Ladies of the Elks season begins

The Ladies of the Elks kicked off the season last week when they presented their first fundraiser of the season. Models showed off the latest Fall fashions from Anthony’s of Fort Myers to a crowd of more than 100 women. Proceeds from these fundraisers hosted by the Ladies of the Elks will go directly to island charities with an emphasis on island children.
The ladies were treated to a luncheon followed by a fashion show from Anthony’s Ladies Apparel. Anthony’s is a family run business founded in 1895. They have 13 stores on the east and west coasts of Florida.
The fashions ranged from Animal Prints to Silhouettes and Florals from designers Sandra Darren, Milano, iCantoo and many others. The women had an opportunity to purchase the fashions after the show as well as win prizes in various drawings.
LOTE is a small group of about 80 women that donates its time and efforts to benefit the community by raising money through several seasonal events: fashion shows, card parties, musical events, etc. The cost of events ranges between $10 and $20 per person and all events but the Christmas Party are held at the Elks Lodge at 5630 Pine Island Road, NW ,(just west of Pine Island Center).
Last year the Ladies of the Elks raised approximately $8,000.
Five events are scheduled to follow the fashion show. The December Christmas Party is scheduled at 11:30 a.m. at Misto’s in Cape Coral. All of the following events are scheduled at the Lodge in Bokeelia: January’s event on the 21st includes stand up comedian “Crazy Carol;” in February, Janina Bortolo portrays “Cleopatra;” March is the Spring Fashion Show; April is the final event of the season with a pot-luck luncheon and donations to the Pine Island Food Pantry.
Past beneficiaries of these events include: Pine Island Elementary School, through the school basket brigade, incentive program and emergency shoe fun (The emergency shoe fund is for children that are very needy. If a teacher sees that a child needs a new pair of shoes, the child is sent to the nurse, who supplies them with the correct size); Fellow Islanders Sending Help (F.I.S.H.); Pine Island Food Pantry, Lee County Recreation Department ;and the Pine Island Elks Lodge for children’s therapy.
The Ladies of the Elks meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Elks Lodge. For more information, contact Vice President Sue Eslinger at 239-283-7849.