Mandarin-St. Johns Elks Lodge #2866 has been supporting their local community through several collection projects. The lodge has partnered with a group from Jacksonville, Florida, called The Rippers, a group of local women who use their love of sewing for community needs. They are turning donated jeans into backpacks for students who are homeless. Lodge members have donated approximately 30 pairs of jeans for this project. The partnership was formed after a lodge member read about them in a neighborhood newspaper. The lodge is also continuing its tradition of collecting travel-sized toiletries which are then donated to the City Rescue Mission in Jacksonville. The City Rescue Mission provides food, clothing, shelter, emergency services, and residential recovery to those who are homeless. Lodge members have donated approximately 100 travel-sized toiletries. Pictured at the lodge’s collection station are Paul Orvosh, PDD, Lodge Advisor; Christie Easton, Lodge Secretary; and Diane Thompson, Loyal Knight.