My part-time job

My part-time job

I spent this past weekend at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort on a business trip that involves my being the editor/publisher of the Florida Elks News. I have to publish a report about the Florida State Elks Annual Convention that was held.

The four days required me to be present during many meetings and keep notes and take photographs of the important awards and winners of contests so I can report the news in the next edition of the quarterly that comes out in July. My only complaint is that I was kept so busy that I had no time to enjoy the attractions that Disney offers.

I consider being a member of the Benevolent Order of Elks the second most rewarding experiences of my life and am proud that they have selected me to be their newspaper editor. The PW rates first.

Florida Elks do so much for our communities and giving assistance to and supporting our veterans, families in need, disadvantaged children and children in need of rehabilitation, whether it is physical or those who suffer from developmental problems. We also give a great camping experience to more that 22,000 children each year at our Florida Elks Youth Camp on more than 400 acres up in Marion County, east of Leesburg. Many of these children attend a week of camping at no cost to their families. More information at flelks.org

Attention military families

I am writing about this so that I can get to one piece of news from the convention that needs to be presented to families or grandparents of children from 8-16 years of age whose military father or mother is deployed overseas.

The Elks have an "Army of Hope" program and there are several openings available for a week of camping between July 26-Aug.1, at no cost to these families, but we need to find them within the next week. The military will not give out information regarding service personnel who are serving our country so I have no way to know if there are mothers/fathers in this area who would qualify.

If you are, or know of someone who has a family member deployed overseas, please either contact me or go to flelks.org and search that site for the application or more information. Grandparents of these children may have a son or daughter serving overseas but not in this area, let them know about this offer.

The only cost, and that may be eliminated, is they must deliver their child to the camp and pick them up a week later. An Elks Lodge where they are located may be able to find someone to help with the transportation.

Don't miss out

Time is of the essence; we must know ASAP and not more than a week from today if there is someone who wants to take advantage of this opportunity. You can contact me or call the Youth Camp at 1-800 523-1673 ext 239.

This opportunity will continue each year as long as there are military service personnel serving overseas, leaving a parent back home to care for the family.

I have a 13-year-old grandson who will be attending his fourth year of camping. He hopes to continue in 2010 by becoming a counselor in training for seven weeks of being a cabin counselor and eventually a cabin supervisor.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.