Dear Brothers and Sisters:
I hope everyone had a nice summer and to those who have returned, WELCOME BACK! I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Lodge. I would like to especially thank the members who were here all summer for their support and hard work in keepingour Lodge strong.
Each one of us is a proud member of the BPOE of the United States of America. In order to continue our charitable works and fulfill our obligation to our charities, our Lodge must remain profitable. We cannot function without volunteers. I am challenging every able-bodied member to volunteer at the Lodge at least once a month. We need help in all areas of the Lodge. For example:daily kitchen helpers, dishwashers on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, Friday night
bussers, Sunday morning breakfast shifts (starts October 3rd), Sunday afternoon broasted chicken dinners, Monday Wing and Wednesday Taco nights.
I understand that we all have busy schedules, and some of our mature members may not be able to help with some things; however, there are committees in which you can get involved. The Americanism Committee needs judges, our Veterans
Committee will need volunteers for two new programs that are being implemented. There's always selling tickets for functions or handling our 50/50 drawings. I will be putting a notebook with sign-up sheets in the lobby for volunteers. Please sign up
to volunteer for something, and most importantly, follow through on your
commitment. Volunteering can be work; however, it can also be extremely rewarding, a lot of fun, a chance to meet people and make new friends.
Our new Veterans Committee is now co-chaired by Henry and Shireen Hartman and Richard and Donna O'Hanley. The first new program mentioned above will be the collection of decks of playing cards, new or used in good condition, which will be delivered to Bay Pines and the Jacobson Home for our veterans. At this time, you can drop them off in the box located in the lobby for personal hygiene items until a more permanent location is set up. Secondly, starting in October, we will be
collecting "National Product Coupons" (i.e. Campbell Soup, Kraft Products,
Johnson & Johnson) that will be distributed to veterans' families throughout Florida and overseas, for their use in the PX. I will let you know in the next newsletter where and how the coupons will be collected, but start saving them now.
The Board of Governors will be hosting a Fun Night on Saturday, September 25th from 5 to 9PM. We will be having Eric's fantastic BBQ Ribs and music by Barb Duff. Barb will be playing dance music as well as Karaoke. I encourage everyone to
come out for great food, fellowship and fun.
I am looking forward to a great month and I will see you at the Lodge!
Cathy Bedwell
Exalted Ruler
Remember:
NO MAN STANDS SO TALL THAN HE
WHO STOOPS TO HELP A CHILD.
