North Central District

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Written by Inverness Elks

Daystar Life Center of Citrus County in Crystal River, Florida, received a $1,000 donation, also from Inverness Lodge’s Florida State Elks matching funds of the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Daystar is a charitable organization that provides a food pantry, a thrift store and a social services office. Richard Grosnick, Exalted Ruler, presents the check to Anthony Kopka, Daystar executive director, Dec. 22.

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Written by Inverness Elks

Inverness Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, Richard Grosnick, presents a $1,000 check to Citrus United Basket Dec. 22 using some of the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant matching Florida State Elks funds. Kelly Selplh, executive director, accepts the check.

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Written by Inverness Elks

Inverness Elks Lodge #2522 continues to support the efforts of its sponsored Boy Scout Troop, #302. For his Eagle Scout project, Joseph Cabrera retrofitted an old, discarded mailbox into a depository for retired American flags. Many lodge members as well as the general public inquire about the flag disposal process, so this initiative was most helpful. Lodge member Brad Kline and associate member Bob Aldunati donated the mailbox, and all materials utilized were provided by the lodge. Pictured Dec. 27 with the completed project are Steve Epple, scout leader; Cabrera; and Mike Orndorff, PER, Youth Activities Chair.

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Written by Pam DePriest

Winter Garden Elks Lodge #2165 used part of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to purchase jeans, shirts, socks, jackets, tents, sleeping bags and flashlights for Matthews Hope, a homeless ministry in West Orange County. Pictured Dec. 16 are lodge members Sharlene Dewitz, Ellen Snyder and Pam DePriest. 

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Written by Denise Kalman-Smith

South Lake Elks knew they could not do their regular outreach events this year and felt it was best to get many agencies together to create a large collaborative effort. Christmas Across South Lake was created by South Lake Elks to help make Christmas a little brighter this holiday season for children in the South Lake community. Elk volunteers distributed 146 toy collection boxes and several Angel Tree tags to numerous businesses all over the area. Local businesses encouraged their customers to drop off toys in their collection boxes and offered their customers free or discounted items for their donation. Also, approximately 48 nonprofits, civic clubs, service groups, schools and police departments participated by either making donations or gathering toys.

An online application was set up for those wanting to sign up to receive something. The link was shared with churches, schools, civic organizations, police and fire departments, the mayor's office and other nonprofit organizations. Everyone who applied received something.

Collections for new toys, gifts and food began Nov. 9, and the last toy was distributed Dec. 24. A warehouse was donated for use by a member of the community and each family was called and given a date of pickup which was a drive-thru setup. Volunteers wearing masks loaded toys and foods in their vehicles.

The lodge spent its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant which was matched by the Florida State Elks Association for a total of $7,000 entirely on food for the families. Members shopped groceries which were greatly discounted for the Elks by Winn-Dixie. The lodge used its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to purchase bicycles since that was a major request. The lodge donated an additional $2,000 and the rest came from donations from the community.

The impact this endeavor made was tremendous — 2,510 children and 725 families in the Clermont, Minneola, Montverde, Groveland and Mascotte area received a boost this holiday season. A total of 610 food baskets were distributed as well.