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Florida Elks News Editor:
Rachael King
Entire contents copyright 2020 by the
Florida State Elks Association Inc.
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
352-669-9443
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South District
Florida Keys Lodge Hosts Breakfast with Santa
- Details
- Written by Florida Keys Elks
Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 used its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to hold a breakfast with Santa Dec. 5 with more than 100 children and family members in attendance. Families enjoyed breakfast, tableside activities and a singalong. Mr. and Mrs. Claus made their appearance and provided social distancing while family photos were taken in the Christmas sleigh. All children received personalized gifts and goody bags to take home. The afternoon highlight was a performance by local magician, Michael Trixx, who entertained everyone with his extravagant show. Many members were involved in putting this community event together for a day of fun. Pictured are Brenda Cockrell, Exalted Ruler; Nikki Johnson, member; and Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Also shown are gifts purchased for the children and one of the children dressed up to see Santa Claus.
South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Use Grant to Provide Food to 210 Familes
- Details
- Written by South Miami/Coral Gables Elks
On Aug. 13, South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 used its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant in cooperation with Miami Dade Police Department Neighbor Resource Unit, Officer Tookes and the office of Commissioner Dennis Moss to distribute food to families at the following locations: Hope Deliverance Church (50 families), Sunset Point Public Housing (50 families), Arthur Mays Villas Public Housing (50 families), Gould's Senior Citizens Center (30 families), West Jessamine Elderly Center (10 families), West Evergreen Elderly Center (10 families), and Circle Plaza East & West Public Housing Complex (10 families).
Florida Keys Lodge Donates Grant to High School's Assistance Fund
- Details
- Written by Florida Keys
On Sept. 10, Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Coral Shores High School Needy Assistance Fund. Due to the pandemic, students and teachers did not return to the classrooms until Sept. 21. These funds will be used to provide students and teachers with a significant amount of necessary supplies for resuming classroom education. In addition, this donation will provide students in need with eyeglasses appointments and eyeglasses, school clothes, and other pertinent supplies needed to succeed in the classroom. Pictured are Brenda Cockrell, lodge grant coordinator and Exalted Ruler; Kristy Munafo, assistant vice principal; Janet Ciccarelli, Lodge Secretary; and Ana Alvaro, assistant vice principal.
Miami Elks Donate Adaptive Tricycle for 9-Year-Old
- Details
- Written by ---
Working with Wheelchairs 4 Kids of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Miami Elks Lodge #948 donated $1,278so that 9-year-old Franklin could have an adaptive therapy tricycle. His mother wrote a letter to the organization asking for assistance, and the organization reached out to the lodge since they have a longstanding relationship; the lodge has sponsored more than 30 children in need of adaptive equipment. In the letter, Franklin’s mother explains that he “was born with a congenital heart defect (CHO) known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). He has had six open heart surgeries and 12 cardiac catheterizations to this date and a pacemaker implanted since 2012. In addition to his heart condition and as a consequence of lack of oxygen during multiple interventions, Franklin suffered brain damage and was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy….He presents a global developmental delay which prevents him from performing regular activities other children his age would. He takes daily medications and requires full assistance for ambulation, bathroom, feeding, etc. and specialized care for monitoring his condition. He receives therapy services (physical, occupational, speech and behavioral) at home several times a week. In the past, Franklin was able to use a standard kids’ tricycle to exercise his legs. Now, he outgrew the kids’ size and the next stage tricycles don't provide the additional safety that Franklin requires. I actually purchased the smallest adult tricycle I could afford and made some modifications but it is not safe for him….Unfortunately, insurance companies won't cover this device.”
According to Nina Shaw, Programs Team Leader for Wheelchairs 4 Kids, “Franklin is an average boy who is above average. He enjoys activities similar to other kids. His routine is to watch “Paw Patrol” after lunch and “Peppa Pig” before bedtime. The last thing Franklin does before falling asleep is reading a “Peppa Pig” book. The young boy listens to a variety of music that puts him into a relaxed mood. He likes getting fresh air and going to the park to watch people play baseball and basketball. Franklin is a sports fan, especially of soccer. He attends many games to support his cousin who plays the popular sport. Franklin is a huge fan of the former Real Madrid player, Cristiano Ronaldo. Franklin, however, is not defined by his interests. He is a good kid with an endless smile and a positive attitude.” Shaw also notes that the tricycle will be used “to improve his leg flexibility, strength and balance. The trike will also be another outlet for him to play outside.”
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the organization is not doing presentations, so the tricycle was sent directly to his home from the manufacturer July 13 and he was riding it every day!
Florida Keys Lodge Awards $12,000 in Scholarships
- Details
- Written by Jane Ferguson
Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 awarded $12,000 ($2,400 each) in scholarships to Coral Shores seniors Jennifer Setchell, Windley Hagood, Luke Gutierrez, Olivia Bentacourt and Vaclav Cernosek. All recipients have been active volunteers at the lodge serving at Soccer Shoot dinners, the fish tournament and the Friday fish fry. They are also active in the community while maintaining good grades. They visited the lodge May 28 to introduce themselves.
Miami Lodge Makes $1,000 Donation to Feeding South Florida
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- Written by Miami Elks
At the regular lodge meeting June 17, Miami Lodge members approved a donation of $1,000 to Feeding South Florida. Feeding South Florida is south Florida’s leading domestic nonprofit hunger-relief organization serving 25% of the state’s food-insecure population. The organization serves Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. Their outreach extends to children, older adults, veterans, single parents, the working poor and other needy members of the community. Their mission statement is as follows: “Feeding South Florida’s mission is to end hunger in south Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts, and transforming lives through innovative programming and education.
Key West Elks Feed and Entertain Residents at Key West Convalescent Center
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- Written by Key West Elks
On Feb. 29, Key West Elks Lodge #551 brought residents of the Key West Convalescent Center together for music, food and beverages to celebrate Leap Year. Lodge Esquire, Fredy Varela, prepared the Cuban mixed sandwiches. They had a great time including their staff. The residents enjoyed the familiar sounds of music from the 1950s and 1960s. The lodge also provided a teddy bear to each of the 75 attendees. Pictured are Natalie Castaldo, Lodge Secretary; Burnette Hardin, volunteer; Elizabeth Ignoffo, Inner Guard; Mary Wheeler, Exalted Ruler; Bob Reber, volunteer; and Helen Garcia, South District Deputy.
Miami Elks Sponsor Christmas Party and Receive a Local Donation to Help
- Details
- Written by Kathleen Delores
Miami Elks Lodge #948 adopted six families in need in the Miami area this holiday season and treated them to a Christmas party at the lodge Dec. 14 as part of a Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign. Along with the lodge’s $1,500 set aside for this event, additional funds were received from South Dade Lighting, a showroom in Miami. On Dec. 2, they donated $2,600 to the lodge after a member informed them of all the charitable things the Elks do for children and veterans. Many times, lodge members give donations of money or food if the lodge doesn’t have enough money, but that wasn’t necessary this year thanks to this gift. The business collected money from customers by giving them a discount and they let them know that this extra discount would be given to the Elks. The lodge gave the children in each family presents and the families received Publix gift cards. Frankie’s Pizza owned by lodge members donated pizzas at half price for the party. Members made brownies and bought Christmas cookies. The invited families were suggested by Dade County social workers who deemed them the most needy. In the past, the lodge had a Christmas party for members’ children, but they made the decision to host this party for these families instead who otherwise would not have had a Christmas.
Pictured are Maria Mila, general manager of South Dade Lighting; Nancy Carr, chairman of Miami Lodge’s board; Frank Reynolds, Exalted Ruler; and Don Elliott, president of South Dade Lighting, as the business presents Miami Lodge with $2,600 to use for their six adopted families this holiday season.
Florida Keys Lodge's Children's Christmas Party Includes Magic
- Details
- Written by Ruth Huenniger
On Dec. 14, Florida Keys Lodge had their children’s Christmas party. The Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant makes this possible every year. Each year the event gets better with decorating cookies, playing games, crafting, a magic show, pictures with Santa and lunch. There were approximately 80 kids as well as the parents attending. Coral Shores High School students volunteered their time as did lodge members.
Magician Michael Trixx is pictured with Julia Baizs during the lodge’s children’s Christmas party Dec. 14.
Florida Keys Lodge Supports High School Students in Need
- Details
- Written by Ruth Huenniger
Thanks to the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, Florida Keys Lodge presented a check for $2,000 Dec. 12 at the lodge to Coral Shores High School for their fund for students in need. This fund was created to help purchase items needed for students such as eyeglasses, shoes, and graduation and prom attire. Pictured are school representatives Anna Alvaro and Kristy Bedell accepting the check from Exalted Ruler, Denny Tarbell.
MARC Clients Attend Christmas Party at Florida Keys Lodge
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- Written by Ruth Huenniger
Using some of their Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant funds, Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 spent Dec. 10 celebrating Christmas with clients from MARC. According to marchouse.org, “The Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens is a non-profit agency that serves adult clients within Monroe County who have developmental disabilities that include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and traumatic brain injury sustained prior to age 18.” Santa (Tim Hartnett) gave gifts, Christmas carols were sung and there was music for dancing. A luncheon of ham, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and dessert was served.
South Miami/Coral Gables Lodge Holds Concert for Hurricane Relief
- Details
- Written by Bob Vento
On Oct. 14, South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 presented a $2,500 check to Neighbors 4 Neighbors (N4N) for the Hurricane Dorian relief fund at CBS 4 WFOR Television in Miami. The lodge raised this money through a benefit concert held Sept. 29 at the lodge.
Pictured are Keni Garcia, N4N; Jim Glolowski, 5-year trustee; Katy Meagher, N4N; Reggie Hernandez, Exalted Ruler; Debbie Budde, Lecturing Knight; Lynne Cameron, Executive Director of N4N; and Tim Brockland, Slippery Tim & Friends.