Florida Elks News Editor:
Rachael King
 
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Florida State Elks Association Inc.
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
352-669-9443

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On Sept. 21, Sebring Elks Lodge #1529 used funds available to them from the Florida State Elks’ Army of Hope program to help a local veteran. Through the lodge’s association with the Highlands County Veterans Services and the Veterans Council of Highlands County, they helped this veteran by paying part of his past-due electric bill so the electricity wouldn’t be shut off. Along with the $350, the lodge sent a $1,400 check from the charity account to Duke Energy, which they later requested to be reimbursed by the Army of Hope.

 

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On Sept. 11, Fort Pierce Lodge members donated snacks and puzzle books worth $792 to West Palm Beach Veterans Services.

Pictured are Laurie Torres, volunteer service specialist; Paulette Blockson, RN; and Rodney Dally, PER, Veterans Chair.

 

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On Sept. 19, Fort Pierce Lodge made its monthly delivery to the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home. Rodney Dally, PER, Veterans Chair, is pictured with Sherida Ayers, therapy aid and supervisor. The donations from members were approximately $470 in value and included snacks, games and books.

 

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On Aug. 18, Fort Pierce Lodge donated and delivered used clothing and shoes valued at approximately $360 to Angels of Hope in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Pictured are David Long, owner, and Rodney Dally, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair.

 

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On Sept. 2, St. Augustine Lodge members Kevin and Cathy Walsh met Amanda Mills of Five Star Veterans Center at the Epic-Cure warehouse to donate items for ENVSC Welcome Home Kits for two veterans who were transferring to permanent housing. Epic-Cure’s mission is to prevent discarding of items that can be used to fight hunger and poverty. They partner with the Steven Cohen Military Clinic and the Five Star Veterans Center to provide cooking lessons to veterans.

 

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On July 19, St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 donated $2,000 to Epic-Cure Inc., whose mission is to eliminate food waste; rescue food to help eliminate hunger; and teach life skills to seniors, students and veterans. The donation was used to purchase knives for veterans for personal use and for new kitchen items for veterans transitioning into housing.

Pictured is lodge member Maria Crann giving a cooking demonstration at Epic-Cure.

 

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On Sept. 12, the Veterans Committee of Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge donated supplies and canned goods to Veterans Village to assist in the transitioning of veterans to permanent housing.

Pictured are Sylvia Imer, director, and veteran Dennis Bellow.

 

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On Aug. 14, Fort Pierce Lodge delivered snacks, games and more to the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home, at a total value of $435 donated by members. 

Pictured are Beverly Dally, Lodge Veterans Co-chair, and Valerio DaSilva, nursing assistant/activities.

 

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Twin Cities Elks Lodge #2747 donated its $1,000 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to the Eglin Air Force Base Fisher House. The Fisher House provides lodging, at no cost, for families of veterans receiving medical care at the Eglin AFB Hospital. The funds will be used for housing costs, including bedding, toiletries and air travel, for families who have a military service member or military dependent in the Eglin Hospital. Usually, these patients are long-term care patients.

Pictured are Robert Campbell, Fisher House manager, and Don Dowdy, Exalted Ruler.

 

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On Aug. 31, Donald Soderblom, Sanford Lodge Veterans Chair, delivered various planters with water saucers and potting soil, which were donated by the lodge, to the Lake Baldwin VA HUD-VASH. The items were donated to prevent a recently homeless veteran from being in breach of their lease with possible eviction for having their plants outside. The supplies donated will allow the veteran to move their plants inside their home.

Pictured is David Madeux, voluntary service specialist at the VA, with the potting supplies.

 

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On July 13, Port St. Lucie Elks Lodge #2658 received a certificate of appreciation for its donation of $610, raised by Lodge Veterans Co-chair, Kathy Borrelli, to benefit the veterans of the Navy Seabees. The lodge collects funds for veterans in tin cans that are placed on tabletops. The funds were used to purchase food gift cards.

Pictured are Harry Fava, Veterans Co-chair; Paul Wilson, Commander of the Seabees Veterans of America Island X-10; Tom Randazzo, Exalted Ruler; and Kathy Borrelli, Veterans Co-chair.

 

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Using the $3,000 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 hosted a game day July 16 for veterans from the Lake Baldwin VA Domiciliary in Orlando, Florida. Veterans enjoyed a full-service homecooked meal and a game of bingo with members.

Pictured are lodge volunteers; veterans playing bingo; and Kathy Soderblom, spouse, and Jeff Rumler, PDD, plating meals.