Northeast District

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Written by St. Augustine Eland Ladies & Green Cove Springs Elks

On Sept. 11, the Florida Ladies of Elks Eland chapter of St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829, in conjunction with Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892, held a fashion show and luncheon in support of Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services and the Florida Elks Youth Camp. Lodge members modeled the fashions and helped prepare the luncheon. Linda Rittenhouse, PSP-FLOE and Judy Reyes, PSP-FLOE planned the event, which raised $778.

Pictured are Nancy Klopfenstein, member; Patsy Weston, House Committee member; Judy Reyes, PSP-FLOE; Tiffany Rupp, fashion show consultant; Shirley Orvosh, volunteer; and Barbara Thompson, Leading Knight. Also pictured are Thresa Hurley, volunteer; Lynn Elrod, Loyal Knight; Pat Buerhaus, kitchen manager; Bonnie Conti, Inner Guard; and Jeff Phillips, member, preparing lunch, along with guests enjoying lunch before the show.

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Written by Deborah Reedy, PER

Jacksonville Elks Lodge members donated approximately $300 in school supplies for Hogan Spring-Glen Elementary School.

Member Sarah Schllesinger, pictured in the center in blue, led the collection during the Christmas-in-July event July 30. She is pictured with other lodge members.

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Written by Patti Shipley

The St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 Community Outreach Committee presented funds from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to two deserving charities. Home Again St. Johns, which provides temporary housing, training and additional resources to those experience homelessness, received a check for $1,750, plus an additional $1,100 in lodge donations. Pictured March 16 are lodge members Kevin Walsh, Liz Bastedo, Rich Bastedo, Cathy Walsh, Rachel Fulghum (case manager) and Randy Cook, PER. Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition, which provides support to families experiencing homelessness, received a check for $1,750. Pictured March 29 are Debi Redding, director, and Kevin Walsh, trustee chair.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On May 19, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 hosted a  sixth grade graduation luncheon for the students at  Charles E. Bennett Elementary School This annual event is held to celebrate the students' accomplishments and wish them success as they move to middle school. The lodge was decorated in the school colors. In attendance to speak to the students and assist with the luncheon were Mary Bolla, school board chair and lodge member; John Guzman, local police chief; and Steve Kelley, city council member. Eighty students, 10 school faculty and staff members, and 20 volunteers were in attendance as well. Sixth grader David Robinson was presented with the Student of the Year award. Rick Kunze, PER attended a later event at the school to present an award to sixth grader Paisleigh Blankenship, who was unable to attend the luncheon at the lodge. Pictured are David Robinson and his parent as he is presented the Student of the Year award by Rick Kunze, PER; Al Williams, Exalted Ruler; Gene Rittenhouse, PDD; Chief Guzman; and Councilman Kelley. Also pictured are Chief Guzman addressing the students and the lodge volunteers.

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Written by Gainesville Elks

On March 9, Susan Senterfitt, Exalted Ruler of Gainesville Elks Lodge #990, presented a $500 check to Mackenzie Shaw, a Legacy Scholarship recipient attending the University of Florida. The donation, from the Exalted Ruler’s stipend, will support Noah’s Endeavor, a nonprofit which provides activities such as bowling and field days for those with special needs. Through her course and volunteer work at UF, Shaw and others have partnered with Noah's Endeavor to secure sponsors and donations.