On March 3, Palm Coast Lodge donated $6,500 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Gratitude grants to the Family Life Center, an organization that provides essential support services to individuals and families to end domestic and sexual violence.
Pictured are Rob Kronen, trustee; Pete Lehnertz, trustee; Danielle Pierro, Esteemed Leading Knight; Bill Hall, trustee; Ralph Dodge, PER; Trish Giaconne, Family Life Center CEO; Bob Williams, Exalted Ruler; Jim Wall, member; Crissy Clancy, Secretary; Brad Lake, Loyal Knight; and Theresa Cirelli, trustee.
On Feb. 2, Palm Coast Elks Lodge #2709 made a donation of $3,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Gratitude grants to the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church to aid families in financial crisis by assisting with electric and water bills.
Pictured are Reverend Jose Panthaplamthottiyil; Tom Brand, PDD; and Bob Williams, Exalted Ruler.
On Feb. 28, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 donated $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Kids House of Seminole Inc. Children’s Advocacy Center, located in Sanford, Florida. Kids House of Seminole is dedicated to preventing child abuse and helping survivors of child abuse and their families by providing coordinated services in a safe, child-friendly environment from report and investigation through treatment and resolution.
Pictured are Robbie Robertson, lodge member; Morgan Lewis, development director of Kids House of Seminole; and John Williams, lodge member.
On Feb. 22, Port Orange Lodge donated $360 to the Florida Elks Youth Camp, which was raised by raffling a valentine basket during their Friday bingo event. Pictured are Bette Dealey, bingo chair, and Nick Miller, PDD, Florida Elks Youth Camp Director.
On Jan. 26, Port Orange Lodge hosted bicyclists and support staff from the Brotherhood Ride, which began in Naples, Florida, and concluded in Jacksonville, Florida. The lodge made arrangements for the bicyclists to shower at the Port Orange YMCA and provided dinner and sleeping accommodations as well as breakfast the following morning before their departure. This event was subsidized through a donation given by Volusia Regional Community Charities and the lodge’s charity fund.
Pictured are Brotherhood Riders, support staff and City of Port Orange firefighters.
On Jan. 23, DeLand Elks Lodge #1463 donated $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Love Like Lyndsey Loved, a foundation that assists children with special needs and their families in Volusia and Flagler counties.
Pictured with representatives of the foundation are Robert Hennesy, lodge chaplain, and Scott Sandersfield, Exalted Ruler.
Members of Merritt Island Elks Lodge #2650 provided a spaghetti dinner for law enforcement and fire and rescue personnel Jan. 20 at the lodge. Fifteen law enforcement officers and five fire and rescue members attended. Lodge members also delivered 10 meals to the fire and rescue station.
On Dec. 17, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 hosted its second annual Christmas for Kids event. The event was free to families and featured various craft stations, cookie decorating, a hot cocoa bar, a pizza lunch, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. All children and families were able to get their picture taken with Santa, who also had a gift for each of the kids. Photos taken from the event as well as the photos with Santa were available to the families at no cost through the lodge website. The event was a great success and surpassed last year’s event with more than 100 kids and more than 300 people total in attendance.
Pictured are member Natalie Carver volunteering at the craft table; Bo Lindstrom, PER and member Lenny Albrecht serving pizza to a family; and a view of the multiple stations.
On Dec. 10, Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 and Elroy the Elk (“minor” member James Lindstrom) participated once again in the City of Sanford’s annual Parade of Lights. Members and volunteers decorated the show-stopping float, featuring Florida Elks state charities, and passed out candy to parade spectators. Also with them was Beth Thiers, occupational therapist of Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services.
On Jan. 7, Brooklyn Beltz in age group 10-11 and Hannah Archer in age group 8-9, were sponsored by Port Orange Elks Lodge #2723 in the District Hoop Shoot. Trophies were presented by Dean Yeager, PER, State Hoop Shoot Vice Chair. Both participants advanced to the regional tournament held Jan. 21 in Sanford.
On Nov. 23 using its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, Ormond Beach Elks Lodge #2193 provided entire Thanksgiving meals to local families in need.
Pictured are members who helped shop, gather and deliver meals — Steve and Debbie Brozyna, Bev and Carl Muscatello, Flipper McAllister, Joe Brozyna, and James Wood. Not pictured is Gerri Madden. Also pictured are some members making a delivery.
Merritt Island Elks Lodge hosted a breakfast and a visit with Santa Dec. 17 at the lodge. The event was open to the public and each child received an ornament.
Pictured are members Marlene Skibba; Santa (Nick Skibba, PER, trustee); and Kathy Skibba, PER, Lodge Secretary. Liam is grandson.