Southwest District

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Written by South Hillsborough Elks

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On Oct. 24, South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 donated $2,500 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Sun City Center United Methodist Church to purchase nutritional food for children and youth of the community whose families are financially disadvantaged. Dinner is served twice weekly in the church’s dining room.

Pictured among others are Grace Bibisi, PER, trustee; Joyce Dominick-Schaefer, PER, grant coordinator, presenting the donation to Pastor Josh Landers; Jennifer Clance, coordinator of the younger youth program and the youth group; and Bill Turner, coordinator of the older youth program.

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Written by Chuck Stieb

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On Oct. 25, members of Manasota, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota and Bradenton Elks lodges, along with Elroy the Elk, the mascot for the Elks Drug Awareness program, attended the Manatee County School Board meeting for the reading of the proclamation of Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31. Jack Cantwell, PDD from Bradenton Lodge spoke on behalf of the BPOE national Drug Awareness program, the largest volunteer drug awareness program in the United States. He mentioned the Elks support of Red Ribbon Week to communicate drug awareness to youth. From Oct. 24 through Oct. 31, Elroy the Elk (Dawn Markham) was escorted by Diane Davis to 11 elementary schools in the Manatee County School District to greet students at arrival/morning announcements and visit classrooms to deliver his message of “Say NO to Drugs.”

Pictured are Jack Cantwell, PDD, Drug Awareness State Vice Chair from Bradenton Lodge; Diane Davis, Manasota Lodge Drug Awareness Chair; Ken Davis, PDD from Manasota Lodge; Dale Steinke, Manasota Lodge Exalted Ruler; and Elroy the Elk (Dawn Markham from Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge). Pictured in the back row are members of the Manatee County School Board.

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Written by JoAnn Reddy

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During Hurricane Ian, John Piper, PER and Diane Jethwa, kitchen manager, of Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 volunteered to stay at the lodge and keep it open to members and their pets so that they could shelter safely. Five members and their pets checked in Sept. 27 and stayed two days, until the hurricane passed.

Pictured is a member and her pet.

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Written by Sarasota South Elks

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Earlier this year after receiving an email from a neighbor (whose parents were Elks) about a family in need, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 got involved. They contacted the family and found out that 6-year-old Ava Zinmeister was born with a severe case of cerebral palsy caused by Kleefstra syndrome. Due to Ava’s condition, her mother, Toby, had to carry her up and down outside flights of stairs multiple times a day to transport her to therapies, doctor appointments and school. To make matters worse, Toby struggles with arthritis. It was obvious that Ava needed a lift. The lodge led a drive to raise money for a battery-operated chair lift and raised enough money in one night to pay for the chair. The lodge also informed the family about Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services. Toby said they had tried so many organizations for donations but were always told the money ran out. “The Elks stood up when no one else would; we’re so appreciative. I’m thankful to the Elks beyond words,” said Toby.

Shown in the picture is Ava in her chair with the lift wheels.

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Written by JoAnn Reddy

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On Aug. 27, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 donated $2,000 to Hooves with H.E.A.R.T., an organization that provide supports and hope to individuals with special needs through riding therapies. Lodge members had a great time visiting with the kids and meeting the riding therapists, parents and Tilly, one of the therapy horses. They were also presented with a thank you picture board as a gift from the entire group.

Lodge member Sarah Davis, back right, presented the check to Danielle Curtis, middle. The funds were raised from a breakfast and vender fair held in the lodge in June.

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Written by Bradenton Elks

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Bradenton Lodge conducted an awards ceremony June 27 to recognize local small businesses that properly fly the American flag. There were 41 Bradenton small businesses awarded the Grand Exalted Ruler’s Certificate of Honor. Those who could not attend the ceremony received their award in a private visit.

Pictured are Michelle Suzano, Breezy Bakery; Dan Tabor, FSEA President; Tom Anderson, Lazy Turtle; Bob Erwin, PDD; Gene Brown, Brown and Sons Funeral Home and City of Bradenton mayor; Donna Maree, Anna Maria Oyster Bar; Jim Galanio, Pig Out Restaurant; and Elsha Douquet, Exalted Ruler.