Florida Elks News Editor:
Rachael King
 
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Florida State Elks Association Inc.
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
352-669-9443

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2165 Valencia

On March 2, Winter Garden Elks Lodge #2165 held a fundraiser at the lodge for Orlando, Fla., police officer Kevin Valencia. He was shot in the line of duty June 18, 2018, while responding to a domestic violence call in which the suspect killed four children and then himself. Valencia had been at Good Shephard Hospital in Atlanta for treatment for his head injuries but was recently brought back home to Orlando to an undisclosed facility so he could be closer to his family. His recovery does not have a very promising future. He has a wife and two young children. The lodge fundraiser included barbecue dinners, raffles, and private donations and raised $21,000 for his family to help with the ongoing costs that they will have for a very long time.

 

2522 drug essay

Inverness Elks Lodge #2522 held their award presentation March 1 for Ava Rueck, winner of the state Drug Awareness essay contest. Ava is a sixth-grader at Lecanto Middle School. She and her family were invited to the lodge for dinner and the award presentation of a Kindle Fire, a framed certificate and a $50 check.

Pictured at the presentation at Inverness Lodge March 1 for the state Drug Awareness essay contest winner are George Sevast Jr., North Central District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler; Jim Manos, Inverness Lodge Drug Awareness Chairman; Ava Rueck, essay winner; and Bill McAvay, Exalted Ruler.

 

1578 trainer

On Feb. 11, Eustis Elks Lodge #1578 donated $2,883 for Lake Hills School of Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., to purchase a pacer gait trainer which assists in training children who are wheelchair-bound to use their legs with the possible outcome of walking. Pictured at the check presentation are Patsy Despain, Exalted Ruler; Robin Meyers, principal; Brandy Brown, school PTA; Dee and Bo Borwegen, lodge members; and a Lake Hills student.

 

2522 CUB

Inverness Elks Lodge #2522 presented their annual $1,000 donation to Citrus United Basket Inc. (C.U.B.). Pictured are Mike Orndorf, Loyal Knight; Juanita Emerick, lodge trustee; Kelly Selph, Citrus United Basket Executive Director; and Richard Grosnick, Leading Knight. C.U.B. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created in 1978 to assist Citrus County families facing temporary hardship.

 

1830 gifts

Winter Park Elks Lodge members provided Christmas gifts to 82 children who are in need or homeless. PER Vivian Thomas worked closely with Casselberry Elementary School principal, Mallory Holliday, who provided lodge members with the names, ages and sizes of the school's children in need along with their siblings. Members and volunteers shopped, wrapped, bagged and delivered the gifts to the school prior to the school's holiday break.

Delivering Christmas gifts to children in need at Casselberry Elementary are Ed Eldridge; Bill Cashion; Roberta Mills; PER Ron Goluba; Sue Jovi; assistant principal, Mary Walters-Clark; principal, Mallory Holliday; and Cam Mills.