West Central District

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Written by Rita Smith

On April 22, Club Chivalry, the high school group sponsored by Tampa Elks Lodge #708, formed a team and participated in the Relay For Life of Tampa, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society which was held on the Robinson football field. The American Cancer Society’s director, Tammy Schoonermaker, spoke about the event at a club meeting and gave out a T-shirt to each student who signed up. Club Chivalry members walked the track and one sophomore worked in the booth. Lodge members participated in planning and handling the booth. This year the lodge was a Bronze Sponsor and sold about 40 luminaires at $10 each. During the event, they sold sandwiches, chips and soda. Nina Carrol provided the specialty sandwiches and donated soda. Chris Miles, Jimmy Dreby and Cole Miles set up the booth. Robert Bordonaro and his family and Patty Volpe and Dean Wilson assisted with sales. Christien Elkins showed up at 11 to break the booth down and pack everything into a vehicle.

Pictured are the luminaires; Patty Volpe, Robert Bordonaro, and Dean Wilson at the booth; and Principal Bhoolai; Rita Smith, team captain and Exalted Ruler; and senior Brianna Sterns.

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Written by Rita Smith

On May 5 during Youth Week, the lodge honored Ismeny Ramirez, a Club Chivalry student at Robinson High School, as Teenager of the Year. She is a junior who is dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College, has a weighted grade-point average of 4.65, is president of the Spanish Club, and was just awarded Student of the Year in Business Technology.

Rita Smith, Exalted Ruler, is pictured presneting the award to Ismeny Ramirez.

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Written by Rita Smith

On April 26^th, Rita Smith, Exalted Ruler of Tampa Elks Lodge #708, attended an AFJROTC award night banquet for the Plant High School squadron. There were approximately 200 people in attendance, including cadets, parents and community leaders presenting awards. The cadet selected by the school to receive the Elks Award of JROTC Excellence was Cadet Sage Stark. Sage is a sophomore and has made significant contributions to the goals of the Plant High School AFJROTC by maintaining a 4.0 unweighted grade-point average while earning 65 service hours with the JROTC and 35 outside service hours. He is a member of five honor societies, including Kitty Hawk, and participates in multiple extracurricular activities. He is also an Eagle Scout from Troop 53 who held his Eagle ceremony at the lodge.

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Written by Rita Smith

Though several schools, scout troops and other youth groups were solicited, Tampa Lodge only received Drug Awareness poster contest entries from BridgePrep K-8 Academy. Seventeen posters were submitted from two grades. In lieu of participation certificates, Tommy Moore, Lodge Drug Awareness Chair, decided to treat the students to ice cream. They were released from class to have their snack outside. In addition, the lodge donated $100 to the school, which will be applied to their Black History Month budget shortfall.

Pictured March 24 is Tommy Moore delivering the ice cream and donation to Christine Harris, principal and lodge member. The students are pictured March 25 enjoying their reward.

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Written by Rita Smith

On Feb 26, Tampa Lodge hosted BSA Troop 22’s Eagle Court of Honor for Jason Binette. In attendance were approximately 60 scouts and family members. Frank Smith presented a certificate of honor from Moose Zi International, and George Hilficker, Tampa Lodge House Committee Chair, presented a certificate from the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Pictured is Jason Binette with his father, Dan Binette, Troop 22’s assistant scoutmaster.

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Written by Rita Smith

On March 23, Tampa Lodge donated the remaining $1,225 of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Camp Idlewild of Florida Inc. Part of these funds were applied to a water safety course. Because the camp has only been open a year, they have a lot of projects that still need funding, so the camp owner, Eileen Roach, indicated that the rest will be used to start a major item on their wish list — building a tepee near the entrance of the property. Camp Idlewild focuses on overnight camping for children with disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

Pictured are Eileen Roach, Camp Idlewild of Florida's founder, and Shannon Wheatley, lodge Beacon Grant project manager.