Brandon Lodge’s quarterly food and magazine drive-thru collection event took place June 19. With input before the event from past District Vice President Sharon Hammersla, member Robin Rutzke hosted the drop-off for members to bring their donations for the community. Rutzke reported that 28 members stopped by with donations and seven nonmembers brought donations. A total of 582 pounds of food valued at approximately $1,164 was later delivered by Hammersla and Rutzke to the Nativity Food Bank for distribution to the local food pantries in the area. The dedicated volunteers at the Nativity Food Bank (Past Brandon Ladies of Elks President Julie Ebert and lodge member Charlene Hart) are so grateful that the Brandon members support such a worthy cause. Nativity Food Bank is always beyond excited to receive “first-rate” food from this quarterly donation. The donated magazines are given to Kim Peatee, who works at Recreation Therapy at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. Peatee said that the magazines are so important because the patients in the hospital as well as her homebound patients enjoy reading them so much and it shows them that people do care about them and that they are not forgotten. The success of each quarterly drive-thru is the result of teamwork. Rutzke and Hammersla chair and hosts these quarterly events, while members such as Julie Ebert, Rick Weigand, Kathy Brogli and Beth Benham handle the advertising, gathering, delivering and distribution. Rutzke even recruited two of her teenage neighbors to volunteer from start to finish, greeting people and helping to unload and reload the items for delivery. Ethan McAlister, who is currently in high school, and his brother, Brodie McAlister, who is in middle school, enjoyed the opportunity to volunteer for such a worthy cause, practicing leadership and communication skills. Both are homeschooled and Ethan is working toward earning community service hours needed to apply for a Bright Futures scholarship. Their mother, Mari McAlister, said, “Thank you so much for having them. They haven’t stopped talking about it!” Maybe these boys are Elks in training! Rutzke and Hammersla send thanks to all those who contribute to this or any event put on by any Elks lodge, making such events successful.

Brodie McAlister, Ethan McAlister, and Leading Knight Marionette Sexton unload food donations from a donor’s trunk.

Members Kathy Brogli and Robin Rutzke and Brodie and Ethan McAlister show the numerous donations.

Brodie McAlister, Robin Rutzke, Kathy Brogli and Ethan McAlister display the generous magazine donations.

Delivery to Nativity Food Pantry is done by endorsed-DDGER Sharon Hammersla, Robin Rutzke and Past Brandon Ladies of Elks President Julie Ebert.