Florida Elks News Editor:
Rachael King
 
Entire contents copyright 2023 by the
Florida State Elks Association Inc.
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
352-669-9443

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1912 cardboard

For the last four years, Holiday Isles Elks Lodge #1912 has conducted an annual day of cardboard boat races. Sailors make waterproof cardboard boats, which they then get in to race. Twenty-two volunteer Elks and five non-Elks helped by selling tickets, T-shirts, and food and beverages; registering participants; helping them safely enter their cardboard boats; acting as emcees; and operating two motorboats in the water for safety patrol and sometimes pulling out disintegrated boats and their sailors. On July 3, 10 sailors participated in the race and most of them managed to make it back to the dock. The event netted $3,243.21 and approximately half of this was donated to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, which supports Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services and the Florida Elks Youth Camp. The remainder went to lodge expenses and the building fund to help with the damage from a storm.

Pictured is lodge member and cardboard boat race participant Richard DeBlasio.

 

1224 twins

Fourteen-year-old twins Tyler and Tanner attended their final Florida Elks Youth Camp summer camp session this summer; this year they attended a 14-day session. They have attended several previous years’ summer camp sessions as well. St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 and member Johnny Miller each sponsored a week’s attendance for each boy ($360 per week for both boys). The Ladies of Elks Auxiliary also donated $200 to assist with buying new clothing for summer camp. Tanner and Tyler were excited to attend the summer camp 2020 season for their last time at age 13, but that summer camp had to be canceled due to the pandemic, so they were allowed to attend this year at age 14. Pictured are Tyler and Tanner.

 

1224 rest

On June 17, St. Petersburg Lodge was given seven sets of bedding from the REST initiative of P.E.S.T. Relief International (Professionals Empowering, Sustaining and Transforming), a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2013 by Andrea Hancock. The bedding was donated to Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services to be distributed by the therapists to patients who need it most. The value of the bedding was $735. Each set included new pillowcases and sheets, a luxury baby blanket, and mattress encasements to provide a safe and sanitary place to sleep. The REST initiative entails providing clean bedding and pest control to shelters and orphanages. In 2004, Hancock started Mattress Safe Inc., a company that manufactures mattress covers. Pictured are Toni Goodrich, PDD, Lodge Secretary, and Hancock.

 

2284

New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284 celebrated Flag Day June 14 with a flag presentation, followed by a light lunch. Pictured are Barbara Rodgers, Exalted Ruler; Becky Soto, Secretary; Margaret Smith, Loyal Knight; Gloria Tyler, treasurer; and Lainey Krachtus, trustee.

 

1224 camper

St. Petersburg Lodge covered the $180 cost for 12 year-old Samuel Ramirez to attend the first week of summer camp at the Florida Elks Youth Camp. It was his second year of being sponsored by the lodge and was very excited to be attending again. He really enjoyed his time there and is already looking forward to going back next year. On June 20, Elks VAVS representative and lodge member, Johnny Miller, and his wife, Lucelly, drove Samuel, who happens to be Johnny’s nephew, to the camp. The Millers often transport campers, usually if they are their neighbors’ children, if the family doesn't have a car or if the parents are working. Lucelly Miller, Samuel Ramirez and VAVS Representative and lodge member Johnny Miller who drove Samuel Ramirez to FEYC.

 

1224 eagles

St. Petersburg Lodge donated the use of its lodge June 12 for an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony and celebration afterward for Jonathan and Sean Kirley, 19-year-old twin brothers. They are members of Troop 413 in Clearwater, Florida, who have been serving the youth of the greater Countryside area. They achieved their Eagle status under previous Scoutmaster David Hamilton Sr. The scouts began their scouting journey together, moving forward through the ranks and supported and encouraged each other. Each earned at least 21 merit badges or more and successfully completed a community, church or synagogue-related service project to earn his Eagle merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank. They also demonstrated scout spirit and leadership within their troop. Jon built four collaboration tables for Leila G. Davis Elementary School, and Sean relocated and rebuilt Ms. Wooly’s memorial at Leila G. Davis Elementary School. The Eagle Scout obligations were presented by Jared Kirley (their brother, Eagle Scout 2018) and Jonathan Basye (Eagle Scout 2014). In attendance were the troop’s scouts and their families, members of the local district and council, public officials, troop alumni, and adults who have had an impact on brothers’ lives. A reception followed the ceremony. Pictured are Jared, Sean and Jonathan Kirley and Scoutmaster Hamilton.