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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Veterans in Transition Attend Dinner at Tampa Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith, PER
On July 12, the Tampa Lodge Veterans Services Committee hosted nine veterans from New Beginnings of Tampa for a prime rib dinner, complete with stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer and peach cobbler for dessert. One of the volunteer servers was Elks National Foundation Legacy Scholarship recipient Morgan McDaniel. The funds for the meal came from fundraising by the committee and donations from Elks. New Beginnings is a rehabilitation center currently housing 57 transitional veterans. Approximately 30% will likely return to the workforce and the rest will retire or be declared disabled. The goal is for all of them to transition to permanent housing. Many veterans arrive at New Beginnings with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They accept donations of new or gently used men’s clothing.
The veterans are pictured at the dinner table. Also pictured are veteran Michael Little and Morgan McDaniel.
Seminole Elks Lodge Supports Valor Preserve at Lake Seminole
- Details
- Written by Joy Kauffman
On July 9, Seminole Elks Lodge #2519 donated $1,000 to David Creighton from Valor Preserve at Lake Seminole and Neil Brickfield, Executive Director of the Pinellas Housing Authority. Valor Preserve is a new affordable Pinellas County housing development for veterans who have been honorably discharged as well as elderly, disabled or homeless Pinellas County residents.
Pictured are David Creighton; David Haggadone, Exalted Ruler ; and Neil Brickfield.
Naples Elks Lodge Donates $3,300 to Warrior Homes of Collier County
- Details
- Written by Naples Elks
On June 5, Naples Lodge delivered 33 $100 gift cards to Warrior Homes of Collier County, using the $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and $2,300 from the lodge charity fund.
Pictured are Greg Tinsley, WHCC; Barbara Salkow, WHCC Board of Directors; Brian Kamp, Lodge Grants Coordinator; Arlene Hansen, Lodge Secretary; and Kim Lebetz, Lodge Treasurer.
Manasota Elks Participate in Memorial Day Service
- Details
- Written by Manasota Elks
Manasota Elks Lodge’s Jim Klocke, PER, Chair of the Manatee County Veterans Council, led the annual Memorial Day service in Bradenton May 27. The annual service is held at Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park. There were 225 attendees, including JROTC from Lakewood and Parrish High Schools; Gene Brown, Bradenton mayor; Shirley Groover-Bryant, Palmetto mayor; Colonel Gill Ruderman; and 11 Elks from local lodges. Jack Cantwell, PDD of Bradenton Lodge led the singing of the national anthem and “God Bless America.” Klocke and Manasota Lodge volunteers maintain the park throughout the year. They raise and take down 25 flags for holidays and celebrations. They weed and trim; replenish mulch; clean the monuments, memorial benches and pavers; and replace flags as needed.
Pictured are Spike Klocke, Manasota Lodge Grants Coordinator; Jim Klocke, PER; and Jack Cantwell, PDD of Bradenton Lodge.
Green Cove Springs Elks Take Veterans on Fishing and Lunch Trip
- Details
- Written by Tracy Carroll, PER
On May 19, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 hosted veterans from Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home for an afternoon of fishing and lunch. Using funds provided by the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, 24 Elks provided a fun outing for 20 guests, including veterans and their family members and staff members.
Pictured are Richie Inman, Lassen Nursing Home Activities Director; veterans Chris Henry, Robert Dodge, and Broward Strickland; member Julie Carlson; and Rick Kunze, PER, Lodge Veterans Committee Chair. Also pictured are attendees fishing from the dock and a group photo of lodge members and helpers.
Zephyrhills Elks Veterans Committee Donates Coffee to Healing Hearts Cafe
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
The Zephyrhills Lodge Veterans Committee donated 50 cases of coffee to Healing Hearts Cafe in Zephyrhills. The cafe feeds brunch and dinner to veterans experiencing homelessness and others in the community.
Pictured are Lori Kane, manager, and Howard Lundsford, Ken Fabiani’s neighbor.
New Port Richey Elks Honor Local Veterans at Pinning Ceremony
- Details
- Written by Carol Lee Spages
On June 12, New Port Richey Lodge members attended a veterans' pinning ceremony, hosted by a local funeral home. They presented 22 veterans with American flag pins, Veteran’s Creed cards, and remembrance cards packaged with a star removed from a retired American flag. There were approximately 10 packets of items left, so they were given to a representative from a long-term care facility to give to the veterans residing there.
Pictured are Thelma Garland, Lecturing Knight; Brian Tilki, U.S. Navy veteran; and Elizabeth Groves, Inner Guard and USAF veteran.
Punta Gorda Elks Raise Funds for Florida Elks Army of Hope
- Details
- Written by Sherry Haferbier
On Memorial Day, May 27, Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 held a picnic for members and guests and raised $1,030 for the Florida Elks Army of Hope, whose mission is to provide essential assistance to Florida military families facing financial and emotional challenges.
Vietnam Brotherhood Company B Assists Fort Myers Elks Lodge for Flag Day
- Details
- Written by Diane Hendrick
Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 conducted the annual Flag Day ritual June 15. The event featured the Vietnam Brotherhood Company B, which is made up of Vietnam veterans. They showcased a historical sequence of American flags, ranging from the Pine Tree flag to the present 50-star flag and the POW flag. After the ceremony, the lodge made a contribution of $500 to the brotherhood's scholarship fund.
Pictured are the Vietnam Brotherhood showcasing the flags and Eric Farmer, Exalted Ruler, presenting the donation to Rick Reeves, Commander of Company B.
Jacksonville Elks Support Northeast Florida Women Veterans
- Details
- Written by Deborah Reedy, PER
On June 6, members of Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 donated approximately $350 worth on nonperishable food, prewrapped utensils and personal supplies to Northeast Florida Women Veterans. In addition to all the services that NEFWV offers women veterans, they also serve approximately 45 to 65 women monthly through their food pantry. The women running this organization are a positive force of energy. NEFWV recognizes that many women veterans transition well and are successful but some women veterans do not handle transition well or have things happen beyond their control and need some help. As stated on the NEFWV website, "Women are the fastest-growing community of military veterans. As veterans, we are subject to the same challenges as our male counterparts: PTSD, MST, high divorce rate, health issues, and even homelessness. The challenges for women, goes beyond that. Often childcare, domestic violence, gender discrimination, and other issues, push our needs beyond the normal transition challenges.” It also says that not until recently have the VA and community agencies focused on the needs of women veterans. The NEFWV works to ensure women veterans do not remain the “Invisible veterans.”
Pictured are Deborah Reedy, PER, Lodge Secretary; Amy Collins, NEFWV case manager and Navy veteran; and Karen Tracy, U.S. Navy, retired, and Lodge Veterans Services Chair.
Also pictured are Amy Collins; Elaine Spencer, case manager and Army veteran; Natalie Marcano-Sidberry, lead case manager and Navy veteran; and Karen Tracy.
Also shown is the food pantry area.
Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Delivers Supplies to James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On May 20, the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee donated $500 worth of personal hygiene items, shoes, sandals and undergarments to James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa.
Ken Fabiani, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair, presented the donations to Angela Reinhart, Volunteer Service Coordinator.
Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Provides Furnishings for Veteran who Lost Home in Hurricane
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
Veteran Craig Rahman and his wife, Olivia, lost their home six months ago when a hurricane took their St. Petersburg home. On June 5, the Zephyrhills Lodge Veterans Committee helped furnish their new home. Craig had a list of items they lost, including a washer and dryer, pots and pans, dishes, kitchen utensils, queen-size bed, lamps, coffee and end tables, dining room set, 72-inch flat screen television, 32-inch television, towels for the kitchen and bathroom, and linens and blankets.
Pictured are Howard Lundsford, Dave Greene, and Olivia and Craig Rahman.