Southwest Central District

Details

Written by Lakeland Elks

On Dec. 19, Lakeland Lodge held its annual Boys and Girls Club Christmas party while practicing safe social distancing and mask-wearing by everyone. The event included games, crafts, pony rides, fishing, tattoos, a pizza lunch, and a visit from Elroy the Elk and Santa. Funds of $1,500 from the Elks National Foundation and donations from members were used for this event. The lodge gave gifts to the 27 children who attended, and members also provided more than $2,000 worth of gifts and toys from participating in the lodge’s Angel Tree. Pictured are members Carl Hutchcraft and Alice Murray helping with crafts and John McArthur aka Elroy.

Lakeland Lodge also provided much needed assistance for the Toys for Tots Drive. They collected batteries and donated $1,500.

Details

Written by Lakeland Elks

Each October, Lakeland Lodge’s focus is breast cancer awareness. This year due to the coronavirus pandemic, they were unable to hold their annual Puttin’ on the Pink fundraiser, but that didn’t stop them from supporting the cause. During October, they sold pink ribbons and pink diamonds and raised $2,900 for Hollis Cancer Center for breast cCancer patients to help defray their costs.

Details

Written by Lakeland Elks

In November, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291, the home lodge of the Brotherhood Riders, held an auction fundraiser and raised $12,000 for families of fallen first responders.

Details

Written by Marge Holbrook

The grandchild of a Lake Placid Elks Lodge member asked the board members for a donation to plan a celebration for all the teams, cheerleaders, coaches and volunteers involved with Lake Placid Youth sports which are offered by the community for those who want to participate in seasonal sports. The lodge agreed to donate hot dogs, buns, chips, sodas and bottled water for everyone. On Nov. 10, six lodge members hosted the party on the field after the final games. The coaches and some parents pictured are volunteers and give their time to work with the children in the community.

Details

Written by Ronna Mason

Each year the Elks National Foundation sponsors an Americanism essay contest for students in fifth through eighth grade. Lodge winners then move on to the district level and then possibly to the state and national level. This year's theme is, "How Can Patriotism be Demonstrated?" Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 received five submissions from Sebring Middle School; history teacher, Linda Lakes, promoted the contest at the school. All essays were very well written and the committee's task of choosing the winner was not an easy one. On Dec. 15, the winners were chosen and awards were distributed. Pictured are Wainetta Holmes, Exalted Ruler; Linda Lakes; Harper Schuknecht, first place winner who was presented $100; Leah Koehler, second place winner who was presented $50; Jayce Graham, Ava Barnes, and Sami Rather who were presented $20 Walmart gift certificates; and Diane Morse, Americanism Chair.