Northeast District

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

Members and volunteers from Green Cove Springs Lodge were among those who spent three Saturdays in November setting up 227 Christmas trees in Spring Park. Each tree was then decorated by families, businesses and organizations.

Pictured are volunteer coordinators Laquetta Willimon, trustee, and Joy Elrod, Loyal Knight.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On Oct. 26, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 held a charity bingo night to support Clay Cates Boutique. This project, led by Clay High School freshman Maggie Mosley and counselor Dana Brock, provides toiletries, food and clothing to students. The lodge donated $1,500 as well as boxes of donated items from lodge members. 

Pictured are the approximately 70 bingo attendees and volunteers. Also pictured are Randolph and Louisa Padgett, grandparents of Maggie Mosley; Mary Bolla, school board member and lodge member; Lynn Elrod, Exalted Ruler; Maggie Mosley; Kelly Mosley, mother of Maggie Mosley; Dana Brock, counselor; Jennifer Halter, principal; and Ed Weston, PER, bingo chair.

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Written by Deborah Reedy, PER

Jacksonville Lodge hosted a children’s Christmas party Dec. 17, funded by the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Betsy Bryant and her committee shopped for presents, wrapped gifts, prepared food, set up the room, and interacted with the children and parents who attended. Nine families were invited this year, which included 26 children from Hogan Spring-Glen Elementary School. There were coloring books at the tables and there was story time with the lodge's Elks Legacy scholarship winner, Marissa. Attendees also made ornaments and decorated rice cereal treats. Santa met with the children and he and elf Carole Shapley gave them all gifts. Each child received $125 in toys and clothing, and every family received a $100 Publix gift card to purchase food for a holiday dinner. A book was also given to each child.

Pictured are attendees making ornaments, the volunteers, and Santa with a child.

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Written by Alise Taylor-Sindab

On Dec. 14, Orange Park Elks Lodge #2605 donated 10 holiday baskets to 10 families of students at Ortega Elementary, a Title I school. The school provided a list of names of the 10 families, with the names of all the family’s children,  ranging from 6 months to 20 years. Each family received a Christmas dinner, which included mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, green beans, corn, yams, gravy, and cranberry sauce, as well as a Christmas greeting with a $25 grocery gift card. A total of 41 kids received toys, school supplies, holiday candies and a winter jacket.

Pictured at the school delivery are Kenneth Fraley, vice principal, (kneeling; Michelle Tidbits, paraprofessional; Shannon Rose-Hammond, principal; Alise Taylor-Sindab, Exalted Ruler; Sandy Valmir, data entry, CRT; Judy Daniel, Lodge Treasurer; and Tony Bergmann, member.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On Dec. 13, Green Cove Springs Lodge donated $1,000 from bingo to the J.P. Hall Foundation, along with more than 100 toys donated throughout the month by members and guests. The foundation has held an annual toy giveaway for more than 40 years. 

Pictured are Ron Snow, PDD and Ken Jolly of the J.P. Hall Foundation.