Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 used its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant along with the Florida State Elks Association matching funds to support five local Title 1 schools. The lodge has a long history of supporting and interacting with their local schools and used this grant donation as another opportunity to build a stronger community. On March 4, Sharon Hammersla, District Deputy and Brandon Lodge’s grant coordinator, accompanied by Mary Lou Scribner, PER, met with the five school principals and delivered checks for $1,400 each. The schools that received these donations were Willis Peters Exceptional Center in Dover, Lopez Exceptional Center and Seffner Elementary School in Seffner, and Mintz Elementary School and Yates Elementary School in Brandon.
Pictured at Yates Elementary School are Lisa Varnum, principal/administrator; Mary Lou Scribner, PER; Sharon Hammersla, District Deputy and lodge grant coordinator; and Vaniece Johnson, social worker.