The Villages - April 2021 - 11

" We did the primary and we did the general election,
and every station in the precinct is covered, " he explained.
" From the ballot-takers to check-in to running the
machines - we like seeing the smiles of people as they
come in, because they're a little shocked when they see all
these people of color manning the stations! (Laughs) "
Jenkins says those voting days are a huge benefit to the
group, and they leave with a newfound respect for all of the
work that goes into running a voting precinct.
" We get paid from the county, and we donate that to
our scholarship fund, so we enjoy that, " he continued. " It's
a long day - I walk away with a deep appreciation for poll
workers. You're in there at like 5:30 in the morning, and
you don't get out of there until 10 or 11 at night! It's a fun
day, though - at the end of the day, you're drained and it's
a good feeling that you've accomplished something. "
Jenkins stresses that anyone is welcome to join the
Sophisticated Gents, and their members are very active
within the group.
" First of all, we're an open organization, " he said.
" Anyone can join us. Sometimes our wives help us, and
again, we collaborate a lot with the African-American Club
on these events. Our members participate - we don't have
many that sit on the bench. "
Jenkins and the rest of the Sophisticated Gents are
dedicated to giving back to The Villages community and
beyond through acts of service and promoting education -
a cause that is near and dear to their hearts.
" There's an impression out there that African
Americans are always taking - they're always on the
receiving side, " Jenkins said. " We want to really counter
that image and show that we give back. We wanted to be a
visible presence. "

TED BRISTOL
AND ALLEN
JENKINS

THE SOPHISTICATED GENTS
For more information on the
Sophisticated Gents or to learn
how to join, visit sophisticatedgentsfl.org
MAGAZINE

11



http://www.sophisticatedgentsfl.org

The Villages - April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - April 2021

Contents
The Villages - April 2021 - Cover1
The Villages - April 2021 - Contents
The Villages - April 2021 - 1
The Villages - April 2021 - 2
The Villages - April 2021 - 3
The Villages - April 2021 - 4
The Villages - April 2021 - 5
The Villages - April 2021 - 6
The Villages - April 2021 - 7
The Villages - April 2021 - 8
The Villages - April 2021 - 9
The Villages - April 2021 - 10
The Villages - April 2021 - 11
The Villages - April 2021 - 12
The Villages - April 2021 - 13
The Villages - April 2021 - 14
The Villages - April 2021 - 15
The Villages - April 2021 - 16
The Villages - April 2021 - 17
The Villages - April 2021 - 18
The Villages - April 2021 - 19
The Villages - April 2021 - 20
The Villages - April 2021 - 21
The Villages - April 2021 - 22
The Villages - April 2021 - 23
The Villages - April 2021 - 24
The Villages - April 2021 - 25
The Villages - April 2021 - 26
The Villages - April 2021 - 27
The Villages - April 2021 - 28
The Villages - April 2021 - 29
The Villages - April 2021 - 30
The Villages - April 2021 - 31
The Villages - April 2021 - 32
The Villages - April 2021 - 33
The Villages - April 2021 - 34
The Villages - April 2021 - 35
The Villages - April 2021 - 36
The Villages - April 2021 - 37
The Villages - April 2021 - 38
The Villages - April 2021 - 39
The Villages - April 2021 - 40
The Villages - April 2021 - 41
The Villages - April 2021 - 42
The Villages - April 2021 - 43
The Villages - April 2021 - 44
The Villages - April 2021 - 45
The Villages - April 2021 - 46
The Villages - April 2021 - 47
The Villages - April 2021 - 48
The Villages - April 2021 - 49
The Villages - April 2021 - 50
The Villages - April 2021 - 51
The Villages - April 2021 - 52
The Villages - April 2021 - 53
The Villages - April 2021 - 54
The Villages - April 2021 - 55
The Villages - April 2021 - 56
The Villages - April 2021 - 57
The Villages - April 2021 - 58
The Villages - April 2021 - 59
The Villages - April 2021 - 60
The Villages - April 2021 - 61
The Villages - April 2021 - 62
The Villages - April 2021 - 63
The Villages - April 2021 - 64
The Villages - April 2021 - 65
The Villages - April 2021 - 66
The Villages - April 2021 - 67
The Villages - April 2021 - 68
The Villages - April 2021 - 69
The Villages - April 2021 - 70
The Villages - April 2021 - 71
The Villages - April 2021 - 72
The Villages - April 2021 - Cover3
The Villages - April 2021 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol6
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol5
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol4
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/DreamALittleDream-RRO
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol3
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol2
https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com