Central District

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Written by Zephyrhills Elks

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On April 22, Judy Osgood, Zephyrhills Lodge Chair of the Elks National Foundation Fundraising Committee, began collecting shoes and monetary donations for students at Woodland Elementary School. A large box and container were decorated with cutouts of shoes and placed in the lodge's lobby until August. On Aug. 18, Osgood presented Lisa Selleto, social worker, with approximately 95 pairs of shoes from the collection and the $360 in donations. Woodland Elementary is a Title 1 school with many students from low-income families. Selleto was recently introduced to the lodge’s fundraising efforts and was very impressed by the donations collected.  

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Written by John Gudavich

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On June 17, Frank Ruszala, Chair of the Aripeka Lodge Board of Directors, and Bob Russell, Exalted Ruler, present a check for $1,000 to Jessica Quintero, team supervisor, and Gabby Flores, outreach manager of the Healthy Start Coalition of Pasco County, Florida. The organization provides total support for infant children whose families cannot financially support new children. In addition, Ruszala presented the coalition with handmade blankets and shawls that were made and donated by lodge members.

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Written by John Gudavich

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On the evening of June 17, Aripeka Elks Lodge #2520 donated $1,000 that was raised by lodge members to K9 Partners for Patriots to help fund the purchase and training of a K9 dog for a veteran in need. Receiving the donation from Exalted Ruler Bob Russell are Vreli Covington, Stephanie Doctor and Mary Peter, founder of the organization. The complete 24-week Service Dog Training Program includes the cost of the dog’s purchase, all necessary equipment and the training, which is provided to the veteran at no cost.  The lodge Veterans Committee is raising funds to purchase and train two K9 dogs at a cost of $8,000 each.

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Written by Susan Slater

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On June 1, Zephyrhills Lodge began its annual summer program, Feed the Kids, using its $6,000 Elks National Foundation Impact Grant. To meet the demands of the higher costs of food this year, members are doing raffles and the lodge is receiving donations from members and the community. The Lunches on the Go program is continuing to serve meals in a drive-thru setting with the concerns of COVID still present. Five days a week, between 30 and 35 members and community volunteers cook, pack and serve meals through the dining room door. The families drive up with a number to show how many children they have and then drive away with meals and donations of food. The food donations come from community organizations such as Harpervalleyson's Food Pantry in nearby Wesley Chapel, Meals on Wheels and Thomas Promise in Zephyrhills. The lodge feeds an average of 80 children per day. The children also receive a weekly craft project and books. The books are donated by the local Rotary Club.

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Written by Diane Ellison

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On May 26, Zephyrhills Lodge and the Veterans Committee donated clothing, bread, rolls and pastries to Food and Fellowship in Zephyrhills, Florida. Their mission is to help individuals and families who are displaced. Last year at the end of the lodge’s Feed the Kids program, the lodge donated its extra food to Food and Fellowship, helping them feed those in need. Pictured are Ken Fabiani, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair, and Lawrence Vickstrom, executive director.