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P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Crestview Elks and JROTC Honor Veterans with Field of Flags
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
Members of Crestview Elks Lodge #2624 teamed with the Crestview High School JROTC program Nov. 3 to celebrate the annual Veterans Day celebration by installing 150 flags in the field of flags. The flags were presented to honor veterans on Veterans Day. The flags were on display until Nov. 19.
Pictured are members of the CHS JROTC and lodge.
Deep Creek Elks Honor Veterans of All Ages
- Details
- Written by Deep Creek Elks
Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 celebrated the 249th birthday of the United States Marine Corps Nov. 10 by honoring veterans and active-duty members, both from the lodge and the community. The event included speeches, which were then posted in the lodge for others to read, and the singing of the Marie Corps hymn.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional cake-cutting, where the oldest veteran in attendance (right), member Ed Scarsolloni, 86, passes a piece to the youngest veteran in attendance (left), active-duty Marine Arron DesChamps.
Vero Beach Elks Lodge Supports Two Veterans Organizations
- Details
- Written by Carol and Joe Palowich
Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774 gave out grants to two organizations at the Oct. 26 Halloween event. The $2,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant was given to Dogs for Life for Veterans. Pictured are Flo Synenko, Lodge Grants Coordinator; Donna Knerr, PER; Dallas, 7-month old black lab in training; Don Peterson, puppy raiser; and Shelly Ferber, Dogs for Life for Veterans founder and CEO.
The recipient of the $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant was American Gold Star Mothers of IRC. Pictured are Flo Synenko and Donna Knerr with Michelle Dale, president of American Gold Star Mothers of IRC.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Help Poker Run Raise Funds for Wreaths Across America
- Details
- Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks
On Nov. 17, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 participated in a poker run in Sarasota to raise money for Wreaths Across America. The stops included American Legion Post 312, Ruskin Eagles 4351, Kirby Pelot Stewart American Legion Post 24, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge and the Farm Bureau Pavilion. The event raised $2,806, which will provide 249 wreaths for fallen veterans to be placed at Sarasota National Cemetery.
Pictured are members from Ruskin Eagle Riders #4351, Bradenton Elks Riders #1511, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elk Riders #2855, American Legion Post 312, Disabled Veterans Chapter 18 and American Legion Riders Chapter 30.
South Hillsborough Elks Donate to Wounded Warriors in Action
- Details
- Written by South Hillsborough Elks
On Nov. 8, South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 donated its $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to Wounded Warriors in Action in Apollo Beach. The organization helps the nation’s combat-wounded Purple Heart recipients by offering outdoor sporting activities to encourage independence and connections with communities and to promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors.
Pictured are John McDaniel of WWIA and Mary Ellen Maurer, Lodge Grants Coordinator.
Jacksonville Elks Donate 16th Welcome Home Kit to a Veteran
- Details
- Written by Deborah Reedy, PER
Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 delivered its 16th Welcome Home Kit Oct. 11 to U.S. Navy veteran Kenneth. He was most appreciative to receive the basic food and household items, along with furniture pieces. Members David Graham, PER and Rick and Tamy Branch delivered the larger pieces of furniture. Kenneth transitioned from Five Star Veterans Center. Items included a new queen bed, pillows, bedding, blankets, dishes, pots and pans, kitchenware, towels, toiletries, shower liner and rings, paper goods, light bulbs, trash can and bags, cleaning supplies, laundry basket and detergent, coffee maker, and toaster. In addition to the $490.15 spent on kit items, the lodge donated $25 to be used for a food donation for this veteran.
Pictured are Kenneth and kit items as well as David Graham, PER and Rick Branch.
Zephyrhills Elks Veterans Committee Donates Blankets to Nursing Home Residents
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On Sept. 24, the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated 15 lap blankets to Rose Castle Nursing Home in Zephyrhills. Lodge members and volunteers make the blankets with donated yarn. With each blanket they add a note thanking the veterans for their service and finish the note saying that they were made by the Happy Hookers from Scotland Yard.
Pictured are volunteer Dave Greene and Rose Castle director Keith Brown.
Live Oak Elks Sponsor Outings for Veterans at Local Domiciliary Home
- Details
- Written by Live Oak Elks
On Aug. 10, Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 donated two $500 gift cards to the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. State Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City. The funds were from the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant and were presented to Karen Kraszewski, activity therapy aide. One of the gift cards is for bimonthly trips for the veterans to a local cinema and the other is for a return trip to the Tallahassee Auto Museum. The veterans enjoyed the trip so much last year that they asked for sponsorship again this year. The lodge also participates in the Adopt-a-Vet program and sends a monthly check to help cover expenses of a veteran who has been assigned as their adoptee.
Pictured are William Koenigh and Gary Moore, veterans of the domiciliary; Terry Strayer, Secretary; Andy Hillhouse, PER; Janet DaSilva, PDD, VA volunteer of Lake City Elks Lodge #893; Donald Watson, PDD; and Lori Watson, Grant Coordinator.
K9s for Warriors Receives Support from Green Cove Springs Elks
- Details
- Written by Green Cove Springs Elks
On Aug. 12, Green Cove Springs Lodge donated $1,318 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to K9s for Warriors, an organization that trains and provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury and other challenging conditions. The lodge's Past Exalted Rulers charity bingo also donated $1,000 to support their work.
Pictured are Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler; Ed Weston, PER Chair; Rick Kunze, PER, Veterans Chair; Penny Kunze, member; Carol Thorsen Hood, K9s for Warriors puppy raiser, with Ellie; and Stephanie Vogt, K9s community relations manager.
Green Cove Springs Elks Members Recognized for Work with Veterans
- Details
- Written by Green Cove Springs Elks
The Florida Health Care Association's Group presented the Volunteer of the Year Award for the state of Florida to Green Cove Springs Lodge members Penny and Rick Kunze during one of their monthly visits to Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home. The Kunzes accepted the award for their 14 years of monthly volunteerism at the nursing home on behalf of the Lodge, including hosting monthly bingo games, visiting residents with their service dogs in training, attending events, and coordinating fishing trips and outings for the veterans. On Aug. 23, the Kunzes presented the award to the lodge since it is a group volunteer award naming the lodge.
Pictured are Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler; Penny Kunze, and Rick Kunze, PER.
Veterans, Once Homeless, Receive Welcome Home Kits from Miami Elks
- Details
- Written by Miami Elks
On Aug. 30, Miami Lodge purchased and delivered 42 Welcome Home Kits to the veterans at Modern Towers in Homestead, in cooperation with the On Your Six Foundation. The lodge provided them with mattresses and everything they would need for bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens.
Veterans and members assisted in sorting as well as members Sharon Weiss, Ashley Rodriguez, Kat Poerschke, Tony Impellizzeri, Jody Impellizzeri, Maria Solomone (waiting to become a member) and PDD Jeff Muehlfeld.
Miami Elks Donate Needed Items for Veterans at Modern Towers
- Details
- Written by Rachael King
Miami Elks Lodge #948 used its Elks National Foundation Focus Grant Aug. 8-13 to shop, sort and deliver food, cleaning products and personal hygiene products to residents of Modern Towers, along with other donations from the VA ALLIANCE and other donations from grocery stores in the area. The lodge had enough items for 75 families. Modern Towers is an apartment complex that provides permanent housing for veterans and first responders who were previously homeless. The lodge had more than 25 volunteers, both Elks and non-Elks, who participated in this project.
Pictured are members Jody Impellizzeri, Kat Poerschke, Sharon Weiss, Carol Abelleira, Franci Pouza, PDD Jeff Muelfeld and Pauly De Beche.