Our Military & Veterans
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- Written by: Sarasota South Elks
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On Nov. 11, members from Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 walked in the Sarasota Veterans Day parade.
Pictured are Dee Pico-Keim, Chris Keim, Bob Holmes, Paul DiBona, Paul Garcia and Susan Netupski.
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- Written by: Rita Smith, PER
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On Nov. 1, Tampa Elks Lodge #708 used its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to treat veterans experiencing homelessness from Salvation Army and Liberty Manor for Veterans to a narrated sightseeing trip through the Downtown Tampa waterways, followed by lunch at a waterside café. Nine Elks also participated and socialized with the veterans. Every participant agreed it was a pleasant and relaxing morning, and both groups were profuse in their gratitude.
Pictured are veterans and members on the boat.
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- Written by: Bradenton Elks
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On Nov. 1, Bradenton Elks Lodge members donated socks, underwear, toothbrushes and other toiletries to C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Pictured are Johnny Miller, Elks VAVS Representative to the VAMC, and Bill Rauh, Lodge Veterans Chair.
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- Written by: Brandon Elks
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Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 raised more than $2,400 from raffles and member donations for the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Hillsborough County Veterans Park. The lodge’s name appears on the donor plaque at the Veteran Resource Center at the park. On Oct. 11, the memorial monument was dedicated.
Pictured with the monument is Jeffrey Sklut, lodge member and senior member of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Committee.
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- Written by: Lakeland Elks
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On Oct. 5, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 held its annual picnic at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa. The event was chaired by members Char Fisher and Kristen Francks. Thirty-three members prepared and served meals to more than 600 patients and hospital staff members. The menu included hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, potato chips, applesauce, cookies, soft drinks and bottled water. They delivered meals to patients’ rooms if they were unable to attend the cookout. Garry Malone, Lodge Secretary, provided the music. The food and supplies were purchased with the $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and $4,375 from the lodge veterans fund.
Pictured are the member volunteers as well as chairs Kristen Francks and Char Fisher and Garry Malone with the music system.
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- Written by: Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Nov. 5, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 took part in the annual Panhandle Warrior Partnership Stronger Together Resource Fair & Standdown, which serves veterans, those who are unhoused and those in need of community services. The PWP is committed to improving veterans’ quality of life in northwest Florida through the coordination of local services and opportunities, from housing and employment to enrollment in VA benefits, health care, recreation and more. The lodge provided $1,000 worth of men’s and women’s underwear, T-shirts and socks.
Pictured are Mark Wynn, Loyal Knight; Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, board chairman; Kevin Clemons, PDD, Northwest District Leader; and Paul Eubanks, PER, trustee.
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- Written by: Pattie Cloud
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The USA Patriots, formerly known as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, has been a registered nonprofit since 2011, after the need for continued rehabilitation options for wounded veterans had begun to rise. Through slow-pitch softball, the organization provides athletic programming and youth programming initiatives to teach the abilities of adaptive sport by veterans and engages veterans in communities to show off the abilities they now have as post-trauma athletes. On Oct. 17, Holiday Isles Elks Lodge members presented a $1,000 donation to support their ongoing work.
Pictured are Anne-Marie Brooks, far left, member and Madeira Beach mayor; Richard DeBlasio, center, member and Volunteer of the Year; and Paula DeBlasio, far right, Lodge Secretary. Pictured with them are team members from the USA Patriots and a local softball team made up of firefighters from the Madeira Beach Fire Department.
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- Written by: Pattie Cloud
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On Sept. 19 in honor of National POW/MIA Remembrance Day and National Pepperoni Pizza Day, Holiday Isles Elks Lodge #1912 hosted a pizza party to benefit the Bay Pines Veterans Volunteer Services Center and the West Coast Central District Veterans Fund. Members of the lodge and the community came in large numbers to support these very important services. Pizza was donated by Jim Breazeale, member and owner of DeLosa'a Pizza. There was live music from Gypsy Edge, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, and Jamie Everett played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes before a moment of silence to honor service members who never came home. The event raised $2,000, of which $1,500 was donated to the Bay Pines VA Volunteer Service Center and $500 was donated to the West Coast Central District Veterans Fund.
Pictured are Debbie Rase, House Committee chair, and Dee Mercer, House Committee member, presenting the $500 donation to John Wilson, center, chair of the West Coast Central District Veterans Fund. Also pictured is Rob Frazier receiving $1,500 in gift cards to distribute to veterans in need.
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- Written by: Susan Janes
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In October, Cocoa Beach Elks joined 10 veterans on their shopping trip for their Welcome Home Kits. These veterans are transitioning into housing. The lodge provided them with more than $3,500 worth of goods and food. Pictured are Daniel, a veteran, and member Lisa Mulone.
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- Written by: Dayna Williams, PDD
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In response to a final request from Gainesville Elks Lodge member Joseph Caswell, PER for people desiring to purchase flowers in his remembrance, he asked that they donate to a fund in support of the local VA Medical Center, and a significant amount was acquired. The lodge decided to purchase benches in recognition of veterans. Through the efforts of Caswell’s family and lodge members, 10 concrete benches have been donated so far to the North Florida/South Georgia VA Medical Center, with an accumulated value in excess of $5,000.
Pictured Oct. 3 in front of a bench are lodge members, family members and representatives from the VA.
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- Written by: West Palm Beach Elks
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On July 11, West Palm Beach Elks delivered 46 backpacks to The Stand Down House for homeless veterans. The items were purchased with the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and included personal hygiene items, disposable wipes, socks, bottled water, canned foods and more.
A contact from the Stand Down House is pictured with the backpacks.
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- Written by: Jupiter Elks
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On Aug. 20, Jupiter Elks delivered a care package to a local veteran and her autistic child. The package included bedding, kitchen supplies, hygiene items and food gift cards to support their transition into a new home. The items were funded by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Focus Grant.