News Features
The Front Page - State Sponsor's Message
- President's Message
- State Secretary's Message
- Development Director's Message
- Florida Ladies of Elks President’s Message
- Children’s Therapy Services Director’s Message
- Youth Camp Director’s Message
- Our Military & Veterans
- _______________
- DISTRICT NEWS
- Central
- East Central
- North
- North Central
- Northeast
- Northwest
- South
- Southeast
- Southeast Central
- South Southeast
- South Southwest
- Southwest
- Southwest Central
- West Central
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
Share Your Story
We'd love to see & share your Lodge & District Events!
Let's promote what our Florida Elks are doing to support your community
Preserve any person, event, or memory with a personalized brick at your Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Florida.
Learn More
Our Military & Veterans
Gainesville Lodge Provides Household Items to Veterans
- Details
- Written by Linda Califf
On Nov. 8, Gainesville Elks Lodge #990, with the use of their Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant, held a shopping day for veterans as an appreciation program. Eighteen veterans who were transitioning from homelessness to independent living were invited to the lodge for a luncheon and a shopping experience. Veterans were given play money to shop for essential items they needed in establishing their residences. Items available were on display with retail prices noted. Elks were on hand to help veterans shop and pay the cashier and to transport veterans and their purchases back to their residences. Items available included toaster ovens, coffee makers, pots and pans, dishes, glassware, kitchen utensils and silverware, vacuums, lamps, rugs, and a wide variety of others items. Each veteran was given a laundry basket filled with towels, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels and other items.
On the porch with his goodies is veteran Peter Tallman.
Inverness Elks Host Veterans to Fishing Trip
- Details
- Written by Mike Orndorff
Using their Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant, Inverness Elks Lodge #2522 hosted 17 American veterans who are disabled, 10 of whom are members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, on a daylong fishing trip. Many stories were told and a lot of friendships were made. Some awards and prizes were handed out and everyone thanked the Elks for hosting the event. One veteran said, "If this is the kind of thing Elks do, then I may become a member.” There were a number of lodge members who performed admirably in the background getting the breakfast, lunch, drinks and prizes in order prior to the event. The lodge also provided fishing shirts to the veterans in large part due to the generosity of some members of the local business community.
Veterans Attend Luncheon at Venice-Nokomis Lodge
- Details
- Written by Andrice Nelson
On Nov. 20, Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge #1854 hosted 45 veterans for lunch using their Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The veterans were invited from local assisted living facility Ashton Gardens. Pictured is 103-year-old veteran Mr. Vogel with his wife. The lodge also delivered $500 in comfort pack items Dec. 12 to the VA Medical Center Nursing Home using the same grant.
Southwest District Elks Serve Picnic to Veterans at Bay Pines Medical Center
- Details
- Written by Rose Wujcik
In honor of Veterans Day, the Southwest District held their annual picnic Nov. 10 at Bay Pines Medical Center. A picnic lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue chicken, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, watermelon and chocolate cookies was served to 156 veterans and their families. Jim & Steve Pops to Polkas donated their time to entertain everyone. Once again it was a huge success with all seven lodges of the district represented to honor the veterans.
Veterans Honored at Sarasota South Lodge Appreciation Dinner
- Details
- Written by Rose Wujcik
On Nov. 11, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 held a veterans’ appreciation dinner. There were 82 veterans in attendance with their family and guests, and 149 spaghetti dinners were served. Each veteran received a challenge coin representing the branch of service in which they served. The evening had three guest speakers – retired Army Col Ben Knisley; Army Chief Warrant Officer (CWO3) Todd Slaughter, whose family was assisted through the Army of Hope; and USN 1st Lt. Bernard Friedland, the oldest veteran in the room at 92. Friedland began serving in World War II when he was 17 years old as a USN Seaman 3rd Class crossing the English Channel in an attack transport during the invasion of Europe. He later served in the Korean War and was one of the last standing executive officers of a MASH unit. Twelve years later he put his uniform back on and served in the Vietnam War. He spoke about what the world was like then and what it is like now. His powerful message was that we have to take time to teach children the history of America that is not being taught in schools. He reminded the attendees that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders and that parents, grandparents and great-grandparents need to take the time now to teach them what it took to keep America free. They need to reinforce respect for our country, veterans and the leaders of this nation.
Sarasota South Lodge Exalted Ruler, Richard Bouchard, is pictured with 1st Lt. Bernard Friedland, retired Col. Ben Knisley and CWO3 Todd Slaughter.
Live Oak Lodge Hosts Free Dinner for Active Duty Military Members and Families
- Details
- Written by John Dill, PDD
The seventh annual Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 and Garrison Farms salute to veterans event was held Nov. 11 at the lodge. All veterans and active duty military members and family members were invited to a free meal of smoked chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, bread and a drink. The event fed 230 veterans from all conflicts ranging from World War II to the current War on Terror. Everything was donated for the event, leaving the lodge without any expenses.
Zephyrhills Lodge Assists More Veterans with Home Furnishings
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On Nov. 3, Tom Hudson was in shock when Zephyrhills Elks showed up at his door to help furnish his home. He is the 15th veteran helped by the lodge. Hudson received all he needs to get started in his new place from a coffee pot and coffee to a recliner that he fell asleep in the first night. Lodge members Tom Pete, Dave Crotty and PER Ken Fabiani helped in this endeavor.
On Oct. 25, Raymond McDilda is the 17th veteran whose home has been furnished by Zephyrhills Lodge. He was so surprised with all the furnishings they delivered – love seat, chair, pots and pans, dish set, cups, glasses, silverware, microwave, shower rod and curtains, cooking utensils, end tables, lamps, nightstand, clock, linens, and towels – all but a bed. PER Ken Fabiani told McDilda that as soon as he had a bed for him, they’d deliver it. As Fabiani, Tom Pete and Dave Crotty drove home from Tampa, Fabiani received a call about an available bed. After dropping off Pete and Crotty, he drove to Southport Springs to pick up a bed and frame plus a pillow, sheets and blankets. Soon thereafter, McDilda received his bed with a big smile on his face while thanking the Elks for all they had done.
On Nov. 17, Mike Hanley was wide awake after his time on the bus at 5:30 a.m. to arrive at his new home in Zephyrhills, Fla. He is Zephyrhills Lodge’s 18th veteran to receive furnishings for his new home. Hanley could not believe all the furnishings that Dave Crotty and PER Ken Fabiani delivered: coffee, coffee maker, pots, pans, crock pot, utensils, bowls, dishes, pillow sheets and blankets, personal hygiene items, storage containers, shower rod, shower curtains and hooks, lamps, and end table.
Mike Hanley paid it forward by assisting Tom Pete and Ken Fabiani deliver furnishings to Zephyrhills Lodge’s 19th veteran, Greg Dorset, Nov. 18. Dorset received clothes, kitchen and bath towels, pots, pans, microwave, dining table with two chairs, two bar stools, sheets, blankets, dishes, silverware, lamps, two recliners, and coffee maker and coffee.
Early on Nov. 19, Bob Lewis became the 20th veteran whose home was furnished by Zephyrhills Lodge. Dave Crotty and Mike Hanley made the delivery. Lewis was so surprised when he saw the sofa, chair, dining table and two chairs, pots, pans, dishes, towels, lamps, two end tables, coffee maker, shower curtain and hooks, kitchen utensils, pillows, blankets, shirts, pants, and a kitchen storage container set. He had a smile from ear to ear and was so thankful for what the elks have done for him.
David Clark is the 21st veteran to move into his new home with the support from Zephyrhills Lodge. He received a sofa, recliner, two end tables, two lamps, a full-size bed with sheets and blanket, coffee maker, coffee, microwave, pots, pans, 32’’ flat-screen TV, shower rod, shower hooks, shower curtain, laundry detergent, fabric softener, dining table, two chairs, bath towels, kitchen towels, dishes, silverware, and kitchen utensils. Members Tom Pete, Steve Czerneski and PER Ken Fabiani delivered these gifts.
Brian Cade is the 22nd veteran whose home was furnished with help from Zephyrhills Lodge. These items included a dining table, two chairs, two large recliners, a queen-size bed, end tables, shower rod, shower curtains, shower hooks, pots, pans, plates, silverware, kitchen utensils, bed sheets, pillow, lamps, coffee maker, coffee, and kitchen containers.
Food for Vets Receives Support from Holley-Navarre Lodge
- Details
- Written by Ernest DalleMolle
On Nov. 15, Holley-Navarre Lodge presented a check for $1,200 to Food for Vets whose mission is to provide food and essentials to veterans and military members in need of assistance. The lodge raised the money primarily from their Friday night charity bingo game. Food for Vets recently moved from Navarre, Fla., to Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Food for Vets representative, Samantha Peace, is presented a check for $1,200 from Holley-Navarre Lodge board president, Ben Gray.
Fort Myers Lodge Veterans Participate in Local Veterans Day Parade
- Details
- Written by Diane Hendrick
On Nov. 10, several veterans who are members of Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 rode in the Fort Myers Veterans Day Parade in two cars and a truck that pulled an Elks drug trailer. Pictured are Al Roehr; Dan Birt; Jack Hoagland, PER; Dick Conley, District Deputy; and Kawelo Makaneole, PER.
Palm Coast Lodge Raises Funds for Gary Sinise Foundation
- Details
- Written by Palm Coast Elks
Palm Coast Elks Lodge #2709 held a dinner dance fundraiser Nov. 9 for the Gary Sinise Foundation during the lodge’s weekend open house. A total of 76 lodge members and members of the public attended the event which raised $5,000. The foundation honors defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.
Punta Gorda Lodge Holds Veterans Day Parade
- Details
- Written by Punta Gorda Elks
On Nov. 9, Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 held its annual Veterans Day parade which ran through downtown Punta Gorda, Fla. Several high school bands and many civic organizations were involved. The parade garnered over 1,000 spectators and more than 150 Elks were involved.
Anna Wojtalik, 97, a Navy veteran from a local veterans’ nursing home, acts as grand marshal of Punta Gorda Lodge’s Veterans Day parade.
Elroy the Elk, aka Punta Gorda Lodge office manager, Dawn McIntyre, rides in the Punta Gorda Lodge Veterans Day parade.
Largo Elks Donate Welcome Home Kit to Bay Pines VA
- Details
- Written by Jeanne Reinhart, PDD
On Nov. 4, Largo Elks Lodge members Jeanne Reinhart, PDD and Rudy Fontane delivered the lodge's 30th Welcome Home Kit, a program sponsored by the Elks National Veterans Service, to Nathan Witt, Chief of Voluntary Service at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Elks National Veterans Service will reimburse any lodge up to $300 for the purchase of household items for a veteran moving in to their own home. Usually, these veterans have nothing but the shirts on their backs. Lodge members donate many household items (no furniture) which are also incorporated into the kit. Included in the kit were kitchen utensils, a coffee maker, bed linens, kitchen and bath towels, cleaning supplies, a clock radio, a lamp, light bulbs, batteries, dishes, and much more.