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Southwest District
Sarasota South Elks Host Red Ribbon Event for Saint Mary Academy Students
- Details
- Written by Dee Pico-Keim
Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 invited students from Saint Mary Academy to the lodge Oct. 19 for a Red Ribbon Day picnic at the lodge’s outdoor Tiki area. Dee Pico-Keim, Lodge Drug Awareness Education Chair, gave a presentation about the origins of Red Ribbon Week and the dangers of illegal drugs and the abuse of prescription pills. They all played Red Ribbon bingo, which was also used as an educational resource. They then made posters using this year's theme and the Drug Awareness Education Committee judged the posters and gave out six prizes. Lunch consisted of burgers, hot dogs, chips and a beverage. They all received goody bags filled with sunglasses, frisbees, bracelets and more. The students took the pledge to be drug-free and were presented with certificates.
Pictured are the sixth, seventh and eighth graders holding their certificates, teachers and Drug Awareness Education Committee members.
South Hillsborough Elks Share Grant to Help Feed Local Children
- Details
- Written by South Hillsborough Elks
On Sept. 11, South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 donated $6,500 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to the United Methodist Church in Sun City, Florida, to help defray the cost of feeding underserved children. The church feeds between 70 and 75 children weekly and meals are provided to take home to their families.
Pictured are Pastor Richard Hasley; Grace Bibisi, PER, trustee; Rachel Ravencraft, Lecturing Knight and lodge grant coordinator; Bill Turner, director of youth ministry; Sugar Conrad, Exalted Ruler; and Ray Bibisi, PDD, Lodge Advisor.
Sarasota South Elks Deliver Backpacks and Supplies to Tatum Ridge Elementary
- Details
- Written by Cindy Vaillancourt
On Aug. 2, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 used its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and prepared and delivered 96 backpacks filled with school supplies to Tatum Ridge Elementary in Sarasota, Florida.
Pictured are lodge member Lisa Frick; Barry Dunn, principal; and Su Harley, Exalted Ruler.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Continue EFELT Program
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 is again buying and stocking food to feed children on weekends during the school year through the Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies program. The lodge will be using its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant throughout the school year for EFELT.
Pictured are lodge members Clay and Toni stocking the pantry.
Sarasota South Elks Lodge Donates Grant to St. Mary Academy for School Lunches
- Details
- Written by Cindy Vaillancourt
On May 15, Sarasota South Lodge provided its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to St. Mary Academy in Sarasota, Florida, for students who qualify for free lunches and snacks. The mission of St. Mary Academy is to provide an exceptional school for diverse learners. Member Lisa Frick completed the grant application.
Sarasota South Elks Lodge Recognizes JROTC Cadets
- Details
- Written by Cindy Vaillancourt
Sarasota South Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, Su Harley, awarded six Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps medals and certificates to deserving cadet students at three Sarasota schools. Riverview High School (May 3), Booker High School (May 10) and Sarasota Military Academy (May 12) each selected two distinguished cadets in their respective programs to receive the awards.
Palmetto Elks Lodge Hosts Flag Day Observance
- Details
- Written by Palmetto Elks
Palmetto Lodge held its annual Flag Day observance June 11, with the public invited to attend. The Stars and Stripes flag was adopted as the official U.S. flag June 14, 1777 and in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson established June 14 as Flag Day.
Pictured displaying the flags are members Lorraine Baker and Kitty Flournoy.
Girl Scout Troop 33322 Joins South Hillsborough Elks Lodge for Flag Day Salute
- Details
- Written by South Hillsborough Elks
South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 held its annual Flag Day salute June 17. The flags were presented by Girl Scout Troop 33322 and honored the flag from 1775 to the present time.
Pictured are Anniah Wanless, Quarje Moore, Gabbie McGlinsey, Vivian Abston, Bella Vielledent and Isabella Correa.
Manasota Elks Lodge Awards Americanism Essay Contest Winners
- Details
- Written by Manasota Elks
Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 received more than 25 Americanism essays from the three Abel Elementary School fifth grade classes. The Lodge Americanism Chair, Ken Davis, PDD, awarded the three contest winners with a certificates of appreciation and $35 Target gift cards.
Pictured are Mrs. Reeder, fifth grade teacher; Ken Davis, PDD, Americanism Lodge Chair; students Eshana M., Gwen M. and Jaydyn R.; Diane Davis, lodge trustee; and Mrs. Goodwin, fifth grade teacher.
Bradenton Elks Lodge Hosts District Blood Drive in Honor of State President Dan Tabor
- Details
- Written by Bradenton Elks
Bradenton Lodge hosted a Southwest District blood drive May 13 in honor of State President Dan Tabor. The lodge coordinated with Life South Community Blood Center and Moffitt Cancer Center. There were 14 pints of whole blood and 1 pint of plasma collected.
Pictured are Becky Wright, Life South supervisor; Dave Gillum, District Vice President; Rachel Tabor, Dan Tabor’s wife; and Sherie Gillum, Venice-Nokomis Lodge Exalted Ruler.
Palmetto Elks Lodge Supports One Child More to Help Foster Families and Children
- Details
- Written by Lorraine Baker
Palmetto Elks Lodge #2449 donated $6,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants to One Child More, an organization that helps feed, clothe and house foster children and foster families at no cost to the families. This organization has built six homes for individual families in the past two years and is in the process of building two more to house foster families. One Child More has literacy programs to help children read and they send COVID-19 medications where needed.
Pictured are Linda Beck, Lecturing Knight; Tom Gafner, trustee; Helen Sexton, Secretary; Steve Baker, Exalted Ruler; Kitty Flournoy, Inner Guard; Kenneth Beery, Tiler; Tim Boyd, One Child More director; Len Meade, PER; Lorraine Baker, grants coordinator; and Lorraine McGee, chaplain.
Derby Day at Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Raises Funds for Elks National Foundation
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge held a Kentucky Derby fundraiser May 6 for the Elks National Foundation, collecting $1,262. The event consisted of bar horse racing games, appetizers, a food buffet, best hat competitions and the live derby race.
Pictured are a few members displaying their hats.