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Our Military & Veterans
West Citrus Lodge Provides Mattresses and Supplies to Veterans' Shelter
- Details
- Written by Joanne Hepner
On May 25 using $1,200 from the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant, the Veterans Committee of West Citrus Elks Lodge #2693 purchased some mattresses, bedding, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items for Mission in Citrus Inc., a shelter for veterans who are homeless. Pictured with three residents are Jim Sleighter, manager of the Mission; and Frank and Carol Hayes, members of the Veterans Committee.
Seminole Lodge and West Central District Supports Veterans Nonprofit Started by Fourth Grader
- Details
- Written by Chris Hayes
On June 8 at the West Central District Vice President visitation, Graci Tubbs, seventh-grader and founder of Operation Military Matters (OMM) was the guest speaker. According to the website www.operationmilitarymatters.com, what started as a class project by Graci when she was in fourth grade is now a nonprofit organization. After she heard veterans speak at a Veterans Day assembly at school, she started collecting items to send to military members overseas to show her support. During the Elks event, Seminole Elks Lodge #2519 donated $500 to OMM. Then a bucket was passed around and those in attendance contributed an additional $634.
Pictured at the West Central District Vice President visitation are Roy and Linda Broff, Veterans chairman, with Graci Tubbs, founder of Operation Military Matters.
Zephyrhills Lodge Donates Clothing for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
Residents from The Highlands at Scotland Yard in Dade City, Fla., donated clothing for veterans in need at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Fla., May 15. At the hospital, members of the volunteer services handle the distribution of the clothes. Pictured at the donation presentation at The Highlands are Jim Sullivan, Zephyrhills Lodge member; Scott Brown, manager of The Highlands; and Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Services lodge chairman.
Aripeka Lodge Holds Car Show to Benefit Veterans Program
- Details
- Written by Aripeka Elks
On May 18, members of Aripeka Elks Lodge #2520 held a car show at the lodge with 65 show cars. The event was open to the public; over 100 people attended. More than $1,000 was raised to support the Parade of Heroes, a program in which the Florida State Elks Association participates that allows veterans to visit Washington, D.C., for three days where they are honored for their military service in defense of this country.
Zephyrhills Lodge Provides Veteran with Items for New Home
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- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On May 15, Zephyrhills Lodge helped furnish the home of veteran John Reese (second from left) who has moved out on his own. When a veteran leaves the domiciliary, they are only provided with a place to live, so the lodge has taken on the task of collecting donations of home furnishings to help the veterans in their transition. Members Dave Crotty, PER Ken Fabiani and Tom Pete are pictured delivered the furnishings.
Holley-Navarre Elks Participate in VFW Memorial Day Ceremony
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- Written by Melissa Maxey
On May 27, members of Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge #2787 participated in the annual VFW Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the Navarre VFW at Navarre Park in Navarre, Fla. Over 100 members of the public attended this annual ceremony. Every year, the lodge participates in the flag ceremony along with local Boy Scouts, Krewes and other charitable organizations. Lodge members held full-size flags during the prayer and during the honoring of our fallen heroes. Along with wreaths from the other organizations, Holley-Navarre Lodge placed a wreath at the base of the town's flag in Navarre Park.
Veterans and their Helpers Enjoy Lunch at Englewood Lodge
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- Written by Estelle Dichazi
On May 17, Englewood Elks Lodge #2378 hosted a luncheon for community veterans from area nursing facilities including Gran Villa in Englewood, Fla.; Englewood Healthcare and Rehab; Heritage Oaks in Englewood, Fla.; Springs of South Biscayne in North Port, Fla; and Brookdale Rotonda Senior Living in Rotonda West, Fla. A total of 101 veterans and their helpers attended. The meal concluded with a veterans-themed sheet cake.
Zephyrhills Elks Donate Clothing to James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital
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- Written by Ken Fabiani
Zephyrhills Lodge members donated clothing to James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Fla. Pictured at the delivery are Ken Fabiani, PER; Tammi Clarke, Chief of Voluntary Services; and Steve Czerneski, member.
Veteran Receives Furnishings for New Home from Zephyrhills Elks
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- Written by Ken Fabiani
On May 3, members of Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 donated and delivered necessities for a veteran’s new home including pots and pans, dishes, personal hygiene items, towels, sheets, lamps, a television and a television stand, a bedroom set, a recliner, and a microwave. A member also donated $100 to help him with food purchases. Pictured are Tom Pete, lodge volunteer; Joe Rowbashaw, veteran; and Ken Fabiani, PER.
Delray Beach Lodge Veterans Committee Welcomes Honor Flight Veterans Home
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- Written by Patti Lydon
On May 11, 58 Vietnam veterans, 16 Korean War veterans and seven World War II veterans were welcomed home from an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., which is sponsored by the nonprofit organization Southeast Florida Honor Flight based in Stuart, Fla. These flights are four times a year and the Delray Beach Elks Lodge Veterans Committee (Chairman, Laurie Rogers, and members Phyllis Baxter, Bonnie Permenter and Patti Lydon) goes to Palm Beach International Airport to welcome home these veterans.
Zephyrhills Lodge Donates to Veterans' Hospital for Recreation Therapy
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- Written by Ken Fabiani
Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 presented a donation of $225 to the Chief of Recreation Therapy at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Fla. Pictured are Ron Ellison, lodge member; Geoff Hopkins, Chief of Recreation Service; and Ken Fabiani, PER.
St. Petersburg Lodge Presents Donation to PRRC
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- Written by May Graci
St. Petersburg Lodge member Ed White recently chaired an event that raised $1,060 for veterans. The lodge presented $500 to the C.W. Bill Young VAMC’s Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) unit. The lodge will use $100 to purchase hats for veterans and the remaining $460 will be used to purchase and distribute canteen books for visiting veterans used at the BX or canteen at Bay Pines. The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was created in 1946 to provide articles of merchandise and services at reasonable prices to veterans enrolled in the VA health-care system, caregivers and visitors.
Pictured at the St. Petersburg Lodge presentation of $500 to the C.W. Bill Young VAMC’s Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) unit are Jessica D’Allesio, PRRC recreation therapist; Ed White, lodge event chairman; Johnny Miller, Deputy Representative to C.W. Bill Young VAMC; and Chrissy Agenor, PRRC program manager.