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P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Inverness Elks Furnish Homes of Veterans Transitioning from Homelessness
- Details
- Written by Inverness Elks
Utilizing the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, Inverness Elks Lodge #2522 helped four veterans feel welcome as they transitioned from a state of homelessness to their own home. Veterans Chairperson, Mike Orndorff, with the assistance of Juanita Emrich and other lodge members acquired home supplies, personal hygiene items, furniture, and furnishings through purchases and donations. Three of the veterans started with little or nothing; now they all have furnished homes.
On Dec. 27, lodge member Juanita Emrich and Veterans chairperson Mike Orndorff (taking photo) deliver items to veteran Ricky Minzer, a disabled Marine, and his caregiver, Tina.
On Jan. 10, Ken Kolessar, a disabled Korean War Navy veteran, receives household products and a toaster oven delivered by Mike Orndorff, Veterans Chairperson.
On Feb. 11, lodge members Mike Orndorff, Juanita Emrich and Mike Pombier deliver household furnishings to Army veteran Jeff Chessman.
On Feb. 13, Veterans Chairperson Mike Orndorff shakes the hand of Mike Harris, a disabled Gulf War Army veteran, during the first of several deliveries of household items and donated furniture. Lodge member Juanita Emrich was also at the delivery.
Vero Beach Lodge Has a Heart for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Nancy Seeley
On Feb. 14, Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774 hosted the Have a Heart for Veterans second annual charity Mah Jongg game and raised $4,500. The event was open to the public and there were 90 players who each paid $50 to participate. The event had several corporate sponsors and individual donors as well. The check was presented Feb. 22 to members of the Vietnam Veterans of Indian River County. The funds will be used to help furnish new homes for veterans who were homeless. Pictured are Victor Diaz and Tim Nightingale from the veterans organization; Paul Diaz, PER, Exalted Ruler; and Karen Guidry, co-chairperson.
More Veterans Receive Home Furnishings from Zephyrhills Lodge
- Details
- Written by Zephyrhills Elks
From Jan. 30 to Feb. 14, Zephyrhills Lodge furnished homes for eight more veterans who have transitioned to independent living – Kenneth Golston, Kevin Hodge, Victor Pitsenbarger, Ronald Taylor, Sandy Johnson, Michael Dye, Carlton Smith and Annie Diles. Provided items included microwaves, televisions, antennas, dining tables and chairs, dressers, lamps, coffee makers, pots and pans, dishes, cups, glasses, silverware, bath towels, kitchen towels, linens, blankets, sofa, recliner, and shower curtains and rods.
Aripeka Lodge Supports Local Veterans Program
- Details
- Written by Aripeka Elks
Aripeka Elks Lodge #2520 continues to support the local veterans’ Steps to Recovery program. On Jan. 6, the lodge delivered a truckload of clothing and hygiene items. Pictured are member Lucille Joy and Ken Clark of Steps to Recovery with one month's donations.
Holley-Navarre Elks Donate Additional Home Kits to Veterans
- Details
- Written by Skip DalleMolle
Utilizing the Elks National Foundation Impact Grant, Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge #2787 has been working with the local Veterans Affairs office to provide home kits for veterans who are moving into an apartment. On Feb. 20, the lodge made its second contribution (five kits). Their donations now total 15 kits at $3,000. Kits include an 83-piece kitchen essentials set (pots, pans, storage, plates, eating and cooking utensils, etc.) along with a vacuum, cleaning supplies and coffee maker. Boxes also include a listing of all Elks lodges in the district. Pictured loading the boxes are Thomas "TJ" Carey, Charles Mussari and Ben Gray.
Zephyrhills Lodge Donates Handmade Blankets to Veterans Nursing Home
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On Jan. 24, Zephyrhills Lodge presented 45 blankets to the veterans at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home made by the lodge’s group known as the Happy Hookers. Yarn is donated to the Veterans Committee and the women spend hours making these quilts. Pictured are Dee Mauro, lodge member; Joanna Snee, Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home Activities Director; and Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chairman.
31st Veteran Receives Home Furnishings from Zephyrhills Lodge
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
Zephyrhills Lodge helped its 31st veteran, Joseph Booker, Jan. 20 as he begins life in his own home. He was given a television, microwave, dining table and chairs, dresser, lamps, coffee maker, coffee, pots, pans, dishes, cups, glasses, silverware, bath towels, kitchen towels, linens, pillows, blankets, and two recliners. Pictured are Bryan Fox, volunteer; Steve Czerneski, member; Booker; and Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chairman.
St. Petersburg Lodge Donates to Marine Corps League Detachment 57
- Details
- Written by May Graci
St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 donated $250 to Marine Corps League Detachment 57. The lodge was one of the sponsors of the MCLD 57 annual West Coast National Veterans Salute Benefit car and truck show that was held Nov. 23 at the St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus. The car show was open to all makes and models. Judging began at 11 a.m. and awards were presented at 2 p.m. There were two best of show awards in 39 classes plus 25 overall best of shows. The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of all Marines and Navy FMF Corpsmen. Detachment 57 provides short-term financial assistance on an emergency “as needed” basis to veterans.
Zephyrhills Lodge Furnishes 30th Veteran's Home
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On Jan. 16, Zephyrhills Lodge gifted home furnishings to a 30th veteran, John Jackson, as he moved into his own home. They included a microwave, television, antenna, dining table with four chairs, dresser, lamps, coffee maker, pots, pans, dishes, cups, glasses, flatware, bath towels, kitchen towels, shower rod, shower curtain, sofa bed and recliner. Pictured are Mike Kelley, Tampa Crossroads veterans’ case worker; Jackson; PER Ken Fabiani, Lodge Veterans Chairman; and Tom Pete and Shirley and Richard LeClair, members.
Plant City Lodge Presents Army of Hope Donation
- Details
- Written by Judy Wise
On Jan. 8, Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 presented Adam Marasco a check for $1,500 from the Florida Elks Army of Hope program. This will help him attend a summer program that will prepare him for a career in medicine. His father is 1st Sgt. Patrick Marasco who served 23 years and did three tours in the Middle East. His mother, Deann Marasco, was a family readiness coordinator for 15 years. Pictured with Adam is Judy Wise, District Veterans Services Chairman.
Zephyrhills Lodge Furnishes Home for 29th Veteran
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
On Jan. 11, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 furnished the home of Glenn Ranger, one of the many veterans moving out on their own to start a new life. He received a microwave, television, antenna, dining table, four chairs, dresser, lamps, coffee maker, coffee, pots, pans, dishes, cups, glasses, silverware, bath towels, kitchen towels, shower rod, shower curtain, linens, pillows, blankets, sofa and recliner. Pictured are Mike Hanley whose home was previously furnished by the lodge; Steve Czerneski, member; Ranger; and Ken Fabiani, PER, lodge Veterans chairman. Not pictured is Tom Pete, member.
Brandon Elks and Ladies Take Gifts to Veterans Hospital
- Details
- Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER
On Jan. 3, a group of Brandon Elks, Past Exalted Rulers, Ladies of Elks and visiting Elks spent the morning with veterans of the spinal cord unit of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. The visit showed them that they are never forgotten. Bags of gifts were given to each veteran, and cookies and treats were left at each nurse’s station to let them know how much their service to the veterans is appreciated. The event was planned by Lodge Veterans Chairman, Robin Rutzke, right, who is retired from the Air Force, and Vice President of the Brandon Ladies of Elks, Millie Marrero, left. With them is Orion N. Geib, spinal cord injury unit administrator.
Tammy Riley, member; Sharon Hammersla, PER; Robin Rutzke, Veterans chairman; Millie Marrero, Ladies Vice President; Charlene Hart, Ladies member; Grace Weigand, Ladies member; Julie Ebert, Ladies member; Mary Lou Scribner, PER; and Richard Clark of Seattle Lodge #92