West Central District

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Written by May Graci

On March 29th, St. Petersburg Lodge held a drug awareness discussion with Boy Scout Troop 209, which included Al Literski, Loyal Knight, and Jan Giallourakis, lodge member and Ladies of Elks Auxiliary President. Having a conversation about drug abuse with children and teenagers can seem scary at first, but as long as everyone involved is nonjudgmental, honest and supportive, the conversation can be productive and beneficial. Each scout also received a drug awareness program bag, which included a red ribbon, several drug awareness pamphlets and two drug awareness themed coloring books. Pictured are Giallourakis and Literski with the scouts.

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Written by Rita Smith

Also on March 29, Tampa Lodge used $629.26 of their earned charity funds to provide a 65’’ TV and portable stand to Grady Elementary School. It will be utilized by office staff for Zoom meetings and other events. The portability of the stand, which was assembled by Elks, makes this a versatile gift that can also be used in a classroom or assembly. Pictured are Nicole Dreby, teacher; Mike Campbell, principal; Alexander Dreby; and Bonnie Atwood, member; Jim Dreby, member; and Chris Miles, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by May Graci

On March 16, St. Petersburg Lodge donated the use of it pool to the Police Athletic League (PAL), which provides mentoring, meals, academics and sports to at-risk youth. The lodge waived its pool fees for non-members/large groups and donated a case of cold water to PAL. With the support of donors such as the lodge and volunteers, PAL strives to build connections and change young people’s lives. PAL serves youth between 5 and 18 years of age. A total of 35 youth enjoyed using the lodge pool.

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Written by Rita Smith

On March 29, Tampa Lodge donated $300 to the Police Benevolent Association on behalf of the family of Tampa’s fallen Master Police Officer Jesse Madsen. Tampa Lodge also posted condolences on their large sign on the busy Gandy Boulevard. Officer Madsen was killed in the line of duty while trying to stop a driver going the wrong way on Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida. “He served in the Marine Corps. He served overseas. He’s a decorated combat veteran. He also served in the Florida National Guard. He served with three police units, until he settled here at the Tampa Police Department. So service was nothing new to him,” said Danny Alvarez with the Police Benevolent Association. He is survived by his spouse and three children. Officer Madsen’s badge, number 507, will be retired and his name will be etched into the Tampa Police Fallen Officers Memorial.

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Written by May Graci

St. Petersburg Lodge volunteers led by Todd Dourm, Penny Rase, Debbie Rase and Karen Purser raised $3,568 to donate to the family of fallen Pinellas County Deputy Michael Magli. Deputy Magli lost his life in the line of duty Feb. 17 after being struck by a fleeing driver. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and two young daughters. He was born in Ozone Park, New York, and came to the Tampa Bay area in 1994. Initially hired as a part-time criminal justice specialist, Deputy Magli transferred to a deputy recruit position and was assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau in 2014. He served eight years with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The donation was presented to the Magli family March 16 at a fundraiser held by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department at the Belleair Pelican Golf Club.

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Written by Rita Smith

On Feb. 24, Tampa Lodge partnered with private charter school Bridgeprep K-12 to hold a family literacy night. Florida State Elks Association-matched funds of their Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant were used for this project. Author David Green was hired to bring his children’s comic books and read them to the students. The event took part in two phases. At 3 p.m., all the middle school students were issued books and then they spread out on the lawn to read along with the author. They also received posters, bookmarks and autographs. At 4 p.m., the elementary school families were invited to attend for a similar safe outdoor event. Twenty-eight families attended with the students. The students in the after-school program also attended and received a book and participated in the reading. They also received a poster and bookmark from the author as well as a Drug Awareness bookmark. Green gave autographs as requested. The Elks even had cardboard picture books for the toddlers who came with their families. The Elks’ participation included the purchase of all the books and supplies, the refreshments and the volunteers to make it all come together. Shelagh Gombarcik, PER; Laura Jones, treasurer; Bonnie Atwood; Patty Volpe; Richelle Nickle; Mike Volpe; and Christien Elkins gave up their afternoon to help these children develop a love of reading. Elk Christine Harris is the principal at Bridgeprep, and she along with Suzanne Mizzi, assistant principal, made sure everything went smoothly. Pictured are Shelagh Gombarcik, PER; David Green, author; and Laura Jones, treasurer. David Green signs an autograph for a middle school student. Green hands out his books to the after-school students. Mike Volpe, Patty Volpe, Christien Elkins and Richelle Nickle are on the refreshment team. Students are gathered for the reading.