Southwest Central District

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Written by Judy Wise

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Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 used their Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to pay off the lunch debts of students in 19 schools in East Hillsborough County. A child's report card or diploma can be held until those debts are paid. The unpaid lunch debt is not part of the free or reduced lunches. These debts are from lower middle-class families that are struggling.

Plant City Lodge member Shelly Lynch Carroll presents 19 checks to Hillsborough County Area Superintendent of Schools, Sharon Morrison, to pay off student lunch debts.

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Written by Ronna Mason

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Special STARS (Sports Training and Recreational Services) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 has been a major sponsor of this organization for many years and continued by attending the softball classic at the Highlands County Sports Complex April 6. Lodge member Jan Funk presented a check for $650 to Robert Lengyel, a member of the Special STARS Recreation board. She also threw out the first pitch. The donation will benefit over 400 athletes, children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. 

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Written by Tony Bonacum

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Approximately 80 people were present for the awarding of 12 scholarships totaling $13,750 at the 2019 scholarship banquet held March 18 at Lakeland Lodge. Serving as emcee for the evening, Scholarship Chairman, Dave Norwine, announced each student and shared their accomplishments including their community service, their school and community involvements, leadership positions, and honors and awards received.

Pictured at Lakeland Lodge’s scholarship banquet March 18 are (back row) Dave Norwine, scholarship chairman; Demetrius J. Rasmussen, Mulberry Senior High School; Parrish A. Westmoreland, Bartow Senior High School; Abby G. Branham, Lakeland Christian School; Gabrielle L. Snyder, International Baccalaureate Bartow High School; and Anthony M. Amato, Winter Haven Senior High School. In the front row are Hanna D. Womersley, All Saints Academy, Winter Haven; Jacquelin Flores, Mulberry Senior High School; Lauren A. Musselman, George W. Jenkins Senior High School; Olivia M. Potthast, Chain of Lakes Collegiate Senior High School; Elizabeth Gonzalez, International Baccalaureate Bartow High School; Jasper L. Montgomery, International Baccalaureate Bartow High School; and Vicki Baker, Exalted Ruler. Unable to attend was Adelle R. Barski, Johnson Ferry Christian Academy, Marietta, Ga.)

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner

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Six Brandon Ladies of Elks (B.L.O.E.) members who are also teachers were each presented a check for $150 funded by the $900 president’s grant awarded to Brandon Lodge. Exalted Ruler, Christine Vogel; grant coordinator, PER Sharon Hammersla; and chairman, PER Mary Lou Scribner, presented the checks during the B.L.O.E. officer installation and banquet. This money can be used for the needs of their classrooms. Pictured are Christine Vogel, ER; Teresa Reeves; Milagros Marrero; PER Mary Lou Scribner; Donna Mancuso Fultz; PER Sharon Hammersla; Cathy Hudson; Robin Rutzke; and Michele Garcia.

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Written by Brandon Elks

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On March 13, Brandon Lodge put on their first Brandon Elks/Boy Scouts clay shoot benefit to raise funds to help their dedicated Boy Scout Troup #627 attend their camp. There were 51 shooters, numerous “Brandon Boys” volunteers, lodge members and at least 12 Boy Scouts from Troop #627 who helped make this first benefit a wonderful success. Held at Fishhawk Sporting Clay’s, the event earned a net profit of $4,600 for the troop. With Boy Scout camp costing $350 per scout, the troop will now be able to sponsor numerous scouts to camp this year. Jim Randall, chairman, and Mark Vargo, co-chairman, have promised to hold the event next year as well.

Pictured is the No. 1 shooter, Lonnie Hatcher. Seated is the clay shoot safety guard.