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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Sarasota South Elks Donate Backpacks Filled with Supplies for Veterans Stand Down
- Details
- Written by Sarasota South Elks
Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 donated 96 backpacks filled with a hat, Chapstick, flashlights, travel hygiene packs, travel first aid kits, baby wipes, toenail clippers, socks and roll blankets to Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) of the Suncoast. These backpacks were greatly appreciated by the unhoused veterans attending the Stand Down event June 26.
Viera Lodge Donates to Multiple Veterans' Causes in April and May
- Details
- Written by Becky Wills
Between April 5 and May 31, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 provided furniture for nine veterans transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing at a total of $1,350. They also donated 30 stick vacuums and fishing poles for veterans in their new homes at a cost of $473. In addition, the lodge spilt the security deposit for a veteran’s apartment with Cocoa and Merritt Island lodges at an amount of $258.33. All funds were provided from Viera Lodge’s Elks National Foundation Focus Grant.
Father's Day Fundraiser at Florida Keys Lodge Raises Funds for Vets on the Water
- Details
- Written by Florida Keys Elks
On June 20, Florida Keys Lodge hosted its annual Father’s Day event. The well-attended event raised over $500 for the lodge-sponsored Vets on the Water program. The mission of Vets on the Water is to provide an uplifting, positive experience through outdoor, environmental and healthy activities that promote the welfare and happiness of veterans. Lodge members Paulette McNamara and Brian Sayre, Inner Guard, toss petals into the bay in memory of fathers everywhere.
Miami Lodge Donates Two Grants to Veterans Ocean Adventures
- Details
- Written by Miami Elks
On March 29, Miami Elks Lodge #948 awarded a $7,000 check to Capt. Branson Rector of Veterans Ocean Adventures. A $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant with matching grant funds from the Florida State Elks Association made the donation possible. Veterans Ocean Adventures provides veterans with disabilities the opportunity to engage in scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing while and feeling the healing power of the water. Pictured are Harold "Bill" Bang, 2021-2022 Exalted Ruler; Captain Rector; and Jeffrey Muehlfeld, PDD, 2020-2021 Exalted Ruler.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge Veterans Committee Provides Requested Items to Veterans Village
- Details
- Written by Randy Volkart & Tom Sweeney
Pictured June 8 at Veterans Village in Bradenton, Florida, are items that were requested by the Village and purchased by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge’s Veterans Committee. They spent $2,525 of their Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant on the items that will be used by the veterans housed there who are transitioning back into society. Items included transit bus tickets, shower curtains with hooks, beach chairs, toilet paper, cookware sets, paper towels, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent and dish detergent. The Village can accommodate 20 veterans within 10 apartment units.
Lake Placid Lodge Holds Memorial Day Ceremony
- Details
- Written by Lake Placid Elks
On May 31, Lake Placid Elks Lodge #2661 held its Memorial Day ceremony for 75 lodge members plus community members. Three veterans shared their experiences as guest speakers, and Gail Sansoussi played each branch song on the organ. The event was well attended and showed much appreciated support of veterans.
Tampa Lodge Sponsors Canoe in Liberty Manor for Veterans Canoe Race
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
On May 31, Memorial Day, Liberty Manor for Veterans, a nonprofit home that houses veterans who live mostly independently under one roof, hosted a canoe race on the Hillsborough River. The canoe sponsors had the option to have a veteran be one of the canoe’s paddlers. The Tampa Lodge Veterans Committee agreed to sponsor a canoe for $500, and the lodge added $500 of its charity funds as well. Member Joe LoCicero agreed to paddle the canoe for the team, and veteran John France from Liberty Manor joined him. LoCicero is a licensed mental health counselor who owns Green Fields Mental Health Services. He was introduced to the lodge when his niece, Kendall Runyon, was a top 20 Elks National Foundation MVS scholar. She is now in graduate school. He is a faithful member of the Veterans Committee and sometimes volunteers in the kitchen. France is a Vietnam-era veteran who was determined to go to Vietnam, though that was not his first station. He was shot down toward the end of his tour and has been awarded the Bronze Star, Soldier Service award and Purple Heart. He has been diagnosed with Agent Orange-related cancer in several organs and if not for Liberty Manor, he would be without a home. The event also provided food trucks at no cost to the attendees, including salad options and Checkers French fries. Volunteers also grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Sodas, water, snacks, nuts and cookies were also available. Though the lodge’s canoe did not win a prize, they were recognized for sponsoring the canoe.
Pictured are LoCicero and France with their canoe.
Tampa Elks Participate in Memorial Day Wreath-Laying at Cemetery
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
Tampa Lodge’s Past State President, Frank Palladini, has a standing arrangement to mark Memorial Day at American Legion Post 5 by inviting the current Exalted Ruler to join him in placing a wreath at the only privately owned veterans’ cemetery in the country. This year due to the pandemic, the ceremony was held a bit earlier than usual, at 10 a.m., since it was not safe to invite everybody in for a light lunch. Many other fraternities and patriotic organizations also participated in the ceremony, with approximately 35 wreaths presented. Paul DeLand, Exalted Ruler, and Rita Smith, Leading Knight, attended as well as Elks Frank Smith Sr. and Christopher Ragusa who attended in their role as district BSA leaders.
Two St. Petersburg Lodge Officers Donate Mountain Bikes to VAMC
- Details
- Written by May Graci
On May 24, St. Petersburg Lodge Leading Knight, Sharon Literski, and Loyal Knight, Al Literski, donated two mountain bicycles for the veterans’ use at the C.W. Young Bay Pines VAMC. Frank Jones, a voluntary service specialist at Bay Pines, received the donation. The combined value of the donated bicycles was $700.
St. Petersburg Lodge Supports VAMC Women Veterans Baby Shower
- Details
- Written by May Graci
On May 8, Bay Pines VAMC hosted a drive-thru baby shower for women veterans. St Petersburg Lodge in partnership with the American Legion Post 273 riders did a poker run and presented $2,000 to Bay Pines VAMC in addition to $1,800 worth of baby products. The riders also did a ride-through to salute, honor and support veterans welcoming babies into their families. Pictured are Johnny Miller, lodge member and Elks VAVS representative to Bay Pines, and Penny Rase, lodge member and Post 273 member.
Zephyrhills Lodge Donates Blankets, Puzzles and Painting Sets to Veterans Nursing Home
- Details
- Written by Diane Ellison
The Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee with help from lodge members Don Falaas and Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Committee Chair, donated lap blankets, jigsaw puzzles, and paint-by-numbers sets complete with brushes, paints and canvases and were delivered to Baldomero Lopez Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, April 9.
Fort Myers Elks Gift Gratitude Grant to Hearts & Homes for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Diane Hendrick
Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 presented its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Hearts & Homes for Veterans Inc. in Fort Myers May 6. Hearts and Homes is a Florida nonprofit corporation created to support homeless veterans and their families who find themselves without the necessities of everyday life. The veterans are provided with transitional and permanent housing and food and support they need in finding employment as well as transportation to VA clinics and job interviews and when applying for benefits. Pictured are Dick Conley, PDD; David Lake, PSP; and Roger Spencer, PER, Exalted Ruler, presenting the check to David Santini from Hearts and Homes.