North District

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Written by Perry Elks

Perry Lodge hosted its 16th annual breakfast with Santa Dec. 7. It took three evenings to transform the banquet room into Candy Cane Lane and Santa’s workshop and only two hours to clear it out after the event was over. This year the event was dedicated to the memory of PDD Lee Bennett. The lodge served over 500 parents and children breakfast, entertained with a few impromptu songs, danced around the room, and sent each child home with a present that they helped build in Santa’s workshop. The community supported this event and Michael Lynn Inc., contractor; Padgett Tree Service; Advanced Refrigeration; Foley Spotting Services; Impact Collision; Ragans Ace Hardware; and Bassett’s Dairy were sponsors.

Volunteers and Taylor County Middle School students pose at Perry Lodge’s breakfast with Santa Dec. 7.

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Written by Perry Elks

On Oct. 26, the Florida Forest Festival was held and Elroy the Elk (lodge member Paul Miller Jr.) was in the parade, much to the delight of the kids in attendance. The lodge was also pleased to host the return of the Mr. & Mrs. Tourist for the Florida Forest Festival. Mr. & Mrs. Tourist were picked from the visiting RV campers for the past year. They attended the downtown events Friday night, rode in the parade Saturday morning, received the key to the city from the mayor, and were honored guests at the Florida Forest Festival Elks ball.

Thanksgiving food baskets were prepared by Perry Lodge and distributed by Taylor County United. Seven baskets were loaded with nonperishable items and each basket included a $50 gift card for purchase of additional food. The lodge also sent six gifts to the Lake City VA Domiciliary for Thanksgiving and bought clothes and toys for 16 children in Taylor County.

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Written by Perry Elks

Perry Elks Lodge #1851 sponsored a Soccer Shoot Oct. 12 with eight kids from the community attending. First place winners and their parents traveled to Tavares, Fla., for the regional Soccer Shoot Dec. 14. All first place winners advanced to the state Soccer Shoot Jan. 4 at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Fla. Pictured are the regional Soccer Shoot winners.

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Written by Live Oak Elks

For the holiday season, Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 partnered with the Suwannee County Economic Council to assemble Christmas baskets and chose families to receive those baskets, this year going to more elders and veterans. Lodge members donated nonperishable items.

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Written by Lake City Elks

Lake City Elks Lodge’s Hoop Shoot was held Dec. 17. Trey Hosford and Jay Swisher helped to ensure the event’s success and involved the community to show they care about youth.

On Dec. 21, Lake City Lodge delivered Christmas food baskets to help community families in need. Donations of food, both nonperishable and uncooked turkeys from members, help fund this event as well as proceeds from the lodge’s Christmas raffle tickets. A silent auction was also conducted in early December. Santa visited the lodge Dec. 24 and gave presents to all the kids from the community who attended.