On April 29, Lake City Elks Lodge #893 held a golf tournament at Quail Heights Country Club with more than 20 teams of golfers. More than $15,000 was raised for high school scholarships. Greg Beckman, golf committee chair, and many lodge volunteers worked tirelessly to host this major annual event for the benefit of the youth in Columbia County.
Pictured are members Tom Elinsakas, Ron Foreman, Tim Griffith and Greg Beckman, golf committee chair.
On May 23, Tallahassee Elks Lodge hosted a teacher's appreciation lunch at Gretchen Everhart School in Tallahassee, Florida. The lodge donated and prepared 199 plates of burgers and chips for teachers and staff.
Pictured are lodge members Richard Peckham; Jeff Dorband, PER; Tom Walden, PDD; and Don Dobson, PER.
On Dec. 3, Perry Elks Riders held their first toy run for Guardian Ad Litem. Elks Rider officers Chris Lynn, Glenn Frith and Ricky Norman coordinated the event and recruited participants. The event raised $4,275. Elks Rider Susan Lynn presented a check to representative Jeanne Hardin.
On Dec. 10, Perry Lodge held its Breakfast with Santa, serving 572 children and parents. Sponsors included Michael Lynn Construction, Madison Community Bank, Big Top Manufacturing, H.B. Tuten Logging, Advanced Refrigeration, American Aluminum, Impact Collision, BCFCU, Capital City Bank, His Hers & Ours Salon, Mauldin Collision, TG Lee Diary, Andy Jackson, and Perry First Assembly of God.
Perry Lodge hosted a Special Olympics group Dec. 17 for a meal, visit with Santa and a takehome gift of oranges, donated by member Andy Jackson. There was a sundae bar with toppings for the children to choose.
As they have done for more than 90 years, Lake City Elks Lodge #893 assisted the community with Christmas events. On Dec. 23, more than 50 volunteers delivered 70 turkeys and food baskets to community members. The lodge used $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to purchase the nonperishable items. Pictured are members Kris Robertson; Paul Lippi Sr., Paul Lippi Jr., Kim Evans and Julie Schwarz. The 42 extra turkeys were donated to Lad’s Soup Kitchen in Lake City. On Dec. 24, the lodge hosted its annual Christmas extravaganza for 216 children, who were invited to choose some toys to take home. Santa arrived on the city’s antique firetruck.
On June 14, Tallahassee Elks Lodge held its Flag Day ceremony, which was open to the public. Bryce Thornton, on the left, is pictured with Jeff Dorband, Exalted Ruler. Thornton was the guest speaker and spoke about the importance and symbolism of the flag to him as a World War II veteran. He added that it was 79 years ago June 14 that he joined the Army. He is now 97 years old, is a 44-year lodge member and has been a life member since October 2009.