South District

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

On Nov. 17, Florida Keys Lodge presented a $2,500 check to Coral Shores High School using funds from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The donation is for the student food pantry program. Like other communities throughout the country, this community continues to be affected by the COVID pandemic and other long-term health issues from having the virus. Some parents work two jobs or receive small unemployment benefits, which often do not cover the rising cost of groceries to feed their families. Some businesses have closed and parents lost their jobs and do not qualify for benefits. The donation will allow school project volunteers to purchase nonperishable food items in bulk for their students in need. The pantry is open to all high school students. Students may come by the pantry before morning classes to get protein breakfast bars, fruit cups or juice. Many students also stop in at lunchtime. Teachers are volunteering their time to assist as needed. The main purpose of the student food pantry is directed at students whose families are facing food insecurity. These students sometimes take care of their younger siblings while their parents are working two jobs and face barriers to grocery shopping. This program allows students to take home a backpack with enough food for weekend meals. Kids sign up to receive a backpack through the administration office and pick it up on Friday afternoons. Students return backpacks on Monday and have the option of signing up for the following week. Currently there are more than 25 children signed up to receive these meals. There are several dozen more students who drop in before class or lunchtime. Volunteers also supply students with easy-to-prepare nutritional recipes and words of encouragement in each bag.

Pictured are Brenda Cockrell, PER, lodge grant coordinator, and Laura Lietaert, Coral Shores High School principal.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

Ray Lozano, CEO of Prevention Plus, spoke to nearly 1,800 students in sixth through 12th grades along with parents, adults, teachers, administration members and Florida Keys Elks Lodge members. Lozano brought his knowledge and humor to the stage and educated the audience on the dangers of vaping, marijuana, THC, and addiction and the impact they have on our bodies and minds during this three-day event. Since 1986, Ray Lozano has educated and entertained thousands of students in hundreds of middle schools and high schools from Alaska to Florida as well as the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. These presentations were made possible by State Drug Awareness Chair, Denny Tarbell, PDD, Florida Keys Lodge member.

Pictured are Ray Lozano; Denny Tarbell, PDD; Helen Garcia, Key West Lodge Secretary; and Richard Judge, Key West lodge trustee.

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Written by Miami Elks

Shalotte Mills, school administrator at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy in Homestead, Florida, requested assistance from Miami Lodge. The school is located next to a homeless shelter and migrant camp, and the school has many students who cannot afford basic necessities. On Dec. 8, the lodge provided toiletries, uniforms and sneakers using funds from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.

Pictured are Bill Bang, PER Exalted Ruler; Jennene Ricard, lodge member; and Shalotte Mills, school administrator.

While in Homestead, Miami Lodge assisted Candice Myles, community relationship manager for the Chapman Partnership, by donating toiletries, uniforms, sneakers, socks and underwear using the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.

Pictured are Sharon Weiss, lodge member; Gilbert Serein of Chapman Partnership; and Bill Bang, PER, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Miami Elks

On Nov. 15, Miami Lodge assisted The Village (FREE)DGE in Miami, an organization started by Sherina Jones South, a Florida business owner. She set up community refrigerators outside of local businesses that are accessible 24/7 and filled with fresh foods for those in need. The organization’s motto is "Take What You Need, Leave Something for Others.” The lodge held a Thanksgiving food drive in the lounge with live music and collected food to stock the (FREE)DGEs.

Pictured are Bill Bang, PER, Exalted Ruler; Sharon Weiss, lodge member; and the staff of The Village (FREE)DGE.

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Written by Key West Elks

On Dec. 15, Key West Elks Lodge #551 presented a $10,000 check to the Autism Society of the Keys using its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants as well as the Florida State Elks Association matching Beacon Grant. All the money stays local to help children with autism.

Pictured are Donald Curry, Exalted Ruler; Sean T. Brandenburg, police chief; Secretary, Helen Garcia; Officer, Matt Haley; Volunteer Coordinator, Hope Haley; Jill Campbell, executive director of the Autism Society, and her son, Craig Campbell; and Dennis Wardlow, Leading Knight.