Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Diane Hendrick

On March 14, several members of Fort Myers Ladies of Elks toured the Hearts and Homes for Veterans facility. Hearts and Homes is a Florida nonprofit corporation created to support veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness who find themselves without the necessities of everyday life. After the informative tour, Connie Leventhal, Fort Myers Ladies of Elks President, presented David Santini, Director of Hearts and Homes, a check for $350 from the Ladies. The donation came from heart cutouts the Ladies members sold at the lodge throughout February.

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Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock

Lodge members from the Southeast District participated in National Salute Week at the West Palm Beach VAMC Feb. 17-18. During this event, Elks passed out snacks, poured coffee and distributed information about Florida Elks Charities to the veterans who very much enjoyed themselves.

Pictured in the front row are Ed Morey Jr., District Vice President, and members Bobby Josefsberg and LeRoy Bagley II. Behind them are Sean Maguire, PSP and Frank Sellers, VAVS Representative.

Also pictured are Cindy Eldred, PER, State Veterans Chair, and Michelle Harper, PER.

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Written by Cathy Redman

On Feb. 20, Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 took part in the annual South Southwest District Army of Hope Picnic hosted at Englewood Elks Lodge. The event had participation from the district lodges between Naples and Englewood. The Army of Hope supports Florida families of active deployed military in need. Lee Hale from Rotonda Lodge introduced the Rotonda West American Legion Post 113 Color Guard for the opening ceremonies. At midday, the event total had reached $19,000. Rotonda Elks cooked and served the donated hamburgers and hot dogs and other lodges served their donated food and desserts as well, with 100% of sales donated to the Army of Hope.

Pictured is the Rotonda West American Legion Color Guard with Rotonda Lodge members Jackie Palumbo; Cathy Redman; Roger Redman, PER; Kathy Dardis; Patricia Lagasse; Ed Lagasse; Tess Barstow; Manfred Friedrich; Kim Friedrich; Chris Dardis; and Annette Dardis. Not pictured because they were setting up are Jean Humphreys, Exalted Ruler; Bob Humpreys, PER; Sherry Toth, Lodge Secretary; Ed Toth, Leading Knight; and members John Blachette, Betty Blachette and Dave Ginther.

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Written by Char Fisher

Geoff Hopkins, Supervisor of Recreation Therapy & Creative Arts Therapy at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Florida, provided the Lakeland Elks Lodge Veterans Committee with a dream/wish list of items they wanted to assist them with their therapy and treatment of patients. On Feb. 18, lodge members delivered all the items on their wish list, which filled a trailer and totaled just over $11,100. Hopkins and his staff were speechless. The donations included various craft kits (stained glass, sewing, etc.), wooden 3D puzzles, an engraving machine, a Cricut machine, paint by number pictures, supplies to go with all the crafts, vinyl, paint, wooden squares, paintbrushes, trays, tools, jigsaw puzzles, board games, card games, an iPad rolling floor stand cart, five gooseneck floor stands for iPads, baseballs, mitts, tennis rackets and balls, basketballs, laser tag games, and disc golf. One of the staff members shared, “We are truly dumbfounded that you all gave us (therapists) so many things we can do with, and for, our veterans. We will undoubtedly have wonderful treatment interventions in the future because of your work and generosity.” The lodge purchased these items using funds raised at their November record-breaking fundraising event, which raised just over $22,000 for veterans’ causes.

Pictured in the back left are members Chuck Wolfe, Rob Swann, and Steve Masterton, PER who made the delivery. Geoff Hopkins is pictured in the front right along with some of his staff members.

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Written by Paul Diaz

On Jan. 29, the Southeast Central District hosted a fundraiser for the Army of Hope at Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774. The Army of Hope is a charity of the Florida Elks and assists veterans and their family members financially or otherwise. The event was attended by 85 members and guests from the district lodges and included a performance by Re-Creation. After the show, the members and guests talked with the cast and posed for pictures. Everyone in the audience was impressed by this group of young entertainers and how much they care about veterans. The event raised more than $2,000.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge #2787 attended the annual Veterans Day remembrance ceremony at the Navarre Black Hawk Memorial Park in Navarre, Florida. Other attendees included Navarre High School Navy Jr. ROTC cadets presenting flags along with the support of Holley-Navarre Elks, Santa Rosa County Commissioners, Boy Scouts, American Legions, area businesses and local churches. The ceremony opened with a prayer, a poem reading and historical readings to remember those we have lost and to show support for those veterans still with us. Wreaths were also presented by several organizations, including the lodge.

Pictured are Jim White, Michael Blackwood, Steve Torres, Kris Kane, Donnie Eubanks, Ray Yantch, Don Cero and Ernest DalleMolle.