On Dec. 18, Lake City Lodge and Halpatter Brewing Company co-hosted the fourth annual Santa Jam. This event raises funds and collects toys for the lodge’s annual Santa’s toy party for children. The event raises awareness of the party and has many community and lodge volunteers including local bands that perform. This year’s participating bands were Black River Harvesters, Wally Germany and Friends, Branford HWY and Clean Slate Band. The event raised nearly $1,100 for the Christmas party.
Lake City Lodge has held Santa’s toy party for children for 90 years. On Dec. 24, Santa met with more than 250 children and each child received at least one toy and a bicycle thanks to the generous support of the members and community, who raised over $6,000.
Pictured is a Lake City Fire Department firefighter driving Santa Claus (Joshua Fuller, Lecturing Knight) and his helpers (PDD Christopher Lydick, Danielle Evans and Michelle Fuller) to the lodge in an antique firetruck.
Also pictured are Delia Howe and Shelby Romine looking at a toy baby stroller in Santa’s toy shoppe during the party.
Lake City Lodge held its annual Hoop Shoot Dec. 14 at Columbia High School. Fifty local youth aged 8 to 13 participated in this free throw competition. All participants received medals and trophies were given to the winners. The winners from each age group advanced to the regional competition. Approximately 1,500 local youth participated at the school level. Thirteen lodge members volunteered.
Pictured are Trey Hosford, member and Columbia High School principal; Harper Hosford; Maliek Griffin; Ryleigh Price; Parker Lang; Harliegh Price; Brandon Lovett; and Jay Swisher, PER.
On Nov. 20, Lake City Elks Lodge #893 promoted its drug awareness program at Columbia County’s 200th anniversary Founders Day event. There were more than 1,000 children and families engaged in games and activities throughout the day, and Elroy the Elk was in attendance to greet the children.
Pictured are members John Smith, Elroy the Elk (Bill Roberts) and Dr. Christopher Esing, Founders Day chair.
In early December, Perry Lodge donated $3,000 to the Taylor Senior Citizens Center (TSCC) to help in the replacement cost of their walk-in freezer.
Pictured are Earline Neely, Lodge Secretary; Bill Brynes, member; Fonda Neel, Esquire; and Diane Landry, TSCC Director.
In October, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 began sponsoring “A New Beginning” Cub Scout Troop 603, which held its first meeting at the old Boy Scout Troop 600 facility in Perry, Florida. The lodge sponsors the facility for their meetings and offers financial support.
Pictured Oct. 15 are Dan and Daniel Cassel; Jesse and Jameson Young; Adrienne, Catalina and Desmond Tish; Levi, Pierce and Jackson Lowry; and Brian Tish, cubmaster.