Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Frank Sellers Jr.

On Nov. 19, Delray Beach Lodge Veterans chairman, Doug England, presented 100 Walmart gift cards at the PER Association meeting for the female veterans of Broward County. This donation totaled $1,000. On Nov. 20, these gift cards were presented to Michelle Zielenski of the VA women’s unit located at the Bill Kling Clinic.

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Written by Oakland Park Elks

Oakland Park and Pompano Beach lodges held a joint Veterans Day brunch for veterans free of charge followed by a veterans memorial service honoring all who served in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Air Force and POWs.

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Written by Lodges #1676 & #948

On Nov. 11, Miami Elks Lodge #948 and South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 hosted a Veterans Day community picnic to raise funds for area veterans and the Florida State Elks Association Army of Hope. More than 100 guests attended. Volunteers from both lodges planned, prepared, recruited entertainers, and cooked and served hamburgers and hot dogs, macaroni salad, cole slaw, chips, and soft drinks. Other members collected donations, made presentations and provided demonstrations. A  missing-man table was on display. Boy Scout Troop 362 acted as honor guard. Attendees were entertained with tai chi and yoga lessons, line dancing lessons, a fencing demonstration, magic shows and continuous music. They also learned how to apply a tourniquet and basic CPR courtesy of Florida International University under the direction of Dr. Jefry Biehler. The Coast Guard Auxiliary was also on hand as well as Century 21 representative Mariela Pritikin who talked about their veterans’ and first responders’ mortgage incentive program. There was also a soccer crossbar challenge and a frisbee toss contest courtesy of Bird Road Subaru. The South Florida Jewelry Guild provided demonstrations on various jewelry-making techniques. The event raised more than $2,000 for veterans programs.

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Written by Gene Rittenhouse

On Dec. 11, Green Cove Springs Lodge held a Christmas luncheon for veterans. The luncheon began with a short program which included a special presentation on how K9s for Warriors matches service dogs with veterans who need one. Then the K9s for Warriors volunteer coordinator, Elizabeth Reeger, was presented with a check for $2,000 which was made possible by an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The presentation was followed by a roasted turkey lunch with sides and homemade desserts. Member Jean Maddox coordinated the meal and started cooking turkeys at 3:45 a.m. Her 15 volunteers served 91 people including 64 veterans. Member Dorothy Wood coordinated the dozens of homemade desserts for the event.

K9s for Warriors volunteer coordinator, Elizabeth Reeger, receives $2,000 Green Cove Springs Lodge presented by Veterans Representative, PER Richard Kunze, and grant coordinator, PER Gene Rittenhouse.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 raised $6,000 throughout the year which came from fundraisers including their Christmas-in-July dock party. The lodge’s PER charity bingo donated $1,000, making the lodge the largest donor in Florida.

Wreaths Across America representatives A.J. and Mike Smith accept a $7,000 donation from Green Cove Springs Lodge presented by Exalted Ruler, Lucie Barnette; Amien Joseph, PER; and Rick Kunze, PER, VAVS representative.

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Written by Kathy Traina

The West Central District Army of Hope fundraiser which included a Chinese auction and games was held at Largo Lodge Oct. 21. The Army of Hope’s mission is to provide assistance to the families of deceased, disabled and deployed members of the military. Volunteers and scouts turned out in droves and eight district lodges participated. Among the attendees were Frank Palladini, PSP; Carl Seibert, COO/State Secretary; Theresa Matthews, DDGER; Anthony Fratello, DVP; and Ron Locke, Army of Hope State Chairman.