On Nov. 2, Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 used their $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to support the Manatee County 2019 Stand Down held at the Manatee County Fairgrounds. This is the third year Manasota Lodge has supported this event using an Elks National Foundation grant. The lodge also takes the district drug awareness trailer and distributes red ribbons and drug awareness brochures. Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota lodges also used their Spotlight Grants to support the Stand Down. Members from these lodges handed out toiletries to the 225 registered attendees as well as to some who didn’t register. Of those registered, 120 veterans and 29 of them were homeless veterans. There were 138 attendees who accessed the health services available. Forty-two were given amnesty on legal counts against them, 11 convictions were set aside, and $23,582.37 of fines and fees were set aside.
Manasota Lodge members George Sullivan, Sue Sullivan, Sherman Patton, Marilyn Patton, Jan “Spike” Klocke, Mike Eymann (Bradenton Lodge Exalted Ruler), Ken Davis, Diane Davis, Karen Potter (Bradenton #1511), Jim Klocke and Janet VanArsdale are pictured Nov. 2 at the Manatee County 2019 Stand Down.