Southwest Central District

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Written by Brandon Elks

Using the $5,000 from their Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and matching state funds, Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 gifted Burnett Middle School a much-needed and appreciated audio system for the school as well as civics test preparation software. Teacher Matthew Kiati had been bringing in his equipment from home for special events. The staff is overjoyed with the assistance and new community partnership and the students were happily surprised when the new system was used for a dance a few days after the presentation Dec. 10.

Pictured are (front) assistant principals Stacey Schbarbarum and Terrella Brooks; principal, Valerie Newton; teacher Matthew Kiati; and media specialist, Rosie Alfonso. In the middle are Past Exalted Rulers Christine Vogel, Sharon Hammersla and Mary Lou Scribner. At the top is District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler George Scribner.

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Written by Lakeland Elks

On Oct. 11, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 hosted its fifth annual Puttin’ on the Pink breast cancer fundraiser. Sher Thrush chaired the event. A record number of tickets were sold out weeks in advance and they raised a record amount for Hollis Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Center – more than $12,000. The planning of the event is a yearlong process; the first planning meeting included 25 lodge members and the number of participants grew with each meeting. The evening consisted of dinner; entertainment by Carlos & Company; basket sales; a 50/50 drawing; a silent auction; and the sale of pink ribbons, T-shirts, and pink poinsettias. The hall and parking lot were decked out in pink. In attendance were cancer survivors and fighters who stood up to be acknowledged, supported and applauded. Committee members obtained donations, sold tickets, helped set up and tear down, handled the dinner, participated in the brotherhood of pinkness fashion show, and helped with the entertainment.

Lodge members (mostly from Lakeland Lodge but several from other lodges) Ray Stepson, Carl Hutchcraft, Alex Miller, Bob Fuschetti, Jeff Morse, Gerry Deig, Greg Williams, Kenny McCoy, Ron Sullivan, Ricky Mercer, Brant Tuman, Sean Love-Appling and Robbie McNally participate in the brotherhood of pinkness fashion show Oct. 11 at Lakeland Lodge’s Puttin’ on the Pink breast cancer fundraiser.

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Written by Mary Kay Burns

Arcadia Elks Lodge #1524 is doing their part to encourage Florida’s DeSoto County youth to read – one quarter at a time. On Aug. 24, the Elks partnered with the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County, the DeSoto County School District, the U.S. Census Bureau, All Faiths Food Bank, and the Boys and Girls Club to offer a morning of free loads of laundry, storytelling and resources at the Supermatt Laundry located on Hickory Street in Arcadia, Fla. Over 250 loads of laundry were washed and dried at no cost to them while children read or enjoyed stories being read to them. They also took part in various activities provided by the DeSoto tutoring bus and bookmobile. This event was made possible with an Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and the help of Mary Kay Burns, FDOH DeSoto Administrator and Elks lodge officer who is dedicated to making an impact in the reading levels of DeSoto County youth and improving the health and well-being of DeSoto County residents.

Pictured at the Arcadia Elks’ Suds ‘n’ Stories event Aug. 24 at the Supermatt Laundry are Heather Smith, lodge member and Health Department; Jackie Hughes, Exalted Ruler; Cynthia Scott, Health Department; Penny Pringle, lodge member and Health Department; Nancy Higginbotham, lodge member; and Odella Rivas, All Faiths Food Bank.

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Written by Ronna Mason

For the sixth year, Sebring Lodge has used the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to sponsor the Highlands Little Theatre summer camp. This year there were 86 children from the fourth through 12th grades participating. The camp was for four weeks, Monday through Friday for three hours a day. Ages 11-18 were at camp for four weeks and ages 8-10 attended the last week. From June 27-29, they participated in a play called “Seussical Jr.” The directors, Tracy Schuknecht, Laura Wade and Christi Hagen, teach them “to appreciate the arts, grow in personal confidence, develop effective communication skills, become problem solvers, and to collaborate well with others.” Lodge members Jim Mason and George Quel presented the $2,500 check, and Quel explained that the Elks order was started in 1867 by eight theatrical men led by Charles Vivian from England and called themselves the Jolly Corks. In 1868 the name was changed to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Jim Mason, left, and George Quel, right, present Sebring Lodge’s Beacon Grant to the Highlands Little Theatre summer camp.

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Written by Marge Holbrook

Lake Placid Elks Lodge #2661 used the $1,500 Elks National Foundation Anniversary Grant to provide several car seats to those in need of financial help in their community. Members partnered with the Lake Placid Police Department who contacted these families. As the families received their car seats, lodge members obtained contact information of the families to be kept at the police department in case of any recalls. Members assisted the technicians as they showed them the proper way to install the seats.

Lake Placid PD’s Officer Mostyn Mullins helps install car seats for community members that were purchased using Lake Placid Lodge’s Anniversary Grant. Pictured with him is a recipient of a car seat.