The Eustis Elks Lodge’s Anna Miller Circle conducted a fundraising auction March 16-24 to send local children in need to summer camp at the Florida Elks Youth Camp. There were 49 auction items, including alcohol gift baskets, home goods and gift certificates. The total profits were $2,378, which will cover almost 11 children. The Elks worked closely with the Anna Miller Circle to allow auction ticket sales at their lodge meeting, the charity barbecue and St. Patrick's Day event. The committee was chaired by Cindy Bennet, Joyce Denzer and Andrea Fernandez.
Pictured with the auction items are Nell Tingue, Anna Miller Circle member, and Cindy Gunther, lodge member.
On March 15, Winter Garden Elks used funds from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to purchase a $600 commercial deep fryer, meats, cheese, plates and bowls for the Russell Home for Atypical Children in Orlando. The nonprofit facility provides care for severely disabled children in a home-like setting.
Pictured are Ronnie Bradshaw, Exalted Ruler; Pam DePriest, Grant Coordinator; and Bob Szollosy, PER. Also pictured are Ronnie Bradshaw and Mark Wallick, PER with the fryer and supplies.
On March 22, Eustis Elks participated in the Eustis Georgefest parade with the Drug Awareness trailer. Four members walking in the parade gave out 350 Drug Awareness bags filled with Elks brochures and Eustis Elks pencils to the adults and 1,500 Elks logo suckers to the kids.
On Dec. 23, Winter Garden Elks donated at least 100 nonperishable items to the Ocoee Christian Center for its pantry. The center operates daily to provide meals, rent and clothing. The lodge also donated $500 to the center to help with holidays.
The Eustis Anna Miller Circle sponsored an angel tree, and its members, along with lodge members and the community, provided both the "needs" and "wants" of 100 children from Eustis Elementary School. Donors selected an angel from the tree and either shopped for them or donated funds for lodge shoppers to buy items. Toys and clothing were wrapped in 800 boxes and bags and filled five vehicles, which were delivered Dec. 12. Cindy Bennett chaired the project and delivered the gifts with Dick Witt, Nancy Karnell, Rick Bennett, Jean Witt and Barry Karnell.
Pictured are gifts under the tree in the lodge lobby.