All 10 lodges of the South Southwest District participated in the Florida Elks’ Army of Hope picnic and silent auction fundraiser Feb. 26, which had approximately 100 attendees. The Florida Elks’ Army of Hope provides vital assistance to the families of deployed and injured U.S. service members. Bonita Springs-Estero Lodge #2753 donated their lodge building for this event. The district raised a total of $33,141.59, with Naples Lodge #2010 donating $10,000 from its charity fund and Punta Gorda Lodge #2606 donating $2,500. Punta Gorda members also provided food for the picnic and assembled six silent auction baskets, and eight members served food throughout the event.
Punta Gorda Lodge members hosted a songfest Feb. 27 for 36 residents at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Nursing Home. The karaoke-style event, led by PER Bill Jameson and five members, brought smiles, laughter and fond memories to everyone in attendance. Residents swayed, clapped and sang along to beloved classics. One resident, delighting in the familiar tunes, realized it was his own daughter serenading him with song after song.
Members of St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 delivered 14 Welcome Home Kits for veterans Feb. 11 to Veterans Village. This facility used to be the Old Town Motel on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. It has 22 units and serves as transitional or permanent housing, depending on each veteran’s needs. A lodge committee was formed to provide Welcome Home Kits. A basic kit was devised and wish lists were provided to personalize the kits.
Pictured are Brian Welliver, Exalted Ruler; Cathy Walsh, charity chair; Janet Barrett, Loyal Knight; Mary Cooke, Home Again St. Johns coordinator; Dale Bowers; Kevin Walsh; and Sarah McLevy, lodge grant coordinator.
During the 2024-2025 Elk year, the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Veterans Committee served four luncheons, serving 80 veterans at Veterans Village in Bradenton. They also supplied a new laptop, refrigerator, furniture, and multiple supplies such as sheets, pillows, comforters, blankets, bed frames, and cleaning supplies for veterans transitioning into permanent housing. Funds were used from a $10,000 Focus Grant and a $1,000 Freedom Grant, both from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission. Tom Sweeney, Lodge Veterans Chair, maintains constant communication with the administrators to see what is most needed for veterans transitioning to permanent housing.
Between Dec. 23 and Jan. 5, Gainesville Elks Lodge #990 member Linda Califf and Jerry Blanton, a volunteer Army veteran, delivered Welcome Home Kits to seven veterans using the Elks National Veterans Service Commission kit reimbursement program. More than 70 veterans have been served since April 2024. The lodge submits reimbursement requests almost weekly to the ENVSC. It is an ongoing project that the lodge is very proud to be involved with and the veterans served are so grateful. The lodge works with the local HUDVash VA organization and the Honor Center to receive referrals of unhoused veterans moving into independent living.
Pictured are veteran Scott Starling in his home receiving his items and Navy veteran Cory Matchett with his items.
On Jan. 25, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 hosted the second round of the fifth annual Elks Olympics between the Lakeland, Plant City and Brandon lodges. Members from each lodge competed in a dart tournament, horseshoe tournament, chicken wing cook-off and a best brownie competition. The 50/50 raised $115 for veterans.
Pictured playing darts is John Hedrick, Lakeland Treasurer. A member from Brandon Lodge is pictured playing horseshoes.
On Jan. 22, Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 donated $500 to Chad's Promise, a 501c3 organization based in Plant City. When a veteran with health problems needs to go into the hospital, they will resist, at the risk of their own life, because they fear they will have to give up their dog — their best friend, companion and lifeline — and never get them back. Chad's Promise boards these dogs for free and returns them when the veterans can leave the hospital. The organization also has transport services. Many veterans have credited their dog for saving them.
Pictured are Chad Landry and Judy Wise, Exalted Ruler.
On Dec. 24, St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 donated three Blu-ray DVD players to the Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home for use in their activity room. The lodge also provided items for a New Year’s Eve party, including a 2025 banner, sparkling grape juice, hats, tiaras, noisemakers and fancy glasses.
Pictured in the front row are residents John Ford, Theresa Lewis, Brad Stlas and Vincent Erato. In the second row are Brian Welliver, Exalted Ruler; Janet Barrett, Loyal Knight; and Randy Cook, PER, Leading Knight.
On Dec. 23, Pensacola Beach Elks shared their time, fellowship and holiday spirit with several forgotten warriors who reside at The Blake, an assisted living facility in Pensacola. The Elks provided Christmas gifts of personal hygiene and health care products.
Pictured are John Farill, Navy Korea veteran; Santa (Ken Branch, District Vice President); elf Wayne Levchik, PER; and World War II Army veteran Charles Ramsey.
West Palm Beach Lodge purchased 80 $25 gift cards, totaling $2,000, which were given to veterans Dec. 23 who were housed at WPB VA Hospital for Christmas. The cards were purchased by members’ donations in canteen cans throughout the lodge.
Pictured are member Carmen Santoro Jr.; Jose Lopez Velazquez, asst. canteen chief; PDD Ed Morey Jr. and PER Elaine Maes-Morey.
With 140 players, 50 hole sponsors and seven corporate sponsors, Sanford Elks’ second annual Swing 4 Veterans golf tournament Oct. 5 at Mayfair Country Club raised more than $16,000 for lodge veteran projects. After the tournament, the lodge hosted the players for lunch and giveaways.
Pictured are Jeff Rumler, PDD and Donald Soderblom, Veterans Chair.
On Dec. 16, Sanford Lodge members Clint and Jody Earley with their daughter, Jillian, delivered lunch, which was supplied by the lodge, to the Florida National Guard Co B.