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Our Military & Veterans
Kissimmee Lodge Sends Volunteers to National Veterans Wheelchair Games
- Details
- Written by Kissimmee Elks
Kissimmee Lodge sent volunteers to the National Veterans Wheelchair Games Tuesday, July 31. Pictured are members Cyn Zellner, Bob Barry and Fran Barry who were at the games at the Orange County Convention Center. Cyn Zellner and Fran Barry also volunteered at Gatorland Saturday, Aug. 4. Member Billy DeLuca volunteered Aug. 4 at the Convention Center. According to wheelchairgames.org, the games are sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America. “The games serve veterans with spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, amputations and other central neurological impairments with the goal to increase their independence, healthy activity, and quality of life through wheelchair sports and recreation. Veterans are being exposed to wheelchair sports at their home VAMC or PVA Chapters as part of their rehabilitation to improve function, independence and getting them active in their home communities in sport and fitness.” Some events included basketball, softball, swimming, cycling and power lifting.
Vero Beach Lodge Car Show Raises Funds for Veterans
- Details
- Written by Vero Beach Elks
Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774 held their annual Father’s Day car show! Along with good food and great cars, over $1,100 was raised for Vero Beach veterans.
Florida Keys Lodge Hosts Veterans for Lunch and Bingo
- Details
- Written by Ruth Huenniger
On July 30, 15 veterans from the VA hospital in Miami visited Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 for lunch and bingo as one of their recreational outings. Volunteers from the Elks provided a tasty lunch and prizes for a few games of bingo. The local Girl Scouts gave gifts of sun catchers, thank-you posters and cards which they had made. The veterans also received t-shirts donated by an Elks member.
Tampa Elks Host Veterans for Dinner and No-cost Thrift Store
- Details
- Written by Rita Smith
On July 20, Tampa Elks Lodge #708 hosted 10 veterans for dinner from the James A. Haley VA Domiciliary, a transitional facility for veterans experiencing homelessness. They enjoyed selecting their made-to-order specialty sandwiches from PER Shelagh Gombarcik and Laura Jones and listening to live music from Limestone Cowboy. The veterans were also treated to a free thrift store where they could fill bags of items they could use when they are rehoused. The lodge’s Veterans Committee, chaired by Patricia Jankiewicz, hosted the event.
Bradenton Elks Use Gratitude Grant to take Veterans Fishing
- Details
- Written by Mike Dinius
On June 28, Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 used another Elks Nation Foundation Gratitude Grant to take 30 veterans from all branches of the military on a four-hour inshore fishing trip. The grant paid for the eight captains and their boats who have discounted their normal fees by at least 50%. Bradenton Elks Lodge paid for sub sandwiches from Publix and beverages through their own fundraising and awarded cash prizes for the largest trout, snook and redfish caught. This is the lodge’s sixth year taking local veterans fishing with help from the Gratitude Grant.
Tallahassee Elks Participate in Veterans Stand Down
- Details
- Written by Tallahassee Elks
The Veterans Stand Down was held again this year at the Leon County Fairgrounds in April with Tallahassee Elks Lodge #937 providing food for the event. With the assistance of Elks National Foundation grants, lunch was provided both days. Members Ron Brown, Dorothy Brown, MaryAnna Mohr, Sharon Coleman, Don Dobson, Karla Jones, Chuck Mohr and Wayne Harrell were on hand to serve food to the veterans in need.
Jacksonville Elks Use Anniversary Grant for Veterans in Hospice Care
- Details
- Written by Jacksonville Elks
Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 in partnership with Community Hospice and Palliative Care donated $1,500 from a 150th Anniversary Grant to Community Hospice and Palliative Care for their veterans’ flags and pins program. A flag of the veteran’s branch of service is placed outside the patient’s room as a last chance to honor and thank a veteran for their service. The veteran is also pinned with a pin from his or her branch of service in a short presentation.
Pictured are Dale Farrow, Manager of Community Programs; Toula Wootan, Director of Community Programs; Dave Hosch, Jacksonville Exalted Ruler; and Dick Maloney, PER at Jacksonville Lodge’s donation presentation to Community Hospice and Palliative Care.
Ocala Elks Placed Flags at Florida National Cemetery
- Details
- Written by Ocala Elks
In May, Ocala Elks Lodge #286 participated in "Flags for Fallen Veterans" at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. Even though there was rain in the forecast, their volunteer numbers doubled to 20 from last year, including two children. Many new members got involved as well. On the following Saturday, 17 volunteers returned to pick up the flags which will be dried and stored until next year.
Winter Park Elks Unveil Purple Heart Recipient Parking Space at Lodge
- Details
- Written by Winter Park Elks
Winter Park Elks Lodge #1830 installed a reserved parking space to honor members and visitors who are Purple Heart recipients. Elks National Veterans Service Committee (ENVSC) Representative, Ron Goluba; Sue Jovi; Lodge Veterans Affairs Chairman, Nadine Hardin; Trustee, Ron Cunningham; and Exalted Ruler Pat Kortum, all played a part in completing this project. The Wounded Warriors Purple Heart sign was donated by woundedwarriorsfamilysupport.org.
Army of Hope Fundraiser Hosted by Sanford Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Sanford Elks
Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 hosted the East Central District Army of Hope fundraiser April 21. There was live music and great barbecue prepared by Sanford’s members. Port Orange and Titusville lodges donated food. Members from every lodge in the district were in attendance to support this worthy cause. Soldiers from the Sanford Army Reserve Center displayed equipment and greeted guests. A therapist from Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services talked with guests about the program. A car show was held in the street with over 20 antique and exotic cars on display. Sanford Lodge 1241 was proud to host an event to help make a difference in the lives of military families. Through donations from local businesses and individuals, the East Central District raised $11,000 for the Army of Hope.
Soldiers Rodriguez and Sandoval and their significant others posed for a picture with PSP Vic McClellan, Army of Hope Chairman, during Sanford Lodge’s Army of Hope fundraiser.
West Citrus Elks Honor POW/MIA Veterans
- Details
- Written by West Citrus Elks
During the annual Memorial Day dinner and dance, the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee presented a missing-man table in memory of fallen POW/MIA heroes. Pictured during the ceremony are committee members Jack Stewart; Joanne Hepner, co-chairman; and Jack McKowen. The table will be permanently displayed in the lodge vestibule.
Zephyrhills Lodge Uses Freedom Grant for Supplies at Tampa Domiciliary
- Details
- Written by Zephyrhills Elks
On May 22, Zephyrhills Lodge used their Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to purchase and deliver supplies for the Tampa Domiciliary including two laptop computers, Microsoft Office software for all the computers in the resident computer room, and polo shirts and shoes for the residents. The Tampa Domiciliary serves over 100 homeless veterans each year.
Pictured are Ronald McDermott; Ken Fabiani, Exalted Ruler; Ginny Bennett; Mark A. Ruiz, PhD, ABPP, Program Manager; and Judy Osgood, ENF grants chairman for Zephyrhills Lodge’s delivery to the Tampa Domiciliary. Also attending the presentation but not pictured was Roy Leonard, Nurse Manager.