Florida Elks News Editor:
Rachael King
 
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Florida State Elks Association Inc.
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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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1892

The Green Cove Springs lodge #1892 participated in the City of Green Cove Springs Christmas festivities.  On December 1st, 14 Elks and 8 helpers packed age appropriate gift bags for infants up to teens. Thanks to the generosity of the Lodge Members and PER Association,  on December 7th, 15 Elks and 10 helpers distributed bags to over 300 local children.  

 

829 bears

St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 heard that the St. John’s Sheriff’s Department needed a donation of bears for its Cuddly Care program. Lodge member Cathy Walsh ordered the bears and took donations from lodge members as well. Leading Knight, Connie Sarnowski, delivered the 47 bears to the sheriff’s department. The mission of the program is to raise the spirits of patients at Flagler Hospital and local nursing homes and has been in existence for nearly 20 years. Many organizations, businesses and private citizens have generously contributed to this program by collecting hundreds of thousands of stuffed animals that have brought smiles to numerous patients’ faces.

St. Augustine Lodge Leading Knight, Connie Sarnowski, delivers teddy bears to Deputy Sharon Borra and Community Affairs Specialist, James Desmond, for the St. John’s Sheriff’s Department cuddly bear program.

 

1892 guitar recital

Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 utilized the Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to fund summer guitar lessons for local students. The lodge purchased materials for 10 students and hired a guitar instructor, Marty Farmer, who provided seven hour-long group lessons throughout the summer. Lunch was provided at each session. On July 24, the students performed a recital for approximately 70 Elks and family members and stayed as guests for dinner after the performance.

 

          990 dunk booth 990 edmands

On June 20, Gainesville Elks Lodge #990 hosted its annual Splash Day to raise awareness for autism and to benefit the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) which is associated with the University of Florida. There were 156 participants who attended the fun-filled and informative afternoon event. Using the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and lodge donations, 33 volunteers, including Florida Elks therapist Val Edmands, helped raise awareness of CARD and its services.

Gainesville Lodge member Austin Roper takes a turn in the dunking booth as Dustin Klein tries to dunk him. Dustin’s father is member Jason Klein. Dustin brought his own money to donate at the dunking booth.

FECTS therapist Valerie Edmands was on hand to share information with families. She is pictured with Margie Garlin from CARD.

 

1892 fashions

Green Cove Springs Lodge hosted the third Northeast District Florida Ladies of Elks (FLOE) fashion show May 6. FLOE Treasurer Linda Rittenhouse and 18 lodge volunteers modeled the casual wear, set up and decorated the lodge, and prepared and served the food to the delight of the show’s 81 attendees. Tiffany Ruff of RESORT FASHIONS presented the fashions for sale aided by six ladies from Green Cove Springs Lodge who modeled the casualwear. The show raised $1,581.46 for Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services and the Florida Elks Youth Camp.

Shirley Orvosh, Nancy Klopfenstein, Joy Elrod, Barbara Giansanti, Joi Thomas and Debi Langeluttig (members and spouses) model fashions at the Northeast District FLOE fashion show held at Green Cove Springs Lodge May 6.