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P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
St. Petersburg Elks Participate in Bay Pines Veteran Stand Down
- Details
- Written by Virginia Warfield
On April 6, St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 was one of more than 70 exhibitors with services and giveaways at the Bay Pines annual Veteran Stand Down for those who are homeless or at risk. Using funds from an Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, the lodge purchased and distributed more than 200 pairs of new shoes, belts and socks. Volunteers also gave out backpacks and a substantial amount of men's and women's clothing and shoes donated by members. The veterans who attended the event were extremely grateful for everything.
Pictured are volunteers Gene Berry, VAVS Deputy Representative; Ruth Green; Heidi Green, PER; John Gillis, VAVS Deputy Representative; and lodge members Jan and Linda Musgrave.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Present Quilt of Valor
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On March 23, the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Veterans Committee awarded Sean Brown a quilt from Quilts of Valor for his continued service of uniting veterans touched by war with highly skilled service dogs bred and trained at Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Pictured are Sean Brown; Tom Sweeney, Veterans Chair; and Sean's service dog, Nick.
Jacksonville Elks Deliver Tenth Welcome Home Kit to Veteran
- Details
- Written by Karen Tracy
On Feb. 19, Jacksonville Lodge delivered its 10th Welcome Home Kit to U.S. Navy veteran ‘Tez.’ Having spent most of his time with the Navy on ships, life events after he left the service found him seeking assistance with the Five Star Veterans Center. His hard work with their program guided him to transitioning into his own apartment and enrolling in college, where he is studying environmental science. Along with needed household items, the lodge provided a bed frame, end table and sectional couch from donations from members, as well as some short-term food needs.
Pictured are John Pipkins, trustee; veteran Tez; and David Graham, Exalted Ruler.
Port Orange Elks Donate and Deliver Supplies to Emory Bennett Veterans Nursing Home
- Details
- Written by Frank Kuczkowski
On March 22, Port Orange Elks Lodge #2723 used $2,500 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to purchase supplies for the Emory Bennett Veterans Nursing Home in Daytona Beach. Items included personal hygiene products, electric razors and game cards.
Pictured are Frank Kuczkowski, PER; Tiffiany Conner, Emory Bennett activity director; Dan Theodore, PER; Frank Tamberelli, PSP, Lodge Advisor; and Gerald Peterson, PER, Veterans Chair.
Sanford Elks Share Day of Fishing, Lunch and Bingo with Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
On March 24, Sanford Lodge hosted veterans from the Lake Baldwin VA domiciliary for lunch, games and fishing using the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant. The veterans enjoyed fishing at Lake Monroe and then went to the lodge for an authentic lunch of arroz con pigeon peas with steak, plantains and potato salad. After lunch, they enjoyed a game of bingo.
Pictured are a veteran fishing and veterans playing bingo. Also pictured are Donald Soderblom, Veteran Services Chair; Rosa Mentlick, member; and Rosario Valldejuli, cook for the day and grandmother and mother of members Rosa and Lynette Mentlick.
Sanford Elks Host Pizza Lunch for Lake Baldwin VA Veterans
- Details
- Written by Cristin Rumler
On Feb. 18, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 used its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to host a pizza lunch at the Lake Baldwin VA facility to enjoy an afternoon with the residents of their domiciliary as part of their monthly luncheons project.
Pictured serving the veterans are Alie Equizi, granddaughter of Lodge Veterans Services Chair, Donald Soderblom; Janel Equizi, daughter of Donald Soderblom; and Kathy Soderblom, spouse.
Happy Hookers and Zephyrhills Elks Donate Blankets to Veterans After Amputation Surgery
- Details
- Written by Ken Fabiani, PER
A group called the Happy Hookers crocheted lap blankets and donated them to the Zephyrhills Lodge Veterans Committee. On March 14, Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chair and an amputee and Vietnam veteran, delivered the blankets to veterans who had just had amputation surgery at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. Each blanket has a special note for the veterans.
Palm Coast Elks Raise More than $6,000 for Veterans Programs
- Details
- Written by David Valinski
The Palm Coast Elks Lodge Veterans Committee held a gun raffle fundraiser Feb. 11 after all tickets were sold and additional donations were collected. More than $6,000 was raised for local programs supporting veterans who are disabled, have PTSD or are experiencing homelessness, as well as for the lodge’s veteran information program. Members as well as members of the community and businesses sold and purchased raffle tickets.
Pictured are lodge members Sean Reardon; Bob Williams, Exalted Ruler; Bill Hall, PER; Brad Lake; David Valinski; Jerry DiMenna, Chair; and Rob Kronen.
Bonita Springs-Estero Lodge Hosts Fashion Show Fundraiser for Honor Flight
- Details
- Written by Bonita Springs-Estero Elks
Bonita Springs-Estero Lodge hosted a charity fashion show Feb. 17 to benefit the Collier-Lee Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Eight lady Elks modeled the fashions from Back of the Bay fashions. Fourteen male Elks volunteered to give out gift baskets, serve the 183 ladies who attended, and clean up after the event. The event raised $3,325 for the Honor Flight, which flies veterans to Washington, D.C., to see their war monuments.
Pictured are Shirley Thompson, member; Bob Reffitt, Honor Flight member; and Rufus Morris-Ellington, Exalted Ruler.
Fort Pierce Elks Make Monthly Donation to Local Veterans
- Details
- Written by Ginny Young
On Feb. 23, Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520 members donated $245 in snacks to the Ardie R. Copas Veterans Nursing Home.
Pictured are Rod Dally, Veterans Chair; Sherika Akers, therapy aid supervisor and activities director; and Jim Wallace, member.
Jacksonville Elks Lodge Holds First Veteran Health and Wellness Fair
- Details
- Written by Deborah Reedy, PER
Jacksonville Lodge held its first Veteran Health and Wellness Fair Feb. 17, using the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant. Seven organizations were present to share information about how they can help veterans obtain benefits. The lodge supplied goody bags for 142 veterans, both to those in attendance and those who could not attend but were given a bag by a veterans organization.
The bags, pictured, included personal hygiene items such as an oral thermometer, travel manicure and first aid set, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and healthy snacks.
Sebring Elks Share Information about Veterans' Services
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
On Feb. 8, Sebring Lodge’s Veterans Committee held its first meet-and-greet at the lodge for local veterans. The purpose was to have a social atmosphere for veterans to enjoy, along with vital information to be shared from the Highlands County Veterans Services Office about the help veterans can get from the VA and the lodge. In attendance were Denise Williams, county veterans service officer, and Glenn West, Highlands Veterans Council president (pictured speaking with a veteran).