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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Parrish Elks Host Second Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
- Details
- Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio, PER
On May 26, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 held its second annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Parrish Cemetery. There were 55 attendees, including 25 lodge members, four members of the Parrish Cemetery Association Board of Directors, and 26 family members and friends of Elks, Cemetery Association board members, and veterans buried at the cemetery. Carol Ann Felts, Manatee County District 1 County Commissioner, and her assistant, Selena, were also present. Colonel Richard Tatem, retired Air Force, was again the guest speaker. His 31-minute speech had two themes — "Be your wingman's keeper" and "Stop trying to be right and instead try to be helpful." Afterward, family members of veterans buried at the cemetery received a flag to place at their loved one’s gravesite. This was followed by all other attendees placing flags at the remaining veterans’ gravesites.
Pictured are some of the ceremony attendees.
Tallahassee Elks Support Veterans Stand Down with Donation and Volunteers
- Details
- Written by Tallahassee Elks
Tallahassee Elks Lodge #937 donated its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to the Tallahassee Veterans Outreach group, which organized and hosted the annual Tallahassee Veterans Stand Down on the Florida A&M University campus May 16-17. Veterans who are disadvantaged or homeless are invited to receive free meals and interface with city, county and other government offices that offer free or low-cost services to them. North Florida Legal Services, the Red Cross, the local VA clinic, a barber, a veterinarian and other community entities were on hand to be of assistance.
Elks pictured serving breakfast May 17 are Linda and Lee Fish and Tom Walden, PDD, Secretary.
Lakeland Elks Host Armed Forces Day Fundraiser for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Lakeland Elks
On May 15, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 held a fundraising event for Armed Forces Day. Members prepared lasagna and sausage dinners, raffled 12 baskets and held a 50/50 drawing, all which raised $2,300 for future veterans’ functions.
Pictured are Johnny Francks, member; Steve Masterson, PER; and Vicky Crosby, member.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Supports Jackson's Gifts
- Details
- Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks
During the Kentucky Derby event May 3, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held a fundraiser for Jackson's Gifts, a charitable initiative that rewards a child aging out of the foster care system and entering a branch of the United States armed forces. The $1,563 collected will be awarded to a candidate graduating from boot camp in August.
Crestview Elks Take Part in Memorial Day Ceremony
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On May 26, Crestview Elks Lodge members joined the community for the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial in Memorial Park in Crestview to honor the military personnel who gave their lives in service of this nation. The ceremony featured a moment of silence, brief remarks and the playing of taps in tribute to the fallen.
Pictured are trustee Shirley Johnson and Leading Knight Dave Rodriguez, who placed the wreath on behalf of the lodge. Also representing the lodge were Deb McMullen, Exalted Ruler; Traci Medlock, board president; and Larry Medlock, chaplain.
Port Orange Elks Lodge Raises Funds for Purple Heart Association
- Details
- Written by Frank Kuczkowski
On May 23, Port Orange Elks Lodge #2723 presented a $600 check to the Purple Heart Association. Funds were raised from the sale of basket raffle tickets at Friday bingo.
Pictured are Rolf Mattar, Commander of the Purple Heart Association, and Bette Dealey, bingo chair.
Jacksonville Elks Deliver Welcome Home Kits to Veterans in New Homes
- Details
- Written by Karen Tracy
In mid-March, members of Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 delivered Welcome Home Kits to Navy Hospital Corpsman Crystal and Mess Management Specialist Daphney when they moved into their own apartments from Women Veterans Ignited. Both women are currently working in fields that are very similar to their Navy specialties, and both are in school to further their knowledge. David Graham, Frank Varnado and Brian Pastorini delivered their kits, which included pillows, bedding, blankets, dishes, pots, pans, kitchenware, towels, toiletries, shower liner and rings, toilet paper, paper towels, light bulbs, trash can and bags, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, broom, mop, bucket, sponge, laundry basket, detergent, coffee maker, toaster, and microwave, as well as two new beds. These items totaled $983.43 and the funds came from in-kind donations and funds from the Welcome Home Kits ENVSC program.
Karen Tracy, Veterans Chair, is pictured with Daphney and Crystal.
Holley-Navarre Elks Donate Grant to USO Center
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On April 10, Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge #2787 donated $1,000 from its Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to the United Services Organization (USO) center at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. The center provides free internet services, program information, snacks and drinks to service members and their dependents. The amenities at this location also provide CAC readers, charging stations, computers and laptops, Wi-Fi, multimedia and gaming, TV and cable, an air-conditioned lounge to rest, toiletries, and an information desk.
Pictured are Bill White, PDD, Treasurer; Lori Mann, USO Destin-Fort Walton Beach Center operations specialist; and Tom Stevens, PDD, Exalted Ruler.
St. Augustine Elks Provide Additional Welcome Home Kits to Veterans
- Details
- Written by Cathy Walsh
On March 25, St. Augustine Elks donated two Welcome Home Kits to Veterans Village, bringing their total kits donated to local veterans this year to 16. Pictured are Cathy Walsh, lodge charity chair, and Mary Cooke, Home Again St. Johns Veteran Village coordinator.
Additionally, the lodge partnered with the residents to collect 4,429 pop tabs to donate to Ronald MacDonald House in Jacksonville. Ronald McDonald House recycles them for cash to help provide housing for families in the Jacksonville area while their children undergo treatment at local hospitals.
Palm Coast Elks Lodge Raffle Raises Funds for Veterans' Programs
- Details
- Written by David Valinski
The Palm Coast Elks Lodge #2709 Veterans Committee conducted a gun raffle fundraiser drawing Feb. 9. The fundraiser made a profit of over $4,000 for local programs supporting veterans who are disabled or have PTSD or are experiencing homelessness. The lodge’s veterans information program was also a recipient of funds. Tickets were also sold at local businesses.
Pictured are Exalted Ruler Pete Lehnertz and Veterans Committee members Sean Reardon, David Valinski and Jerry DiMenna (with microphone) as they draw the winning ticket.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Supports Veterans with Guide Dogs with Help from Tommy John
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On March 22, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held a fundraiser for a program for veterans with guide dogs, sponsored by Dogs Inc. Special guest Tommy John, former professional baseball pitcher, donated signed baseballs, caps and other baseball items for the auction. Over $2,500 was raised.
Pictured are Tommy John and Tom Sweeney, Lodge Veterans Chair.
Bradenton Elks Sponsor Veterans' Fishing Trip
- Details
- Written by brad
On March 23, Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 provided a 4-hour offshore fishing trip for 17 veterans, pictured, using $2,500 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The company they use is Florida Fishing Fleet, which has max occupancy of 17 plus two crew members. After the trip, they went to Slicker’s Eatery, where Bob Slicker and staff cooked their fresh catches and served them lunch.