South Southwest District

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Written by Teresa Bird

Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 hosted six blood drives in 2023, in coordination with One Blood from Port Charlotte. There were 23 members who participated throughout the year. In total, 75 pints were donated, equal to saving 225 lives, as each pint of blood saves three lives. Each time a member or guest donated blood, they received a T-shirt provided from One Blood and a $10 gift card. The volunteers donated a total of 201 hours at $29.95, totaling $6,019.95. They traveled 2,611 miles at $0.59 per mile totaling $1,540.49. The combined total for volunteers was $7,560.44. The lodge hosted a free lunch for all volunteers at each blood drive.

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Written by Linda N. Killian

The Deep Creek Ladies of Elks sponsored an angel tree at the lodge. Lodge members purchased holiday gifts for 197 children from Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys & Girls Club. These organizations picked up the gifts Dec. 14.

Pictured are the tree and gifts.

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Written by Peggie Sue McClellan

On Dec. 21, Deep Creek Lodge hosted the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office K-9 division for a demonstration of what they do to protect the community. Peggie Sue McClellan, Exalted Ruler, had met Sgt. David Musgrove after a criminal tried to hide in her yard. Sgt. Musgrove's K-9, Rico, apprehended the criminal. McClellan called Sgt. Musgrove the next day and asked what they needed. He said that during severe tropical weather, most officers go to shelters but K-9 handlers stay with their dogs at home. He said they could use impact crates to protect the dogs if homes are severely damaged. The lodge donated $9,300 to provide nine crates and also provided airtight waterproof food containers for the dogs. Sgt. Musgrove knew about the Elks because in 2019 he was awarded the Enrique Camarena award. He was very proud of it, but it had fallen from a shelf and shattered. McClellan contacted another Elk to help her have his award replaced. When the check was presented to Sgt. Musgrove and his lieutenant for the crates, she then surprised him with a duplicate award. The lodge also gave all the deputies a boxed lunch to go and trustee Ed Wood gave Kongs for the dogs, which he was able to get Petco to donate.

Pictured are the K-9 trainer and handlers; Sgt. David Musgrove with his K-9, Rico; and Sgt. Musgrove and Peggie Sue McClellan, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Linda N. Killian

The Deep Creek Ladies of Elks donated three $3,000 scholarships Dec. 18 with funds generated from the Show Me the Money game, played every Monday. The recipients are all attending Charlotte Technical College in Port Charlotte. To date, the Ladies have given 19 scholarships to this college’s students, nine of which were in this fiscal year, all from this game. The recipients are Josue Cruz, enterprise desktop; Taylor Haddox, dental assistant; and Kridesha Symonette, dental assistant. 

Ladies of Elks pictured with Josue Cruz, recipient, third from left, are Pam Setchell, Vice President; Karen Rohm, past president; Kathleen Flecken, Inner Guard; Karen Moerlein, Secretary; Lucia Cimorelli; Audrey Egalton; Katie Ware; Kerry Russell; and Julie Moyer.

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Written by Naples Elks

On Dec. 7, Naples Elks Lodge #2010 sponsored its annual Christmas party at Manatee Elementary School for second graders. Santa Claus (member Robert Cedar), pictured, delivered sweatshirts, backpacks, coloring books, crayons and games for the students, all provided by the lodge. They also enjoyed a pizza party, with ice cream for dessert. The lodge used its $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to fund the event.

Pictured in the front row are members Sharon Anderson, Julia Hartford, Gerri Massey, Lynn Malpede, Margie Heinzel and Mike Adamski, PER. In the back row are members Brian Kamp; Holly Ludwig, Exalted Ruler; Marilyn Jeffries; Arlene Hansen, Secretary; Rae Frey; and Ron Heldebrandt, PDD.