South Southwest District

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Written by Deep Creek Elks

On August 3rd, members of Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 took eight children from the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition shopping. Each child received school clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies. This was accomplished with $1,600 from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Assisting with the shopping were Peggie Sue Dygert, Loyal Knight; Cheri Usowicz, Tiler; Kay Neilley, PDD, treasurer; Carol Aitchison, Lecturing Knight; Officer Lou Henycz, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and lodge member; Bill Flecken, PER, lodge trustee, and his wife, Kathleen; Linda Bass, wife of Truman Bass; and Truman Bass, PDD, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Butch Bass, PDD

Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 donated $2,250 from its charity fund to the Charlotte Warriors football and cheerleading program in Charlotte County, Florida. Of this, $1,500 was given to the Charlotte Warriors Pop Warner football program to help pay for equipment and to help the children who cannot afford to pay the participation fee, $250 was given to the Charlotte Warriors cheerleaders to help purchase uniforms and to help pay participation fees, and $500 was given to replace the press box, which was destroyed during Hurricane Charlie. They have been using a cargo shipping box for a press box. To thank the lodge for their gracious donation, the Charlotte Warriors football team and cheerleaders presented them with a banner, which will be displayed at all home games. There is also large plaque on the new press box noting Deep Creek Elks Lodge as a supporter. Pictured Sept. 4 at the football stadium in Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda, Florida, are Truman Bass, PDD, Exalted Ruler, and Carlos Mercedes, Isabella Rochow, John McCullough and Gavin Ellis.

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Written by David Lake, PSP

On Aug. 24, Fort Myers Lodge members David Lake, PSP and Roger Spencer, Exalted Ruler, presented 100 comfort pillows and five crocheted baby blankets to Michelle Leonard of the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida at their offices. This organization is the private, nonprofit lead agency that administers the child welfare system in five southwest Florida counties. Their mission is to work with the community to protect children and preserve families. Charity Works donated the pillows to the Florida State Elks Association to be distributed to children in need. The blankets were made and donated by Gail Mascari, a lodge member and a past President of the lodge’s Ladies of Elks organization.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

At the lodge Christmas-in-July dinner July 24, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 presented a check for $2,000 from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant along with $120 collected that night to the Children's Network of Southwest Florida. In addition to the monetary donations, during the month of July, members and guests placed packages of diapers and baby wipes under the Christmas tree in the lodge to present to the organization. The Children's Network is the private and nonprofit lead agency that administers the child welfare system in five southwest Florida counties. Pictured are Michelle Leonard, executive assistant to the CEO and human resources liaison, and Roger Spencer, Exalted Ruler, holding one of the many donated packages of diapers.

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Written by Ambrose Yelovich, PER

Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 held a series of blood drives from February through June 10, which yielded 61 pints. This amount could save up to 183 lives, as one pint of blood saves three lives. The majority of donors were lodge members but there were some members of the community who donated as well, as Elks welcome anyone to participate. Pictured June 10 is Ambrose Yelovich, PER, chair of the lodge’s blood drives, holding a gallon jug with the number “25” on it representing the number of gallons he has donated. OneBlood has awarded him with the Super Donor status. The lodge holds a drive every 56 days. Pictured with Yelovich is Lori O’Brien, OneBlood account representative, presenting him with a decal and certificate of appreciation.