North Central District

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Written by David Clayton

On July 23, members of Ocala Elks Lodge #286 visited Stirrups and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center in Citra, Florida, and presented a $4,000 check to the riding center — half from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and half from the matching funds from the Florida State Elks Association. Funds will be used to provide supplies the program needs to recover after being suspended due to COVID-19, specifically feed, hay and support for events. Additionally, members will volunteer at events and wear lodge shirts to represent the organization. Stirrups and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007. Their certified riding instructors provide therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving to anyone with physical, mental or emotional challenges. Their vision is to give the gift of educational, emotional and physical growth to these individuals through horsemanship and competition. The program supports activities with the Special Olympics, veterans’ programs and the Hillcrest Public School’s students with special needs.

Pictured are Gail McDaniels; Lois Leighton; Linda Butler Moulton; Betty Gray; Kathy, Betty Gray’s daughter; Bob Adler; Wayne Argo, Exalted Ruler; Gigi Argo; George Griffin; and Pat Patricia Miller. Not pictured is Mike Miller.

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Written by Carole Ingram

The Inverness Elks Lodge #2522 bingo committee donated $1,000 to Jessie’s Place, the Citrus County Children’s Advocacy Center. The bingo committee donates a portion of the earnings to various children’s and veterans’ groups in Citrus County, Florida.

Pictured July 11 at the lodge are Jim Bell; Rachel Blair, Jessie’s Place executive assistant; Mike Woythaler; Jack Trafalski; and John Miller.

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Written by Eustis Elks

Eustis Lodge held its annual first responder appreciation dinner and awards presentation Feb. 21. Multiple cities and departments were represented. Ron Locke, Exalted Ruler, awards Jeff Hosterman the Firefighter of the Year award, presented by Chief Richard Keith of the Tavares Fire Department. Locke awards Crystal Vicchiollo as Lake EMS Paramedic of the Year, recommended by her director, Jerry Smith.

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

On Feb. 21, the Anna Miller Circle of Eustis Lodge #1578 packed welcome kits at the lodge for The Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties, a shelter for women who have survived rape or abuse. They offer extensive programs to help survivors with housing, food and classes as well as assistance in transitioning to a safer and healthier life. They also help their children in both school and legal settings as advocates in the children's time of need. Eight Anna Miller members, one guest and one lodge member packed 150 adult welcome kits, 100 children's welcome kits and 28 birthday kits. The adult kits contain soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, deodorant and a razor. The children's kits contain soap, shampoo, conditioner, a children's toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, lip balm and a small toy. The birthday kits contain cake mix, frosting and candles so mothers can bake a cake for any child who is in the shelter on their birthday. This donation also contained blankets, coloring books and large cereal boxes plus 19 children's videos and 29 full-size items for use at the safe house. The value of this donation was $2,764.

Pictured packing (from left front around to front right) Mary Wilkins, Cindy Bennett, Marc Cunningham, Anna Boykin, Bonnie Smith, Jean Witt, Mary Ann Cerney and Joyce Denzer.

Vicki Mercadante is pictured packing birthday kits and counting full-size items.

Pictured with the packed kits are Anna Boykin, Marc Cunningham, Suzanne Cunningham, Joyce Denzer, Cindy Bennett, Bonnie Smith, Mary Wilkins, Vicki Mercadante, Jean Witt and Mary Ann Cerney.

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

On Feb. 5, the Eustis Anna Miller Circle 1578 held its yearly cake auction to benefit the Florida Elks major projects — the Florida Elks Youth Camp and Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services. Those in attendance included lodge members and Florida Elks attending the Florida State Elks quarterly meeting. Ron Locke, PDD, Exalted Ruler, acted as auctioneer. The auction raised $2,550, which was presented to Dayna Miller, State Harry-Anna Trust Fund Chair. 

Pictured is the display of cakes baked by the Anna Miller Circle members.