Tampa Lodge had plans to celebrate Elks Youth Week with several activities at a local public elementary school using supplies that had been purchased with the 2019 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, but at the last minute, the Hillsborough County School Board restricted visitors to the schools again due to a sharp increase in COVID-19-related absences. With all the supplies already on hand, the Elks were thrilled to be able to pivot to a private school that employs one of the lodge’s officers. Sue Moore took the lead and set up an outdoor activity at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The Elks sponsored a free book fair May 5 for students in pre-k, kindergarten and first grade. The second graders each picked out a craft. Sue Moore and Shelagh Gombarcik picked up the car full of supplies Monday evening and Moore delivered them to the school Tuesday. Christien Elkins, Rita Smith and Tommy Moore arrived at the school the morning of the event and were greatly assisted by the Holy Trinity’s preschool administrator, Cathy Douglas, with setting up and organizing what the students would receive. The students came through in small groups as they were leaving church that morning and were excited to pick out a book. All leftover books and craft supplies were donated to the school for its summer camp program.
Pictured are Leading Knight, Rita Smith, and Tommy Moore, trustee.