West Central District

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Written by Rita Smith, PER

The final event of the school year for the Tampa Lodge-sponsored Club Chivalry was the Relay for Life of Tampa, held April 28 at Robinson High Stadium. This is a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Club Chivalry had a team of 14 students and five Elks and Tampa Lodge is an event sponsor. This was their eighth year participating and one of the best. Lodge member Kristina Chowning was the event activity lead and member Becky Sullins was the survivor lead. Members Douglas Grant, Patty Volpe and Christien Elkins assisted with the setup and cleanup. The event began with a celebratory dinner open to all registered cancer survivors and caregivers. Three lodge members attended. Robert Bordonaro is a cancer survivor, and Susie Harlow and Bob Orcutt were caregivers. Bordonaro was treated to a lap around the track in a convertible, as the opening lap is always the survivor lap. After that, more than 1,000 attendees visited team booths, which all have something to sell, such as games, food and merchandise. The Club Chivalry activity was their famous Booty or Booby game. Patty Volpe took the front as the carnival hawker and Susie Harlow managed the treasure chest. There were 85 customers and all received a prize. By 9 p.m. the luminaries had been distributed and the lights went out. The team sold 18 luminaires and raised $2,008 for the American Cancer Society. The entire event raised $130,901 for the American Cancer Society. Rita Smith, PER, says, “It is truly a moving sight to walk a lap and see how many lives have been adversely touched by cancer.”

Pictured are Kristina Chowning, parade marshal and event lead, with survivor Robert Bordonaro.

Working at the booth are Patty Volpe and Susie Harlow.

The Robinson drum corp leads the survivor lap.

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Written by Rita Smith, PER

On May 3, Tampa Lodge presented the Teenager of the Year award to Brooke Brindise, in front of an audience that included her parents. Brindise is a sophomore at the Academy of the Holy Names. She is carrying a 3.5 GPA while taking all Advanced Placement classes. She is also on the varsity rowing team, which just qualified to compete in nationals. Most importantly, she has accumulated more than 100 community service hours this year, including working with the lodge to feed a hot Thanksgiving meal to those who are homeless and wrapping hundreds of Christmas presents during the lodge’s children’s Christmas party. She and her family also came to the lodge’s aid when they needed servers for their St. Patrick’s party and installation of officers.

Pictured are Edie Hanley, Loyal Knight, and Brooke Brindise.

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Written by Carol Lee Spages

On May 4, New Port Richey Lodge recognized International Firefighters’ Appreciation Day by donating trays of cookies with thank you messages to firefighters at New Port Richey Fire Stations 1 and 2.

Pictured at Fire Station 1 are Firefighter/Paramedic Corbin Mitchell, lodge member Elizabeth Groves, Captain Eric Slafky, PER Fred Spages and Firefighter/Paramedic Javier Espinales.

Pictured at Fire Station 2 are Firefighter/Paramedic Victoria Pitarresi, lodge member Elizabeth Groves, Captain Keith Bawer and PER Fred Spages.

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Written by Rita Smith

On April 26, Tampa Lodge Veterans Chair, José Rémon, presented the Elk medal, bar and certificate to Cadet Jaydaliz Cruz from Robinson High School JROTC. Cadet Cruz was selected for this award because of her proven leadership in academics, community service projects and maintaining the highest standards in all fields of endeavor. 

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Written by Carol Lee Spages

During March and April, New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284 collected numerous pieces of formal wear, shoes, jewelry and accessories and donated them to the Cinderella and Prince Charming Project. High school students who would not be able to afford to attend their prom because of the cost of the attire were invited to shop for their outfits at a local facility free of charge.

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Written by Rita Smith, PER

On April 13, Tampa Elks Lodge treated the Club Chivalry graduating seniors to a special luncheon at Fred’s Country Buffet. There were 21 students and three Elks in attendance. Before leaving, the Elks presented honor cords, which are worn during graduation, to the club officers, and Ms. Hand presented honor cords to the students who had been in her Avid class for four years.

 The group is pictured in front of the restaurant.