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Our Military & Veterans
Tampa Lodge Sends Two Veterans on Freedom Flight
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
Tampa Lodge sent two veterans on the Freedom Flight to Washington, D.C. Lodge member and World War ll veteran Manny Manaldo is welcomed home by Dolly Masi of St. Petersburg Lodge while Tampa Lodge’s Vietnam veteran Bob Orcutt is welcomed home by his wife, Betty, Lodge Chaplain.
Food for Veterans Inc. Receives Support from Holley-Navarre Lodge
- Details
- Written by Holley-Navarre Elks
On Oct. 18, Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge #2787 donated $600 to Food for Veterans Inc., a 501(c)3 Florida nonprofit organization operating on donations to provide food and essentials to honorably discharged veterans and active-duty military members in need of assistance. This donation was from proceeds from the lodge’s weekly bingo which is open to the public and is the primary source of funds for lodge charitable works in the community. Kate Mayor, Food for Veterans Inc. founder and CEO, said, “Donations such as this one help us provide food and essentials to a local veteran during our monthly open pantry days. Food for Veterans is open the third Friday and Saturday of each month. As we approach that last week of the month, many low-income veterans struggle between purchasing necessities such as medications or putting gas in their car and feeding themselves. Your donation will be used to purchase enough food to help him/her survive until the first when other possible organizational help is provided.”
Kate Mayor, Food for Veterans founder and CEO, accepts a donation from Holley-Navarre Lodge presented by Ben Gray, three-year trustee; Wendy Cocanour, bingo chairperson; and Kris Kane, Exalted Ruler.
Sebring Lodge Hosts Christmas Luncheon for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason
On Dec. 19, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 hosted a Christmas luncheon for 45 veterans and their spouses at the lodge with Santa, Mrs. Claus and one of their elves. The veterans came from four local assisted-living facilities in Sebring: Crown Point, Fairway Pines, The Palms and Sunny Hills. Each person attending received a gift from Santa which was donated by the 40 & 8 veterans organization.
Miami Lodge Veteran Receives Recognition at Army of Hope Picnic
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- Written by South Miami/Coral Gables & Miami lodges
During the Army of Hope picnic hosted by Miami and South Miami/Coral Gables lodges, a certificate of appreciation was presented to Miami Lodge member Egbert Dawkins, left, by Reginald Hernandez, South Miami/Coral Gables Lodge Exalted Ruler. Dawkins is a decorated veteran who made a large donation for the picnic.
Veteran Receives Welcome-Home Kit from Tampa Elks
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
Tampa Elks Lodge #708 provided a welcome-home kit for formerly homeless veteran Mike Sexton who signed a lease on a trailer after spending a year in James Haley Veterans Hospital and six months at the domiciliary following a traumatic brain injury.
Punta Gorda Elks & Ladies Support Veterans Parade
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- Written by Joann Sutton
Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 was instrumental in supporting the Punta Gorda veterans parade held Nov. 3 with the lodge’s Elkettes winning second place for their float which emphasized drug awareness.
Exalted Ruler Walter LaCombe presents a plaque to Korean War veteran George Hart Jr. as his son, George Hart III, drives the car.
Pompano Beach Lodge Members Prepare Kits for Female Veterans
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- Written by Frank Sellers Jr.
PER Charlotte Burrie (pictured), PER Marilyn Kronenberg and member Jennie Howitt of Pompano Beach Elks Lodge #1898 prepared over 40 personal bags and hygiene kits for female veterans at the VA clinic in Broward County.
Delray Beach Lodge makes Donation to Female Veterans at VA Clinic
- Details
- 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.
Oakland Park and Pompano Beach Lodges hold Veterans Day Program
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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.
Two South District Lodges Host Army of Hope Fundraiser
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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.
Lodge #1892 Hosts Veterans Luncheon and Donates to K9s for Warriors
- Details
- 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.
Green Cove Springs Lodge is Largest Florida Donor to Wreaths Across America
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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.