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Our Military & Veterans
Winter Park Elks Shop for Veterans' Wish List Items
- Details
- Written by Winter Park Elks
Ron Goluba, PER, Elks Representative to Orlando VA Medical Center, and lodge member Sue Jovi are pictured Jan. 24 and Feb. 1 helping to fill the wish lists for the veterans in need living at the Lake Nona and Lake Baldwin veterans’ facilities. They went on three shopping trips and selected more than $2,700 worth of specific sizes of new shirts, pants, shorts, shoes, belts, socks, personally requested items and hygiene items for the veterans. The lodge provided the funds for these items.
Hollywood West Elks Lodge Honors Memory of Deceased World War II Veteran
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- Written by Hollywood West Elks
On Feb. 21, Hollywood West Elks Lodge member and Hollywood City Commissioner, Kevin Biederman, and Hollywood Mayor, Josh Levy, attended the lodge’s ceremony honoring Merchant Marine Seaman Forrest Reed King, Hollywood’s first known resident killed in action in World War II 80 years ago when his ship was hit by torpedoes 125 miles off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. Sal Grilli, PER, a member of the Lodge Veterans Committee, began the ceremony with a moment of silence at 1341 hours (1:41pm) to memorialize MMS King’s death estimated to have occurred at 1342 hours (1:42pm) Feb. 21, 1942. Grilli gave an account of the life and military service of MMS King.
West St. Lucie Elks Provide Supplies to St. Lucie County Veteran Services
- Details
- Written by Joyce Nicastro
West St. Lucie Elks Lodge #2823 used its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant along with other donations to purchase 10 tents with mattresses and pillows, 10 jackets, 10 backpacks, 10 blankets and 10 lanterns as well as 259 pairs of socks, toiletries and nonperishable snacks for St. Lucie County Veteran Services. This department helps veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness. They also assist veterans with obtaining living quarters.
Lodge members pictured Jan. 17 are Linda Geraghty, Linda Kohler, Elizabeth Quinn, Danny Bogan, Vanessa Murtaugh, Pat Ware, Joyce Nicastro and Rose Taynor.
Hearts and Homes for Veterans Receive Donation from Fort Myers Ladies of Elks
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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.
Southeast District Elks Lodge Members Participate in National Salute Week at VAMC
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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.
Rotonda Elks Participate in District Army of Hope Picnic
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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.
Lakeland Elks Lodge Surprises Veterans' Hospital with All its Wish List Items
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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.
Southeast Central District Army of Hope Fundraiser Held at Vero Beach Elks Lodge
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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.
Holley-Navarre Elks Take Part in Veterans Remembrance Ceremony
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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.
Sanford Elks Lodge Sponsors Veterans at Orlando Magic's Seats for Soldiers Night
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- Written by Cristin Rumler
On Nov. 13, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 sponsored 52 seats at a total of $500 for veterans and their families at the Seats for Soldiers Night presented by Orlando Magic, Mission Zero Actual and L3Harris at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Seats for Soldiers honors and hosts military members and their families at an Orlando Magic game and features several activities and entertainment. Prior to the game, fallen soldiers are honored by the team holding their jerseys with each soldier’s name listed on the back.
Pictured are the jerseys, each signed by the team players.
Bay Pines VA Chemotherapy Patients Receive Digital Thermometers from St. Petersburg Elks
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- Written by Johnny Miller
On Jan. 25, St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 donated 400 digital oral thermometers to the chemotherapy unit at the Bay Pines VA Hospital. Each chemotherapy patient takes one home and can check their temperature at home, making sure they do not have a fever. This saves them a trip if they do, because they cannot get the treatment needed at that time. The value of the thermometers is $400.
Pictured are some of the thermometers.
Orlando Elks Lodge Supports Soldiers' Angels
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- Written by Mike McClay, PER
Orlando Elks Lodge #1079 shared its $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant with Soldiers’ Angels (SA) in the Orlando area. Soldiers’ Angels is a national organization that assists service members and veterans and their families. The lodge earmarked $2,500 for food, which will cover about 75 pounds of food for 230 veterans’ families in January. The additional $1,000 will be used to purchase housing packs for veterans who are homeless.
Pictured Dec. 19 at the lodge for the check presentation are Christina Atkinson, SA volunteer and lodge treasurer; Denise Johns, lodge member, SA volunteer and administers the bingo program; Carol Adams, lodge member, lodge chef and SA female volunteer of the year; Judy Erickson, SA Orlando chair; and Past Exalted Rulers Mike McClay and Tony Schiappa.