The Manatee County Annual Business / Education Partnership Awards Breakfast held every August and sponsored by the Manatee County School System and the Chamber of Commerce, Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies has been presented the "Partner In Excellence" Award.  "This award goes to the business partner that has typified the mission of the Manatee Partnership Program through active and exemplary accomplishment of various levels of participation.  The recipient of this award was selected by the judges from all the categories" and is award is the "Academy Award" and highest award given by the School System and the Chamber of Commerce jointly at the annual affair.  Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies has also won the Chamber of Commerce and Manatee County School Board "Civic Partner of the Year".

Pictured from left: Ken Davis, District Vice President; Jeff Mitchell District Elks of the Year and Community Investment Program Volunteer of the Year, and Carl Ledig, Florida State Elks Association State President. COURTESY PHOTO.

Jeff Mitchell, from the Bradenton, Elks Lodge No. 1511, earned a pair of accolades recently.

He was named Southwest District Elks of the Year at the State President's Visit, then was named the Community Investment Program Volunteer of the Year by the Elks National Foundation.

Mitchell has been a driving force behind Bradenton's Impact Grant project, Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies (EFELT), which has been a success since 2011.

Mitchell will be recognized for his commitment to building a stronger community at the Elks Grand Lodge National Convention, hosted July 5 to 9 in Indianapolis.

-- Submitted by Patrick Gallagher