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Our Military & Veterans
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Take Part in Veterans Stand Down
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- Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks
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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- Written by Manasota Elks
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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- Written by Sarasota South Elks
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.
Sarasota South Elks Walk in Veterans Day Parade
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- Written by Sarasota South Elks
On Nov. 11, members from Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 walked in the Sarasota Veterans Day parade.
Pictured are Dee Pico-Keim, Chris Keim, Bob Holmes, Paul DiBona, Paul Garcia and Susan Netupski.
Veterans Treated to Boat Tour and Lunch by Tampa Elks Lodge
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- Written by Rita Smith, PER
On Nov. 1, Tampa Elks Lodge #708 used its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to treat veterans experiencing homelessness from Salvation Army and Liberty Manor for Veterans to a narrated sightseeing trip through the Downtown Tampa waterways, followed by lunch at a waterside café. Nine Elks also participated and socialized with the veterans. Every participant agreed it was a pleasant and relaxing morning, and both groups were profuse in their gratitude.
Pictured are veterans and members on the boat.
Bradenton Elks Donate Needed Items to Veterans at C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center
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- Written by Bradenton Elks
On Nov. 1, Bradenton Elks Lodge members donated socks, underwear, toothbrushes and other toiletries to C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Pictured are Johnny Miller, Elks VAVS Representative to the VAMC, and Bill Rauh, Lodge Veterans Chair.
Brandon Elks Raise Funds for Gold Star Families Memorial Monument
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- Written by Brandon Elks
Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 raised more than $2,400 from raffles and member donations for the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Hillsborough County Veterans Park. The lodge’s name appears on the donor plaque at the Veteran Resource Center at the park. On Oct. 11, the memorial monument was dedicated.
Pictured with the monument is Jeffrey Sklut, lodge member and senior member of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Committee.
Lakeland Elks Host Annual Picnic at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
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- Written by Lakeland Elks
On Oct. 5, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 held its annual picnic at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa. The event was chaired by members Char Fisher and Kristen Francks. Thirty-three members prepared and served meals to more than 600 patients and hospital staff members. The menu included hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, potato chips, applesauce, cookies, soft drinks and bottled water. They delivered meals to patients’ rooms if they were unable to attend the cookout. Garry Malone, Lodge Secretary, provided the music. The food and supplies were purchased with the $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and $4,375 from the lodge veterans fund.
Pictured are the member volunteers as well as chairs Kristen Francks and Char Fisher and Garry Malone with the music system.
Fort Walton Elks Participate in Panhandle Warrior Partnership Resource Fair & Standdown
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Nov. 5, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 took part in the annual Panhandle Warrior Partnership Stronger Together Resource Fair & Standdown, which serves veterans, those who are unhoused and those in need of community services. The PWP is committed to improving veterans’ quality of life in northwest Florida through the coordination of local services and opportunities, from housing and employment to enrollment in VA benefits, health care, recreation and more. The lodge provided $1,000 worth of men’s and women’s underwear, T-shirts and socks.
Pictured are Mark Wynn, Loyal Knight; Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, board chairman; Kevin Clemons, PDD, Northwest District Leader; and Paul Eubanks, PER, trustee.
Holiday Isles Elks Make Donation to USA Patriots
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- Written by Pattie Cloud
The USA Patriots, formerly known as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, has been a registered nonprofit since 2011, after the need for continued rehabilitation options for wounded veterans had begun to rise. Through slow-pitch softball, the organization provides athletic programming and youth programming initiatives to teach the abilities of adaptive sport by veterans and engages veterans in communities to show off the abilities they now have as post-trauma athletes. On Oct. 17, Holiday Isles Elks Lodge members presented a $1,000 donation to support their ongoing work.
Pictured are Anne-Marie Brooks, far left, member and Madeira Beach mayor; Richard DeBlasio, center, member and Volunteer of the Year; and Paula DeBlasio, far right, Lodge Secretary. Pictured with them are team members from the USA Patriots and a local softball team made up of firefighters from the Madeira Beach Fire Department.
Holiday Isles Elks Host Pizza Party to Raise Funds for Veterans
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- Written by Pattie Cloud
On Sept. 19 in honor of National POW/MIA Remembrance Day and National Pepperoni Pizza Day, Holiday Isles Elks Lodge #1912 hosted a pizza party to benefit the Bay Pines Veterans Volunteer Services Center and the West Coast Central District Veterans Fund. Members of the lodge and the community came in large numbers to support these very important services. Pizza was donated by Jim Breazeale, member and owner of DeLosa'a Pizza. There was live music from Gypsy Edge, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, and Jamie Everett played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes before a moment of silence to honor service members who never came home. The event raised $2,000, of which $1,500 was donated to the Bay Pines VA Volunteer Service Center and $500 was donated to the West Coast Central District Veterans Fund.
Pictured are Debbie Rase, House Committee chair, and Dee Mercer, House Committee member, presenting the $500 donation to John Wilson, center, chair of the West Coast Central District Veterans Fund. Also pictured is Rob Frazier receiving $1,500 in gift cards to distribute to veterans in need.
Cocoa Beach Elks Shop with Veterans for their New Homes
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- Written by Susan Janes
In October, Cocoa Beach Elks joined 10 veterans on their shopping trip for their Welcome Home Kits. These veterans are transitioning into housing. The lodge provided them with more than $3,500 worth of goods and food. Pictured are Daniel, a veteran, and member Lisa Mulone.
