South Southwest District

Details

Written by Karen Rohm

Pictured with the gifts are Sharon Bienvenue; Linda Killian, public relations; Helga Kuzmik, chaplain; Karen Rohm, president; Sue Crady, vice president; Judy Smith; Mary Gail Phillips, secretary; Kathie Flecken; Tammy Britt; Linda Schumacher; Sue Bemister; Cathy Chartan, treasurer; and Wanda Morris.

Pictured with the grocery donations are Sharon Bienvenue, Helga Kuzmik, Sue Crady, Linda Killian, Sue Bemister, Tammy Britt, Judy Smith, Wanda Morris, Karen Rohm, Linda Schumacher and Kathie Flecken.

 For many years, the Deep Creek Ladies of Elks have sponsored an Angel Tree for the children from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Charlotte County, Florida. This year, Melissa Nelson, Director, informed them that these children and their families had been adversely affected by the pandemic and therefore each child was asking for only one gift and nonperishable food for their families. On Nov. 2, the Angel Tree was set up and decorated with pearl angels made by member Judi Anderson. On Nov. 4, tags with 115 children’s names and wishes were put on the tree. A mere two weeks later, the last tag was removed. By Dec. 9, all gifts had been returned and there was a plethora of nonperishable food. On Dec. 10, Big Brother/Big Sister volunteers came to pick everything up. On the first trip, a large SUV was packed full with gifts. They returned with the SUV and a pickup truck for the food. In addition to all this, Deep Creek Lodge donated 115 gift cards totaling $2,300 from Publix so the families could purchase perishable foods for their holiday dinner.

Details

Written by Diane Hendrick

On Sept. 24, Fort Myers Lodge officers presented its $3,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Major Tim Gilliam of the Salvation Army pantry in Fort Myers, Florida. Food pantry personnel try to help everyone who comes to the Outreach Service Center for food. Pictured are Eric Lane, campaign and partnership manager of the Salvation Army; Alan Anderson, Loyal Knight; Roger Spencer, Exalted Ruler; Major Gilliam; and David Lake, Past State President.

Details

Written by Diane Hendrick

On Sept. 24, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 donated its $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to the Community Cooperative in Fort Myers, Florida. The mission of Community Cooperative is to eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education and social service programs.  Pictured are Alan Anderson, Loyal Knight; David Lake, Past State President; Stefani Ink-Edwards of the Community Cooperative; and Roger Spencer, Exalted Ruler.

Details

Written by Rotonda Elks

Using a $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 is purchasing $500 worth of food a month in July, August, September and October for the food bank of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church’s Outreach Program in Grove City, Florida. Matt Egan, director of the St. Francis Outreach Program, gives them a list of needed foods. July shoppers were Cheryl Culpan, Jeanne Karellas and Debbie Sommers, Lodge Secretary. August shoppers included Vickie Annabelle-Nine, assistant secretary; Francie Brown and her sister, Betty; and Debbie Sommers. Pictured are September shoppers, Debbie Sommers and Vickie Annabelle-Nine.

Rotonda Lodge will use $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant ($1,000 from Elks National Foundation and $1,000 from a matching grant from the Florida State Elks Association) to buy $500 worth of food and personal hygiene items a month for September, October, November and December for the Englewood Helping Hand food pantry in Englewood, Florida. Volunteers in September were Jean Humphreys, PER; Vickie Annabelle-Nine and Debbie Sommers.

Details

Written by Punta Gorda Elks

Using $1,305.31 of its $2,000 Gratitude Grant, Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 donated food to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Punta Gorda, Florida, and the Jesus Loves You Ministry in Port Charlotte, Florida, a mobile outreach program for those experiencing homelessness. A large microwave was also delivered to the Jesus Loves You Ministry using $230 from the Gratitude Grant. In addition, the lodge donated $1,500 from its $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to St. Vincent de Paul for a new freezer. Food deliveries were made Aug. 31 and the microwave was delivered Sept. 3.

Pictured delivering food to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank are Judy Nuetzel, South Southwest District Vice President, and Fred Nuetzel, Exalted Ruler. Also pictured are two food bank volunteers whose names were unavailable. Fred Nuetzel is also pictured delivering food with a volunteer from Jesus Loves You Ministry and presenting a check for the freezer to a volunteer from St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. Ambrose Yelovich, PER pictured with volunteer James Hicks delivers a large microwave to the Jesus Loves You Ministry.