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Eagles Helping Others Enjoy Holiday Season

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By MEGAN HUSSEY, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 24, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - This holiday season, the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3752 in Zephyrhills is giving mass financial contributions to a number of philanthropic organizations; money generated through monthly dinners, drawings, bingo games and individual donations.

"Our motto is people helping people," said Anna Fulk, secretary of the Zephyrhills Eagles. "These charity efforts are approved through the Eagles Grand Aerie home office in Ohio, as are the organizations we help."

This celebration kicked off in October, with a benefit for spina bifida research. So far this month, the lodge has generated $1,400 for the national Parkinson's Research Center.

"We give to national organizations approved by the Grand Aerie, but we also seek and give to local organizations that address these issues," Fulk said. "And often the Grand Aerie will give matching grants to local organizations."

Last year, for example, the Eagles raised $12,086 for the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund; in return, the home office sent $2,500 to the Brandon office of the Child Protection Education of America organization.

These groups again will benefit from next month's fundraising efforts at the Zephyrhills Eagles. In the meantime, Fulk plans a benefit Tupperware party from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday for Parkinson's research.

"Thanks to an arrangement with the Tupperware company, 40 percent of all proceeds will benefit the charity," Fulk said. "I think this is more than wonderful."

Also wonderful, in Fulk's view, are the many services provided through the Parkinson's Research Center.

"The Eagles have many members nationwide affected by this disease, so it's important for us to help," she said. "Of our 900 members in Zephyrhills, 30 or more have Parkinson's."

The lodge also generates donations for its charities through frequent drawings, which generally take place at 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. These drawings offer everything from restaurant dinners to golf packages, beautician services to oil changes, grocery store gift cards to apparel items such as slippers.

The drawings, as well as the monthly benefit dinners, will continue throughout the duration of the giving program.

"We'll help a different charity each month," Fulk said. "And as much as possible, we'll find local charities to help - so the money stays here."
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES
SOME BACKGROUND: The Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3752 in Zephyrhills is hosting months of giving from October through April. The order's president is John Faro; the auxiliary president is Diane Faro.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: Each month, the club hosts dinners, bingo games, drawings and special events, with all proceeds going to a specific charity.

A LITTLE HISTORY: This annual event kicked off in October, with a benefit for spina bifida research.

It reflects the charitable philosophy stated at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Web site, www.foe.com, which reads "people helping people is a value that the Fraternal Order of Eagles has held for more than a century. It's a statement that guides the charitable actions to help members and their families as well as fellow Americans affected by illness, injury or catastrophe."

WHAT'S NEXT: December's month of giving will focus on the cause of helping missing children.

GET INVOLVED: The Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3752 lodge is at 33710 State Road 54 West in Zephyrhills; call for information at (813) 780-1558 or visit http://66.34.1.62/3752/index.html.

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