BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 sustained heavy damage during hurricanes Helene and Milton, but lodge administrator Byron Dalton and the lodge officers hope to reopen the social quarters in late April or May.
In late September, Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic storm surge crashed through the dining room windows that face the Gulf of Mexico and destroyed the exterior walls and interior contents in its path. But the social quarters and bar area at the south end of the building fared a little better.
During the children’s Christmas party held this year at Bradenton Moose Lodge #1223 on Dec. 14, Dalton discussed the damage sustained and the recovery plans being formulated for the beachfront lodge in Bradenton Beach that has more members than any other Moose lodge in the world.
“The two hurricanes were quite devasting,” he said.
Dalton and the lodge officers got together, reviewed contractor proposals and decided which contractor they wanted to lead the permitting process and restoration efforts.
The plan is to construct a wall between the social quarters in the south half of the building and the more heavily-damaged dining room and the north half of the building. The social quarters, bar area, restrooms and office area in the southern half of the bright blue building will be repaired first. And when the social quarters reopen, so will the second story deck above it.
“Hopefully, at the end of April, possibly May, we’ll have the social quarters open and we’ll be serving cocktails, refreshments and meals of some sort. We’ve been looking at possibly putting a food trailer in the parking lot,” Dalton said.
Dalton said the saltwater storm surge damaged the coolers and kitchen equipment that will eventually be replaced, but due to FEMA’s 50% repair value restrictions, he doesn’t envision the kitchen reopening when the social quarters reopen. Due to FEMA annual repair limits, the repair and/or reconstruction of the dining room and the north half of the building will likely be put on hold for another year.
“We’re hoping to get that area stabilized and leveled and possibly use it as an outdoor seating area as people come off the beach,” Dalton said.
Recovery funds
Dalton said the lodge was fully insured and its insurance claims and FEMA claims are going well. The Moose International fraternity and the Florida Moose Association may also be able to provide some disaster relief funds.
The AMI lodge established a Zelle account to accept monetary donations from Moose members and others who want to help support the repair and restoration efforts. Zelle users can use the “lodge2188@mooseunits.org” email address to donate.
The “Help AMI Lodge #2188 Workers Recover” GoFundMe page raised $3,615 as of Dec. 22 and that money is being used to provide financial assistance for the AMI Moose Lodge employees currently out of work.
When asked what else Moose members can do to help, Dalton said, “The best thing you can do to help is pay your dues, sign new members up and talk about the Moose organization. Your Moose card and Moose membership are good at any Moose lodge in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Be a Moose. Visit other Moose lodges.”
In closing, he said, “We’re going to be OK. It’s going to be a long road, but we will be back bigger and better than we were. God bless the Moose and thank you everybody.”
