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P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Ardie R. Copas Veterans' Nursing Home Receives Snacks for Patients from Fort Pierce Elks
- Details
- Written by Ginny Young
On May 18, Fort Pierce Lodge members donated snacks for the cart at Ardie R. Copas Veterans’ Nursing Home, which serves to entice patients out of their rooms.
Pictured are Beverly and Rodney Dally, PER, Lodge Veterans Chairs, and Sherika Akers, therapy aid supervisor/activities director.
Fort Pierce Elks Donate Items for Veterans without Homes
- Details
- Written by Ginny Young
Fort Pierce Lodge made its monthly donation to the West Palm Beach Veterans Volunteer Services May 18 of requested items for veterans who are homeless.
Pictured are Rodney Dally, PER, Veterans Services Chair, and Michelle Jackson, voluntary services specialist.
Lake City Elk-Mates Raise Funds for Army of Hope
- Details
- Written by Lake City Elks
On May 5, Lake City Lodge’s ladies auxiliary, the Elk-Mates, hosted an Army of Hope fundraiser with more than 75 lodge and community members in attendance. More than $200 was raised for the Army of Hope.
Pictured are Chris Samson, Exalted Ruler, and Brandy Meeks, Elk-Mates Treasurer.
West Palm Beach Elk Riders Place Flags at Veterans' Graves
- Details
- Written by West Palm Beach Elks
On May 28, the West Palm Beach Elk Riders rode their motorcycles to the South Florida National Cemetery and placed flags at all the veterans’ gravesites.
Perry Elks Host Fundraiser for Combat Marine Outdoor
- Details
- Written by Perry Elks
On April 1, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 held a fundraising dinner for the local chapter of Combat Marine Outdoor, an organization that provides hunting, fishing and other outdoor adventures for active-duty combat and combat-injured warriors and veterans. Pictured are Melvin Suggs; Patricia “Pat” Ferguson; Beth Benton; Darnell McLeod, Lady Elks member; and Fonda Neel, Esquire.
Brooksville Elks Lodge Donates Grant to K9 Partners for Patriots
- Details
- Written by Sherry Mackeil
On May 31, Brooksville Elks Lodge donated $1,000 from its Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to K9 Partners for Patriots. This organization's mission is to prevent veteran suicide and save homeless dogs by partnering the dogs to be trained as veterans’ service dogs. Hope, healing and perseverance are the founding values of the organization. Pictured are Dana Cutlip, lodge grants coordinator; Mike Hughson, Lecturing Knight; Nora Hughson, trustee; Sherry Mackeil, Treasurer; Jane Hussey, Inner Guard; Carr Hussey, Exalted Ruler; and Gregg Laskoski and Mary Peter from K9 Partners for Patriots.
Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge Treat Veterans and Guests to Day of Fishing
- Details
- Written by Green Cove Springs Elks
On May 6, 18 members and volunteers of Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 used a portion of the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to host a fishing day for veterans from Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home. Twelve veterans, 22 family members and four staff members enjoyed a day fishing from the dock, enjoying the view and having a delicious lunch. The event was coordinated by Rick Kunze, PER.
Pictured are some of the volunteers.
Veterans Receive Air Fryers from Sanford Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Donald Soderblom
On June 26, Sanford Lodge donated five air fryers at a total cost of $500 to Lake Baldwin VA HUD-VASH. The air fryers will be given to veterans who are living in transitional housing prior to permanent housing. This will allow them to have a means of cooking when moved to permanent housing.
Pictured are David Madeux, voluntary service specialist at the VA, and Donald Soderblom, Lodge Veterans Services Chair.
Live Oak Elks Donate Funds to Domiciliary for Veterans' Outings
- Details
- Written by Live Oak Elks
Several members of Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 made a visit to the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. State Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City, Florida. They delivered a $1,000 donation from the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant and also visited with several of the residents who live at the domiciliary. The funds will be used for a social outing day trip for the residents, who have requested to go to the antique car museum. Ed DaSilva, director, said the last trip there was seven years ago and the residents loved it. The veterans were grateful to have the funding to now go again! According to their estimate, they will have enough money left to take a local day trip to Cinema 90 for a second outing.
Pictured are Andy Hillhouse, Exalted Ruler; Bobby Cason, member; Lori Watson, grants coordinator; Ed DaSilva, domiciliary director; two veterans; Donald Watson, PDD; Jamie Pardee, Esquire; and another veteran.
Tallahassee Elks Provide Funds for Meals at Veterans Stand Down
- Details
- Written by Tom Walden, PDD
Using an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, Tallahassee Elks Lodge #937 helped fund the cost of breakfast and lunch for a Veterans Stand Down May 20.
Pictured in purple and red shirts are lodge members John Bozeman, Lee Fish, Darlene Dunwoody and Tom Walden. Others pictured are the catering group.
Fort Myers Elks Lodge Donates Four Grants to Hearts and Homes for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Diane Hendrick
On June 20, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 awarded $11,500 to Hearts & Homes for Veterans, Inc. The donation came from the Elks National Foundation $1,000 Freedom Grant, $2,500 Gratitude Grant and $4,000 Beacon Grant and the $4,000 matching Beacon Grant from the Florida State Elks Association. The mission of Hearts and Homes is to end homelessness and assist low-income veterans in Southwest Florida.
Pictured at the check presentation are Roger Spencer, PER; Bob Weinberg, Leading Knight; Tom Donoghue, Hearts & Homes president; John Beckett, Exalted Ruler; and David Santini, Hearts & Homes vice president.
Sebastian Elks Lodge and Ladies Auxiliary Members Participate in Memorial Day Tribute
- Details
- Written by Pauline Talbott
On May 29, a Memorial Day tribute was held at Riverview Park in Sebastian, Florida, hosted by VFW Post 10210. Members of Sebastian Elks Lodge and the Ladies auxiliary (EL-DOEs) placed wreaths, which were made by member Carol Vitale, in memory of those who lost their lives. At least 12 lodge members attended. Following the ceremony the members returned to the lodge for a special Memorial Day remembrance and indoor picnic.
Pictured are Mary Ducharme, Ladies Treasurer; Dan Talbott, Exalted Ruler; and Michael Schodlbauer PDD, Lodge Veterans Chair.