West Central District

Details

Written by Virginia Warfield

At the State President’s visit to the West Central District Sept. 14, St. Petersburg Lodge #1224 was awarded a first place $900 President's Grant after scoring highest among the district lodges for lodge procedures and tasks. The lodge will use this grant on their holiday food baskets project.

Pictured is State President Russ Smith presenting the President's Grant to Brian Haverfield, Exalted Ruler.

Details

Written by Largo Elks

On July 6, Largo Elks Lodge members Steve and Maureen Dunham volunteered to drive seven students from four local schools to the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla. The kids spent the week there, and the following weekend, the Dunhams drove back to pick them up. Most of these kids had never been to camp before, and they attended this year at no cost to them because of camp scholarships. They all had a great time and were excited to make new friends and they hope to return next year.

Pictured are several campers at Largo Lodge the day they left for camp.

Details

Written by Carol Lee Spages

On May 17, in honor of National Police Week, New Port Richey Lodge members presented the staff of the New Port Richey Police Department with a tray of cookies and a thank you card.

Pictured are Elizabeth Groves, Inner Guard and American Chair; Operation Lt. Chris Mellecker; and Pauline Moreno, lodge member.

Details

Written by Rita Smith, PER

On April 15, seven Tampa Elks were at Robinson High School for the final Club Chivalry meeting of the school year. They served pizza from Blackjacks and gave certificates to the sponsor and club officers and a special award for great attendance. Club members indicated that if given the option, they would join again next year. Some of their favorite things were the food, teambuilding exercises and they making friends. They finished the meeting with drawings for two gift cards.

Rita Smith, PER, project manager, presents certificates to Ms. Morman, sponsor; Jordon, club president; Miah, vice president; Markeria, public relations; and volunteers Betty Orcutt, Patricia Volpe, Shelagh Gombarcik, Bonnie Atwood, Tommy Moore, and Carolyn Miller.

Details

Written by Rita Smith, PER

At the Tampa Lodge’s March 25 Club Chivalry meeting, Edie Hanley, Loyal Knight, spoke about the Drug Awareness program. When the students were asked if they knew someone who had overdosed, at least 2/3 of them raised their hands. This was a topic they needed to hear more about, and Hanley’s experience working for the sheriff’s department was helpful. She also provided them with a Drug Awareness program bag with some information and a red ribbon. Also at the meeting was Elks National Foundation Legacy Scholar Lucas Dye, as scholars are required to do community service with a lodge at least once a year. He is a sophomore at the University of Tampa. He and PER Shelagh Gombarcik, Bonnie Atwood, Carolyn Miller and Patty Volpe hid 305 Easter eggs outside, though most were in plain sight. Ten golden eggs had a special prize of either a $10 gift card or an extra bag of candy.

Pictured are volunteers filling eggs; students listening to Edie Hanley’s Drug Awareness talk; and Lucas Dye, Bonnie Atwood, and a raffle winner.

Details

Written by Rita Smith, PER

On Feb. 1, Max Chowning was one of seven high school juniors to receive their delegate package for Boys State, the American Legion program for high school juniors entering their senior year. In June, the Legion buses them to Tallahassee to stay at the Florida State University campus and participate in a weeklong intensive citizenship training, in which they are each elected to a roll in government for a mythical state. They go to the state capitol and debate legislation they create. They cover all three branches — executive (governor), legislative (House and Senate) and judicial (a supreme court). Elk member Frank Smith is the Boys State Chair for American Legion Post 5. Tampa Lodge sponsored Chowning, paying for his $400 room and board. He has participated in many Elks service Projects, as some of his family members are lodge members.

Pictured at the American Legion Post 5 are Frank Smith; Rita Smith, PER; Max Chowning; and Wendy Hall, Exalted Ruler.