Here is the most up-to-date information we have on the
disaster relief
efforts being coordinated by Elks. The letters are listed in chronological
order with the top being the latest.
A message from Don Roll, National Coordinator of the Florida Disaster Relief Program:
Thursday - September 9, 2004
Since it is not possible for me to cover all of the areas affected by the recent hurricanes, I am requesting that each Lodge Exalted Ruler and Secretary join this committee to help locate those Elks or other families in need of financial assistance.
The Exalted Ruler or Secretary should send the request to me where it will be evaluated based on the need for food, clothing, medical supplies, or housing. Requests should be faxed to my attention at Punta Gorda Lodge (941) 637-4769 or mailed as follows:
Donald F. Roll
115 Morningstar Drive
Punta Gorda, FL 33950-2330
I must have the name of the recipient, the Lodge number, and the requested amount. The grant cannot exceed $2,000. Once processed, the requests will be forwarded to the State office in Umatilla, a check will be cut and mailed to the Lodge.
PLEASE HELP US SO THAT WE MAY HELP OUR MEMBERS!!!
Florida Disaster Relief Committee:
Donald F. Roll - Punta Gorda # 2606 - H: (941) 639-6670 - C: (941) 456-4088
Tom Gorman - Punta Gorda # 2606 - H: (941) 639-6422 - C: (941) 286-5739
Carl Rehling * - Punta Gorda # 2606 - H: (941-639-8180 - C: (941) 661-6041
Pete Vaphiades - Port Charlotte # 2153 - H: (941) 429-1381 - C: (941) 661-2213
S. Ray Bibisi - Sarasota # 1519 - H: (941) 739-0917 - C: (941) 685-1523
Kay Neely - Deep Creek # 2763 - H: (941) 255-0996 - C: (941) 769-6719
Butch Truman - Deep Creek # 2763 - H: (941) 624-5930
Kathy McDonald - N. Fort Myers # 2742 - H: (239) 731-9771
* Public Relations
On August 24, 2004, Grand Exalted Ruler McQuillan, at the recommendation of State Sponsor Robert Grafton, PGER, appointed PDD Don Roll of the Punta Gorda Lodge # 2606, as a Special Representative and requested that he perform such duties as are assigned to him relative to coordinating the disaster relief fund. It will be Don's job to create a loss recovery form or voucher that will be completed by anyone requesting support from the Disaster Relief Fund.
Don's mailing address is as follows: 115 Morning Star Drive Punta
Gorda, FL 33950-2330
His home phone number is (941) 639-6670
As for the Disaster Relief Fund, donations have been coming in all week from Lodges, Members, Districts and State Associations from all over the country! The Grand Lodge was very quick to issue the appeal for disaster funds and very soon those funds will be flowing to the victims of this horrific catastrophe. Elks from all over the State of Florida are hard at work helping our brothers and sisters put their lives back together. The outpouring of support has been strong and the caring and sharing simply remarkable! Please help me to convey this message throughout your Lodges and Districts as there is still much work to be done!
Thank you very much!
Carl T. Seibert
Florida State Elks Association State Secretary
Port Charlotte, Deep Creek, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, and Ft Myers all sustained damage. Some severe. Supplies and relief efforts are being consolidated at Deep Creek Elks. PDDGER Don Roll is heading the efforts and a committee with a member from each Lodge has been formed.
For further information or to provide assistance contact Carl Rehling PER @941-639-1960
Thanks,
Carl
Members:
Many of you have called the State office over the last few days asking how
you may make contributions to the hurricane relief efforts. Many people have
been working very hard behind the scenes in this regard and we are now
prepared to pass that information along to you.
A 2004 Florida Elks Disaster Relief Fund has been established by the Grand
Lodge to accept donations from Elks, Elks Lodges, and State Associations
from across the country. If you would like to contribute, you may do so by
making your checks payable to Florida Elks Charities Disaster Relief Fund
and mailing them to:
Florida Elks Charities, Inc.
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
Very soon a Disaster Coordinator will be named in Florida. It will be this
Elks job to visit the disaster area and assess the immediate needs. The
Disaster Coordinator will then make provisions for accepting applications
and granting funds to those in need. Additional information will be provided
as it is received.
Some of the guidelines in distributing funds are as follows:
The funds will be used to provide emergency services and aid to individuals,
Elks Lodges and households who were affected by this disaster.
Members of the Order and/or their dependents will be given special
consideration however others can be included.
Affected parties will be required to complete an Elks Grant Application
describing the extent of damages, injuries, and /or facilities.
Grants will be guided by information given with respect to the urgent need
for food, clothing, blankets, or medical supplies which are not available
from other agencies.
Grants may not be given or used to provide financial aid to disaster
victims.
Grants may not be used for reconstruction however they may be used to render
a facility safe, sanitary, or secure from vandalism.
No individual, organization or public agency shall receive more than $2,000
from this fund (Except for uninsurable Lodges, which will be handled on a
case by case basis.
Many of our fellow members have suffered significant losses to their
property and livelihoods. I hope you will keep them in your thoughts and
prayers!
Fraternally,
Carl T. Seibert
State Secretary
My fellow Elks,
We have received reports of damage (mostly roofs) at several lodges and a
loss of refrigerated food and meats at many others. The Southwest District
is arranging for the delivery of the following items in immediate need:
Soap, shampoo, toilet paper, towels, diapers, sunscreen, bug repellent and
wipes.
Punta Gorda is arranging a work party for men and women starting at 9:00am
on Saturday, 8/21/04. Volunteers, please pack a lunch and plenty of water,
as there is nothing in this area available. The Southwest District has sent
10 chain saws and many other supplies to Punta Gorda already.
Our FSEA contacts regarding any immediate help you can give are FSEA SW
District Vice President Ray Bibisi, Secretary of Sarasota Lodge #1519 and
Doris Wadell, PER of Manasota Lodge #2734.
RAY BIBISI DORIS WADELL
5707 45TH ST. E. #108 P.O. BOX 5599
BRADENTON, FL 34203 BRADENTON, FL 34281-5599
1-941-685-1523 1-941-720-0592
1-941-359-1519
If anyone in Port Charlotte is willing to take in a homeless person due to
this destruction please call 1-941-772-1057.
PSP Tom Ryan of the SSE District has arranged for the collection of needed
supplies, using the Drug Awareness trailer for delivery over the next 3
weeks. If you can help please contact:
PSP TOM RYAN, SSE 1-954-849-0615
DVP GERALD CARTER, SSE 1-954-741-6358
PSP Mike Smith is seeking volunteers for a work party at Arcadia Lodge #1524
starting at 9:00am on Saturday, 8/21/04. Food will be provided. Please
bring extra water. If you can help please call
PSP MIKE SMITH 1-813-752-0781
More information will be made available as we receive it. Please help if
you can and please keep all of these victims in your prayers. May God Bless
America.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Frank J. Palladini
FSEA President