South Southwest District

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Written by David Lake, PSP

On Aug. 24, Fort Myers Lodge members David Lake, PSP and Roger Spencer, Exalted Ruler, presented 100 comfort pillows and five crocheted baby blankets to Michelle Leonard of the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida at their offices. This organization is the private, nonprofit lead agency that administers the child welfare system in five southwest Florida counties. Their mission is to work with the community to protect children and preserve families. Charity Works donated the pillows to the Florida State Elks Association to be distributed to children in need. The blankets were made and donated by Gail Mascari, a lodge member and a past President of the lodge’s Ladies of Elks organization.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

At the lodge Christmas-in-July dinner July 24, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 presented a check for $2,000 from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant along with $120 collected that night to the Children's Network of Southwest Florida. In addition to the monetary donations, during the month of July, members and guests placed packages of diapers and baby wipes under the Christmas tree in the lodge to present to the organization. The Children's Network is the private and nonprofit lead agency that administers the child welfare system in five southwest Florida counties. Pictured are Michelle Leonard, executive assistant to the CEO and human resources liaison, and Roger Spencer, Exalted Ruler, holding one of the many donated packages of diapers.

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Written by Ambrose Yelovich, PER

Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 held a series of blood drives from February through June 10, which yielded 61 pints. This amount could save up to 183 lives, as one pint of blood saves three lives. The majority of donors were lodge members but there were some members of the community who donated as well, as Elks welcome anyone to participate. Pictured June 10 is Ambrose Yelovich, PER, chair of the lodge’s blood drives, holding a gallon jug with the number “25” on it representing the number of gallons he has donated. OneBlood has awarded him with the Super Donor status. The lodge holds a drive every 56 days. Pictured with Yelovich is Lori O’Brien, OneBlood account representative, presenting him with a decal and certificate of appreciation.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

On May 12, Fort Myers Elks presented a check for $1,000 to the Salvation Army to assist them in their Fan Club project, which helps provide more than 300 box fans to prescreened seniors and families with low incomes as temperatures, electric bills and heat-related illnesses rise in southwest Florida. Eric Lane, campaign and partnership manager, accepts the check from Diane Hendrick, trustee; Bob Weinburg, Lecturing Knight; and David Lake, PSP, Esquire.

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Written by Chris Horn

Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 was the proud sponsor of eighth grader Mexi Font, Florida’s Division II first place winner in the annual Americanism essay contest. On May 7, Mexi’s parents, Holly Font and Spencer Hartvigsen, were invited to dinner at the lodge where Mexi was awarded a $1,500 check. She also attended the Florida Elks state convention in Orlando, Florida, May 29, and read her winning essay. Pictured with Mexi are Jean Humphreys, PER; Roger Redman, PER; Bob Humphreys, PER; and Paul Bernhardt, Exalted Ruler.