Zephyrhills, FL 2731

Zephyrhills Elks lodge 2731 and the Veterans Committee on October 26, 2019 was able to donate eight large banana boxers of two types of cookies and two large banana boxes of microwave popcorn to Rose Castle Nursing Home, Westbrook Nursing Home, and Zephyrhills Fire Department totaling over $750.00. The Elks support our veterans and all those who are there to protect us, either in another country or here at home. Thank you for your service. The Elks will always be there to support you. Ken Fabiani Veterans Committee Chairman

Zephyrhills Elks lodge 2731 and the Veterans Committee on October 26, 2019 was able to donate eight large banana boxers of two types of cookies and two large banana boxes of microwave popcorn to Rose Castle Nursing Home, Westbrook Nursing Home, and Zephyrhills Fire Department totaling over $750.00. The Elks support our veterans and all those who are there to protect us, either in another country or here at home. Thank you for your service. The Elks will always be there to support you. Ken Fabiani Veterans Committee Chairman

The ENF Freedom Grant was used to purchase clothing, shoes and socks for 19 veterans transitioning from the Veterans Domiciliary Outreach Housing Unit, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida to independent living and to assist them for interviews and other events.

One of the two mats purchased with the ENF Gratitude Grant for Meals on Wheels volunteers who prepare and load vehicles for delivery to elderly clients. Pictured L-R, Beth Aker, Executive Director, East Pasco Meals on Wheels, David Moyer, Exalted Ruler, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge 2731.

L-R: David Moyer, Exalted Ruler, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge 2731; Beth Aker, Executive Director, East Pasco Meals on Wheels;Tracy Stock, Coordinator and Cook; Leanne Starcher, Pantry Coordinator; (Seated) Judy Osgood, ENF Chairman Zephyrhills Elks Lodge 2731. The ENF Gratitude Grant for East Pasco Meals on Wheels purchased a give compartment steam table with pans and lids and two new floor mats for the entrance doors. Items were needed for safety for the volunteers who help prepare meals and load into vehicles for delivery to the elderly clients.

August 1, 2019 - Zephyrhills Hills Elks lodge 2731 and the veterans committee have donated the following clothing to Bay Pines Veterans Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida: 12 pair men’s underwear, 16 undershirts, 6 polo shirts, 12 t- shirts, 4 pair pants, 3 pair shoes, 3 pair pajamas,.82 pair women’s underwear and 2 sports bras. 1 large backpack, and 1 large travel duffle bag. The Elks also sweet treats which included chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered mints, and chocolate covered caramels. Zephyrhills Elks lodge 2731 will continue to support both James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and Bay Pines Veterans Hospital. Our Veterans are one of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks’ (B.P.O.E.) best people on earth) major projects along with our children. Our heart is always there for those in need. Edgardo Solivan, Bay Pines Volunteer Services, Ken Fabiani, Past Exalted Ruler and Veteran’s Chairperson for the Elks’ lodge 2731. We thank everyone for your donations to our Veterans. Ken Fabiani

August 6th, 2019 - Zephyrhills Elks Lodge 2731 continues to help our veterans. Zachary Scott is the 10th veteran who the Elks and the Veterans Committee have been able to help move into his own place starting a new life moving forward. We were able to provide Zachary with a laptop, dish set for 4, silverware, towels, bedding, pillow and personal hygiene items. The Elks have big hearts when it comes to our veterans. Thank you for all your support. Ken Fabiani Past Exalted Ruler and Veterans Chairperson

Zephyrhills Hills Elks Lodge continues to move forward helping our veterans move forward into their new homes. We were able to furnish our 11th Veteran’s home with a leather love seat, recliner, 6 place setting dish set, 12 glasses, silverware, 8 bath towels, 8 hand towels, 8 wash cloths, 6 dish towels, 6 dish cloths, 6 place mats, set of storage bowls and a coffee maker. To see the smile and the tears of thanks in Roberto Malcolm’s eyes makes it great to be an elk. Then I presented him with a laptop to further his education. It made me feel so good that the Elks and the Veterans Committee continue to help our Veterans transition back into the community. Thanks to everyone for your support of our veterans. Ken Fabiani, P.E.R. Veterans Committee Chairperson

Ground breaking ceremony of the new Veterans facility on Eiland Blvd. Zephryhills, Florida June 7 2019. The 33,000 square foot facility will have primary care, mental health, physical therapy, podiatry. The plans are to open in 2020. Pictured L-R are Danny Burgess Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Ken Fabiani, past exalted ruler Zephyrhills Lodge 2731, Gus Bilirakis U.S. Representative, Florida 12th District, Robert Hatfield Zephyrhills Elks Lodge 2731, Scholarship Advisor

Zephyrhills Elks Lodge was able to donate household furnishing for the 6th Veteran who has left the Domiciliary to start a new life back in society. With the help of Steve Czemeski and Richard LeClair both members of Zephyrhills Lodge 2731, and Ken Fabiani Past Exalted Ruler, who were involved in picking up and delivering a bedroom dresser, sofa, 2 living room chairs, an office desk, 3 lamps, coffee maker, toaster, panini maker, dishes, pots and pans all the comforts of home. The lodge has also provided Keith with a set of 6 kitchen towels 6 dish clothes, 6 bath towels, 6 hand towels, and 6 face clothes. The best part of the day was when Mr. Keith Dixon (Veteran) saw the 43-inch flat screen television. He and his girl friend had ear to ear smiles on their faces. As we were leaving, we had one more surprise for Keith. The lodge was able to donate a 15-inch laptop so he could continue his studies at home. Tears just filled his eyes and there were no words to be said. Steve, Richard and I know the good feeling that we have deep inside for our veterans. Again, I would like to thank all the members and their friends for all the support and donations that we have received so that our Veterans can enjoy a new life. Thanks Ken Fabiani

Zephyrhills Elks Lodge 2731 donated these beautiful crocheted afghans to Baldemoro-Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land-o-Lakes. The yarn was donated to the lodge from our generous members and the afghans were lovingly made by the Happy Hookers, a group of women from the Highlands of Scotland Yard who are members of our lodge. Thank you so much ladies, we know the Veterans will very much appreciate your generosity, time and effort.

The Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee has donated toys to the Feed the Kids Program. Pictured are PER Donna Moyer (L) and PER Ken Fabiani (Veterans Committee Chair).

Residents from the Highlands at Scotland Yard with the help of Jim Sullivan (L) and Scott Brown (C) presented Elks PER Ken Fabiani with donated clothes for our Veterans. Thank you folks.

ER David Moyer presented our Local Scholarship Award to recipient Mallory McCann. Congratulations Mallory!

Clothing donation from our members to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Tampa Florida. Left to right: Ken Fabiani P.E.R. Tammi Clarke Chief of Voluntary Services & Steve Czerneski Elk Member (Volunteer). Thank you everyone

Pictured left to right: Ron Ellison, lodge member, Geoff Hopkins Chief of Recreation Service James A. Haley, Ken Fabiani P.E.R. Donation of $250 to Therapy Services.

On April 10, 2019 the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge # 2731 made a donation to the East Pasco YMCA of Zephyrhills. The donation was presented by Leading Knight Jay Klamer to Michael Cosentino, Center Executive for the East Pasco YMCA.

We currently have six RV lots available with electric, water and on site dumping station.

Sgt Smith is in charge of our Zephyrhills JrROTC team that we have supported in the past. This monetary donation made on 3/19/2019, in the amount of $500.00 for their basketball program. Presentation of the check is from Zephyrhills Lodge #2731.

This picture attached shows Ken Fabiani, Exalted Ruler presenting the gift card to our veteran in the amount of $100.00 on March 19th. Out of respect to one of our veteran’s privacy, his name has been omitted from this article. He arrived at our Zephyrhills Lodge, #2731 in dire need of financial assistance to return to his home base VA Hospital (Bay Pines, St. Petersburg).