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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Aripeka Elks Provide Thanksgiving Dinners to those in Need
- Details
- Written by Aripeka Elks
On Nov. 23, Aripeka Elks Lodge #2520 cooked and delivered 20 turkeys with mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing to Moon Lake Mission, an organization that provides many services for those experiencing homelessness or for those with low incomes in the Moon Lake area. Lodge members donated the food.
Pictured are Charlie Smith, trustee; Chuck Anderson, Leading Knight; Sharon Anderson, Inner Guard; and Lucille Joy, Lecturing Knight.
Aripeka Elks Lodge Serves Dinner to 70 Veterans
- Details
- Written by Aripeka Elks
On Nov. 11 at the Veterans Day ceremony, Aripeka Elks Lodge #2520 provided a pork roast dinner to 70 veterans and their spouses. This dinner was presented by Vietnam veteran and lodge member, John Gudavich, PDD, and was funded by the Veterans Committee.
Gudavich is pictured on the right.
Deep Creek Elks Host Veterans to Luncheon and Celebrate Veteran's 101st Birthday
- Details
- Written by Peggie Sue Dygert
On Oct. 19, Deep Creek Elks Lodge #2763 invited veterans from Douglas Jacobson VA Nursing Home to have lunch and play bingo at the lodge. The lodge does this monthly for veterans and uses the charity account to pay for the lunches. On this occasion, Anna Wojalik visited the lodge. She served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She turned 101 Sept. 29. Lodge members enjoyed hearing her stories.
Pictured are Anna Wojalik and Peggie Sue Dygert, Leading Knight and Lodge Veterans Chair. Behind them is a veteran whose name was unavailable.
Sebastian Elks Provide Welcome Home Kit to Veteran Transitioning to New Home
- Details
- Written by Sebastian Elks
In November, Sebastian Lodge provided a Welcome Home Kit to Keith, a veteran transitioning to his own home. He and his puppy, Peanut, were grateful for the kit and are now comfortable and happy residing in their new home.
Key West Elks Members Donate Socks to Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Key West Elks
Key West Elks Lodge #551 donated 16 packs of socks from lodge member donations to local veterans for Christmas. The veterans were happy to receive the two baskets full of socks and placed them under their Christmas tree.
Pictured are Bebe Clark, Tiler; Donald Abbate, veteran; Sean Floyd, maintenance manager; and George Cabanas Jr., trustee.
Miami Elks Lodge Donates Needed Items to HUD-VASH & Homeless Programs
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- Written by Miami Elks
On Nov. 24 after being contacted by La’Shon F. Black, administrator at HUD-VASH & Homeless Programs in Miami, Miami Lodge used part of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to donate toiletries, socks, underwear and gift cards to those who need them the most.
Pictured are Sharon Weiss, lodge member; Bill Bang, PER, Exalted Ruler; Fred Jaca, PDD, District Deputy; a staff member from HUD-VASH & Homeless Programs; and Jennene Ricard, lodge member.
Miami Elks Donate Gift Cards to VA PTSD Centers
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- Written by Miami Elks
Miami Lodge coordinated with Irvin Flores, administrator at the VA PTSD Centers, and used Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant funds to donate gift cards to the centers. Pictured Nov. 14 are lodge members Jennene Ricard; Sharon Weiss; and Bill Bang, Exalted Ruler.
Local Veterans Enjoy Christmas Luncheon at Sebring Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
On Dec. 14, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 invited veterans from local nursing homes The Palms and St. Camillus Post-Acute and Rehabilitation Center and veteran members to the lodge for a Christmas luncheon. The kitchen staff provided a traditional meal with turkey and side dishes as well as dessert. Patrick Sullivan dressed as Santa talked to veterans and gave out gifts, and Brenda Richards and Gwen Clark were the hostesses. Buddy Richards provided the music, designating all the military branches. Including family, friends, veterans and their caregivers, there were 21 guests in attendance.
Pictured with Santa are guests from The Palms.
Tampa Elks Veterans Committee Hosts Veterans for Dinner
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
On Nov. 19, Tampa Lodge hosted Pastor Tom (back left, standing) and veterans from New Beginnings, a housing and rehab facility in Tampa, Florida, for veterans experiencing homelessness. Funds from the Lodge Veterans Committee paid for the meals. Pictured with the veterans are Debbie Brennon (front left), committee secretary; José Remon (back center, standing), committee chair; and Evelyn Hemingway, committee member.
Veterans Receive Welcome Home Kits from Grateful Gainesville Elks
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- Written by Linda Califf and Dayna Miller
On Nov. 22, Gainesville Lodge hosted several veterans and their social workers for an appreciation luncheon. The veterans received Welcome Home kits, which are intended to serve veterans who are exiting homelessness and entering permanent housing. The kits included linens and bedding items, dishes, pots, pans, towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies, laundry baskets and detergent, mops, brooms, dustpans, and a wide variety of other items. Seven veterans were chosen by their social workers to participate in the program and provided the lodge with specific wish lists to meet their immediate needs. Requests ranged from dishes and silverware, shower curtains, and washcloths to chairs, couches and beds. The lodge worked with local furniture company Walker Furniture, who donated several pieces of furniture for the veterans, and additional items were donated by lodge members. The lodge also utilized the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kits program. All items were delivered to the veterans at their new homes by Elks volunteers. The veterans were extremely grateful, but the Elks were more grateful for their service. The event was featured on a local news channel.
Pictured are a social worker whose name was unavailable, veteran Peter Jones, veteran Lisette Orelleno Rolon, social workers Susanne Fischer-Martinez and Sue Lassin, veteran Dean Herman, and Elks Lynne Meyers and Linda Califf. Also pictured is a selection of items for the veterans.
Sanford Elks Hold Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Army of Hope
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- Written by Cristin Rumler
On Nov. 28, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 hosted a Spaghetti for Soldiers fundraiser to benefit the Army of Hope, the Florida Elks project that assists active-duty military members and veterans and their families. The event was open to the public and had a great turnout. In total, the lodge raised $1,321.
Pictured are lodge members enjoying the homemade spaghetti.
Tampa Elks Give Boost to American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Fund for Veterans
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- Written by Rita Smith
For the last several years, Tampa Elks Lodge member Shelagh Gombarcik, PER has partnered with Pat Pastore, the Poppy Chair from American Legion Auxiliary Unit 139. The auxiliary provides perfume baskets to use in the fundraising. Anyone who donated to the Poppy Fund received their poppy as well as a raffle ticket for the perfume baskets. The drawing took place Veterans Day; Tracy Horrell, PER and House Committee member Kim Benzing won the baskets. This year, Gombarcik raised $735 for the American Legion Poppy Fund. By Legion rules, this fund is only for veterans, active-duty military members and their families.
Pictured are Jacquie LoCicero, Tampa Ladies of the Elks President; Shelagh Gombarcik, PER; Pat Pastore, Poppy Chair; and Dee Wilson, American Legion Unit 139 President.