Southwest Central District

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Written by Tony Bonacum

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On Nov. 9, Lakeland Lodge presented their Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant of $2,000 as well as member donations of more than $1,100 to Senior Orphans of Polk County. Founded over 25 years ago, this program assists local, indigent seniors without family support and monthly incomes of $600 or less. Senior Orphans is 100% vol­unteer driven with no administrative costs. They accept donations such as personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and paper goods, and when a case manager contacts the program, they have immediate access to their clients’ needed supplies. The donations help thousands of needy seniors with their day-to-day living expenses. Seniors are screened through qualified agencies such as the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Polk Elderly Services or Peace River Association. Senior Orphans and the agen­cy case managers are careful to ensure that the neediest of the needy receive assistance.

Pictured at the donation presentation from Lakeland Lodge to Senior Orphans of Polk County are Beverly Corneilus, Senior Orphans coordinator; James Crosby, PER, Senior Orphans co-chair; Vicki Baker, Exalted Ruler; John Mathison, trustee chairman; Sher Thrush, trustee and Senior Orphans co-chair; Rick Burton, Leading Knight; Charlene Fisher, grant coordinator; and Carl Hutchcraft, member.

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Written by Ronna Mason

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Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 had a successful fundraiser for the lodge building fund Oct. 31 called Dogs Night Out which was open to the public. Many volunteers cooked and set up and got donations and prizes for the auction. Elks winners included Cheryl Thomas and Cookie who won best dressed couple and Bill Heaver’s dog, Billy, who won best dressed dog. The event raised $2,000.

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Written by Tony Bonacum

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During October, the Lakeland Boys and Girls Club of Lakeland received a donation of tickets to Disney. While this donation made it possible for children to visit the park, many of the boys and girls did not have the means to purchase food during their visit. Lakeland Lodge members donated money which was used to ensure that those children would be able to do so.

Lakeland Lodge members donated school supplies for Dixieland Elementary School in Lakeland. Lodge Youth Activities co-chairman, Alice Murray, was nominated as Dixieland's volunteer of the year for her teacher assistance in their kindergarten classes.

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Written by Tony Bonacum

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On Aug. 24, Lakeland Lodge #1291 held a shrimp and fish taco dinner to raise money for Elks National Foundation. Eighty members were in attendance for the meal. Through dinner sales and donations, the lodge raised $900. The shrimp and fish were donated and cooked by PER JC Crosby which greatly helped with the lodge's cost and allowed them to increase their donation to ENF. Member Alex Eisenberg donated his musical talents for entertainment.

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Written by Tony Bonacum

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On Friday, Oct. 12, Lakeland Lodge held their fourth annual Puttin’ on the Pink breast cancer awareness event. Everything at the lodge was about pink that night, even the lounge Elk. It was a night of celebration as survivors stood and were recognized, applauded and hugged. It was a night of support as the lodge acknowledged those fighting the fight. It was a night of tears as they remembered those lost to this illness.

The event was a great success thanks to lodge members and non-members participating. The event began with a prime rib dinner and pink desserts all prepared by their volunteer chef and members. They held a silent auction, T-shirt sales and basket raffles. Pink ribbons were sold which were hung all around the bar. Part of the entertainment was Carlos & Priscilla Roman who sang a very special version of “Imagine” by John Lennon which was adapted especially for this event. The guests were later entertained by some loving and good-natured men, the brotherhood of pinkness, who modeled the latest pink fashions and raisedmoney with their beauty and grace.

Pictured presenting the proceeds from Lakeland Lodge’s Puttin’ on the Pink breast cancer awareness event are members Alice Hutchcraft, member; Vicki Baker, Exalted Ruler; Sher Thrush, member; Eric Decker, Director of Philanthropy; Timothy Dench, Director of the Hollis Cancer Center; and Carl Hutchcraft, member, Dec. 3.