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.