Chad's Promise, a 501c3 organization based in Plant City. When a veteran with health problems needs to go into the hospital, they will resist, at the risk of their own life, because they fear they will have to give up their dog — their best friend, companion and lifeline — and never get them back. Chad's Promise boards these dogs for free and returns them when the veterans can leave the hospital. The organization also has transport services. Many veterans have credited their dog for saving them.
Pictured are Chad Landry and Judy Wise, Exalted Ruler.
St. Augustine Elks Donate Gifts to Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home
- Details
- Written by Cathy Walsh
On Dec. 24, St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 donated three Blu-ray DVD players to the Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home for use in their activity room. The lodge also provided items for a New Year’s Eve party, including a 2025 banner, sparkling grape juice, hats, tiaras, noisemakers and fancy glasses.
Pictured in the front row are residents John Ford, Theresa Lewis, Brad Stlas and Vincent Erato. In the second row are Brian Welliver, Exalted Ruler; Janet Barrett, Loyal Knight; and Randy Cook, PER, Leading Knight.
Pensacola Beach Elks Spread Christmas Cheer to Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Dec. 23, Pensacola Beach Elks shared their time, fellowship and holiday spirit with several forgotten warriors who reside at The Blake, an assisted living facility in Pensacola. The Elks provided Christmas gifts of personal hygiene and health care products.
Pictured are John Farill, Navy Korea veteran; Santa (Ken Branch, District Vice President); elf Wayne Levchik, PER; and World War II Army veteran Charles Ramsey.
West Palm Beach Elks Donate $2,000 to Veterans at VA Hospital
- Details
- Written by West Palm Beach Elks
West Palm Beach Lodge purchased 80 $25 gift cards, totaling $2,000, which were given to veterans Dec. 23 who were housed at WPB VA Hospital for Christmas. The cards were purchased by members’ donations in canteen cans throughout the lodge.
Pictured are member Carmen Santoro Jr.; Jose Lopez Velazquez, asst. canteen chief; PDD Ed Morey Jr. and PER Elaine Maes-Morey.
Sanford Elks Golf Tournament Raises $16,000+ for Veterans Projects
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
With 140 players, 50 hole sponsors and seven corporate sponsors, Sanford Elks’ second annual Swing 4 Veterans golf tournament Oct. 5 at Mayfair Country Club raised more than $16,000 for lodge veteran projects. After the tournament, the lodge hosted the players for lunch and giveaways.
Pictured are Jeff Rumler, PDD and Donald Soderblom, Veterans Chair.
Sanford Elks Deliver Lunch to Florida National Guard
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
On Dec. 16, Sanford Lodge members Clint and Jody Earley with their daughter, Jillian, delivered lunch, which was supplied by the lodge, to the Florida National Guard Co B.
Sanford Elks Visit Veterans at Lake Nona Nursing Home
- Details
- Written by Jeff Rumler, PDD
On Nov. 12, Sanford Elks made their monthly visit to the patients at Lake Baldwin Nursing Home. They use their Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to purchase snacks and goodies for the veterans. On Nov. 12, Sanford Elks made their monthly visit to the patients at Lake Baldwin Nursing Home. They use their Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to purchase snacks and goodies for the veterans. Pictured is Kathy Soderblom, spouse of Donald Soderblom, Veterans Chair shaking hands with a veteran. The lodge also participated in the Veteran Giving Tree project, which allowed them to adopt a family of five for Christmas. The program allows the family to request clothing and a wish list item and the kids can select two gifts.
Pictured is Kathy Soderblom, spouse of Donald Soderblom, Veterans Chair shaking hands with a veteran.
South Southeast District Elks Host Army of Hope Picnic
- Details
- Written by SSE District
The South Southeast District held a district picnic to benefit the Army of Hope Nov. 9 at Oakland Park Elks Lodge #2407. All five lodges participated by donating food for the picnic and playing games and raffles. A total of $2,824 was raised.
Viera Elks Lodge Provides Funds to Local Veterans in Need
- Details
- Written by Becky Wills
On Oct. 29 using funds from the Elks National Foundation Focus Grant, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 donated $255.07 to a veteran who was moving into permanent housing to purchase a bed, mattress and bedding. They donated $1,465.51 to a veteran with seven children to cover food costs and moving expenses to permanent housing. Finally, they donated $4,789.61 to a woman veteran for auto repairs so she can drive to work. The lodges partners with the Brevard County Veterans Coalition, which screens the veterans and advises the lodge of those who are in the most critical need of assistance.
Parrish Elks Hold Wreaths Across America Memorial Ceremony
- Details
- Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio
On Dec. 14, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889, with the help of Boy Scout Troop 146 and Trail Life Troop FL-063, held a Wreaths Across America memorial ceremony at the Parrish Cemetery before placing wreaths on veterans' graves. The Parrish Cemetery Association Board as well as family and friends of veterans buried there were invited. Boy Scout and Trail Life members presented the flags, Ken Knight, Lodge Wreaths Across America Chair gave remarks, and Sharon Atkins, lodge chaplain, gave the invocation and benediction. Attorney Jennifer Hamey was the guest speaker. Families were given a wreath to place at their loved one’s gravesite. Then attendees were invited to place wreaths at the remaining veterans' graves.
Pictured are lodge members at the Parrish Cemetery.