Southwest Central District

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Written by Sebring Elks

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On Dec. 20, Sebring Lodge presented the Hartland Horses & Handicap organization a check for $2,000 from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. Hartland Horses & Handicap is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to use horses “to challenge perceived limitations of children and adults with disabilities that help them learn and grow while improving their lives.” Pictured are Hartland board member Mary Moll; lodge member and volunteer, Cheryl Paplaskas; board member Bonnie Williamson; Exalted Ruler, Ken Hedges; and board member Claire Langway.

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Written by East Polk Elks

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On Dec. 15, East Polk Elks Lodge #2882 hosted a Christmas party for the children from the Light House School for the Visually Impaired from Winter Haven, Fla. They also invited the Silver Spurs Cloggers, a group which has children who would otherwise be unable to afford dance lessons. Both Elroy the Elk and Santa visited with the children and all children received a warm jacket or sweatshirt and at least one toy they wanted. The Winter Haven Police and Fire Department also visited the lodge to give demonstrations to the children.

Santa (Kenny Jenkins) visits with children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15 while member Mary Lou Collins assists.

Elroy the Elk (Boone Deyo) greets children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15.

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Written by East Polk Elks

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On Dec. 15, East Polk Elks Lodge #2882 hosted a Christmas party for the children from the Light House School for the Visually Impaired from Winter Haven, Fla. They also invited the Silver Spurs Cloggers, a group which has children who would otherwise be unable to afford dance lessons. Both Elroy the Elk and Santa visited with the children and all children received a warm jacket or sweatshirt and at least one toy they wanted. The Winter Haven Police and Fire Department also visited the lodge to give demonstrations to the children.

Santa (Kenny Jenkins) visits with children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15 while member Mary Lou Collins assists.

Elroy the Elk (Boone Deyo) greets children at East Polk Lodge’s Christmas party Dec. 15.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner

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Brandon Lodge adopted eight families with a total of 17 children and made sure these families enjoyed a wonderful Christmas. On Dec. 18 there was plenty of Christmas spirit at the lodge with Christmas carols playing while elves wrapped gifts. Grandchildren of lodge members were sharing in the merriment and learning first-hand what Elks do! This is an annual tradition, and each year, families are sought that have fallen on hard times. Marionette Sexton, Lecturing Knight, chairs this event. Lodge members choose a child to adopt and purchase and wrap presents. An entire Christmas dinner is also provided to the families.

Brandon Lodge members Donald Harrison; Nancy Price, treasurer; and Nickie Wells, PER, trustee, wrap Christmas gifts Dec. 18 at the lodge for local families.

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Written by Judy Wise

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The Plant City Police Department informed Plant City Lodge that they often deal with traumatized children and it is much easier if they have a stuffed animal to give to them to help calm them. If the children are placed into foster care, the children usually only bring a few personal items with them because they are removed from the home with nothing but the clothes on their back. Exalted Ruler, Ron Johns, donated a large amount of new stuffed toy animals for the police department to carry in their cars.

Ron Johns, Plant City Exalted Ruler, presents stuffed animals to Plant City police officer Russell Fredrick to be given to children during stressful times.