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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Fort Pierce Elks Make Two Monthly Donations to Veterans' Facilities
- Details
- Written by Ginny Young
On Oct. 13, Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520 donated $150 worth of food items for the Ardie R. Copas Veterans Nursing Home. Items were used for their cart and candy fall festival gift bags, serving 43 residents. Pictured are Sherika Ayers, activities director/therapy aide supervisor, and Rod Dally, PER, Veterans Chair.
On Oct. 20, Fort Pierce Lodge donated $535 worth of food items to the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System. Pictured are Rod Dally, PER, Veterans Chair; Machelle Jackson, volunteer service specialist; and volunteer Michelle Toussaint.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Write Thank You Notes to Veterans Returning from Parade of Heroes
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
Members of Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge #2855 wrote and sent 100 thank you letters to be delivered to veterans coming home from the Parade of Heroes, held Nov. 12 in Washington, D.C.
Pictured are members Laurie Webber, Ron Webber, Faith Frost and Tracey Lapera writing thank you cards.
Naples Elks Lodge Makes Donation to Warrior Homes of Collier County Delta House
- Details
- Written by Naples Elks
On Oct. 17, Naples Elks Lodge #2010 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant for the Warrior Homes of Collier County Delta House at the ribbon-cutting. Delta House is a building set up for service members to help them with living quarters and expenses. The donation will be used to purchase many of the needed items to furnish rooms for veterans.
Pictured are Richard Lazell, lodge member and veteran; Brian Kamp, lodge grant coordinator; and Dale Mullen, President of Warrior Homes.
Sebring Elks Veterans Committee Provides Gas Cards for Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
Using the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, the Sebring Lodge Veterans Services Committee donated 54 $25 gas cards Oct. 24 to the he Highlands County Veterans Services for local veterans who can't afford gas for their everyday use as well as drive to the VA doctors, who are located 2 1/2 hours away.
Pictured are Lodge Veterans Services Committee officers Brenda Walton, Chair; Michelle Rigterink; and Stephanie Ridgley.
Sebring Elks Receive Awards During Veterans Council of Highlands County Luncheon
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
On Oct. 17, the Veterans Council of Highlands County held its first awards luncheon. Bert Horwitz, PDD was named Sebring Elks Veteran of the Year and Ronna Mason, PER was named Sebring Elks Non-Veteran of the Year. Pictured are Lodge Veterans Services Committee members: Ronna Mason, PER; Brenda Walton; Bert Horwitz, PDD; Diane Morse; and Ron Schilffarth. Walton presented 50 $40 Publix gift cards to Glenn West, council president. They will be given to veterans in need to go along with turkeys for their Thanksgiving meal, which is being provided by the council. The cards were purchased using the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.
New Port Richey Elks Attend Fisher House Opening
- Details
- Written by Carol Lee Spages
Representing New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284, Veterans Services Committee member Elizabeth Groves attended the dedication of a new Fisher House Oct. 21. This house is part of the Bay Pines Veterans Administration and will provide a home away from home for families of veterans who are inpatients at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. Groves presented 30 veterans with veterans' creed cards and stars cut from retired American flags mounted to thank you cards. In recognition of the Elks' support and contribution to the veterans at the affair, Groves was presented with a commemorative Fisher House challenge coin by David Coker, president of the Fisher House Foundation.
Pictured are Veterans Services Committee members John Holbert, a Navy veteran, and Elizabeth Groves.
Eustis Elks Host Halloween Party at Fort McCoy Veterans Village
- Details
- Written by Margaret Schnichels
On Oct. 19, six members and guests of Eustis Elks Lodge #1578 made their monthly visit to Fort McCoy Veterans Village. This month’s theme was a Halloween party. There were 45 residents who attended the lunch, which included games and treats. The event was funded by the ENVSC Freedom Grant.
Pictured are Elk Ann Marks, veteran Duffy and Elk Darla Orr.
Turning Points Stand Down Receives Grant from Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge
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- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On Oct. 3, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Turning Points to purchase food for their Stand Down, held Nov. 4.
Pictured are Andy Guyre, Turning Points manager, and Tom Sweeney, Lodge Veterans Services Chair.
Eighth Veteran Receives Welcome Home Kit from Jacksonville Elks Lodge
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- Written by Deborah Reedy, PER
On Sept. 2, Jacksonville Lodge delivered its eighth ENVSC Welcome Home Kit to veteran Maclyde. Karen Tracy, Veterans Services Chair, and David Graham, Exalted Ruler, delivered a couch, bed, lamps, nightstand, end table, TV stand, bar stools and a dresser along with many other household items. The mattress was purchased using ENVSC Welcome Home Kit funds, and the box spring and bed frame were donated by member Susan Kelly. The dresser, nightstand, end table and tv stand were donated from Our Father’s Housewares Ministry and the lodge donated the bar stools.
Pictured are David Graham and Maclyde.
Veterans at Nursing Home Get Special Recognition from Perry Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Earline Neeley
Perry Elks Lodge #1851 used the Elks National Foundation $1,000 Spark Freedom Grant to buy a new set of clothes and shoes for 14 veteran residents at a local nursing home Sept. 11. Additional funding of $25 was deposited in each veteran’s trust account for their personal use for items not included in their day-to-day care. They also held a social for the veterans, which included a brief presentation of the flags along with a military-themed cake donated by Kim Stephens from Perry First Assembly of God, ice cream, snacks and punch. The veterans enjoyed their special occasion, which was put on by lodge officers.
Pictured are veterans and members attending the social.
Sebastian Elks Donate Fresh Start Kits to Veterans Transition Facility
- Details
- Written by Pauline Talbott
During a visit from State President Joe Cooper Sept. 9, Sebastian Elks Lodge #2714 presented a Fresh Start kit to be given to new residents at the Veterans Transition Facility in Melbourne, Florida. These kits are being made using funds from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and members’ donations. Each kit contains the basic necessities upon arrival, including a twin sheet set, blanket or comforter, pillow, personal hygiene items, bath towels and washcloths, all provided in a duffle bag. The facility is a temporary shelter for veterans and their immediate family members experiencing homelessness. There are 10 apartments housing two veterans or one family per apartment. The facility’s purpose is to provide temporary housing while they search for work, and once employed, to save enough money to acquire more permanent housing and transportation.
Pictured are Mary Ducharme, Ladies Treasurer; Dan Talbott, Exalted Ruler; Mirissa Napolitano, Veterans Transitional Facility director; State President Joe Cooper; and Michael Schodlbauer, PDD, Lodge Veterans Chair.
Viera Elks Lodge Teams with Antlers and Cocoa Elks Lodge to Serve Honor Flight Luncheon
- Details
- Written by Becky Wills
On Sept. 26, led by member Kasha Harrell, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 and some of its Antlers youth volunteers partnered with Cocoa Elks Lodge to prepare 150 lunches for the Honor Flight orientation and for the Coalition of Veterans Organization. Honor Flight takes veterans to Washington, D.C., to view their monuments. The coalition is a group of individuals and member organizations whose purpose is to advocate and educate veterans and the public on issues that impact veterans and their families.
Pictured are Kasha Harrell; Antlers Bella Wessel and Janey Vargas; William Orblych, PDD; and Antlers Jake Vargas, Kody Wessel and Evan Enrique. Also pictured are Daniel Mogob, Cocoa Lodge Exalted Ruler; Wendy Carns, District Vice President; and William Orblych, PDD, Viera Lodge Exalted Ruler.