South Southwest District

Details

Written by Linda Killian

The Deep Creek Ladies of Elks sponsored an Angel Tree for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County, Florida. There were 195 tags on the tree with children's names and the gifts they wished for written on them. All gifts were purchased by members and guests and returned to the lodge. On Dec. 8, both organizations came to the lodge and picked up the gifts to take back for their children for distribution. The L.O.E. also collected nonperishable food, which they delivered to St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.

Pictured are the gifts at the lodge.

Details

Written by Diane Hendrick

On Nov. 24, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 donated $2,300 to the Salvation Army for their annual Angel Tree project. The lodge used $2,000 from its charity account and $300 was donated by the family of Gail Mascari. The Angel Tree project helps provide Christmas gifts for thousands of children from families in need in southwest Florida each year.

Pictured are Roger Spencer, PER, Exalted Ruler, and David Lake, PSP presenting the check to Major Carlye Gargis (center), area commander for the Salvation Army.

Details

Written by Greater Pine Island Elks

On Aug. 15, Greater Pine Island Lodge donated $1,000 to F.I.S.H. (Fellow Islanders Sending Help) for its 22nd annual children’s clothing drive to provide school clothes and gym shoes for students whose parents anticipate having difficulty in providing new items for the 2022-2023 school year. F.I.S.H. is a group of local volunteers who help those in their community. The lodge also presented a $200 check to the Matlacha Hookers’ back-to-school supply drive, and members donated supplies as well. The Matlacha Hookers are a group of women whose motto is “Making a Positive Difference in our Community.”

Pictured are Jack Rovaldi, PER; Guy Vaughn, F.I.S.H. president; Karen Durand of Matlacha Hookers; Michael Stinson, Leading Knight; and Eddie Pfister, trustee.

Details

Written by Teresa Bird

On Sept. 17, Punta Gorda Lodge hosted a fundraiser for suicide prevention in cooperation with the local Biker For Life organization. The proceeds of $2,500 were split evenly between Mission 22, which supports veterans, and the Society for the Suicide Prevention of Teen Suicide. The event was open to the public and included a lodge membership drive and vendors. Food was prepared by the lodge’s Chef Gary, and the American Made Band entertained the crowd. The lodge is grateful to the generous anonymous donors and to the event sponsor, Aladdin Air.

Pictured are William Oquendo, owner of Biker For Life and event organizer; Tom Shoecraft, Exalted Ruler; Virginia Oquendo, event coordinator; Walter LaCombe, PER Association president; and Michelle Staples, lodge member and lodge general manager.

Details

Written by Diane Hendrick

On Sept. 13, the Fort Myers Elks Lodge members and Ladies of Elks members made presentations to the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida. The Elks presented the organization a $2,000 check from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and a bag of 100 heart pillows from Florida Elks Charities. Fort Myers Ladies of Elks presented a diapers and baby wipes that were collected from members and guests at the lodge during August. In addition, four handmade baby blankets were made and donated by Gail Mascari.

Pictured are Bob Weinberg, lodge board chair; Michelle Leonard, executive assistant to the CEO; and David Lake, PSP.

Also pictured are Dianne Conley, event chair; Michelle Leonard; and Connie Laubenthal, Fort Myers Ladies of Elks President.