Northeast District

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Written by Bill Senterfitt, PER

On March 17, Gainesville Elks Lodge #990 presented a $900 donation to the PALS (Partners in Adolescent Lifestyle Support) program. PALS THRIVE strives to prevent suicide, violence and bullying by providing an inclusive atmosphere in schools and professional intervention and programming. The $900 came from the lodge’s award for first place in the State President’s grant competition. New member Lynn Read accepts the donation from Susan Senterfitt, Exalted Ruler. Read has supported PALS for years.

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Written by Deborah McCabe Reedy

Using approximately $1,450 of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 provided six local families with Christmas gifts and a holiday dinner which were delivered by Santa. Members enjoyed shopping, wrapping and delivering all the gifts to the families. Chair of this project, Betsy Bryant, is pictured wrapping gifts. Santa is also pictured with a thankful mother.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On Nov. 24, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 donated 40 hams and turkeys to the Green Cove Springs Police Department to assist in their holiday community outreach. These were delivered to local families to help with their holiday dinners. Pictured are Richard Felkey, lodge member, and his wife, Delores Felkey; Gerilynn Barton, evidence custodian and lodge member; Commander Shawn Hines; Officer Josh Lee; and Officer Nick Rubin.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On Dec. 1, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 donated $1,000 from its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Green Cove Springs Food Pantry to assist their community. The lodge also maintains an ongoing collection bin for the food pantry in which members and guests have generously donated upward of 300 pounds of food over the last several months. Pictured are Gene Rittenhouse, Northeast District Deputy; Cheryl Royal, Lecturing Knight; Nancy and Gale Klopenstein, food pantry volunteers and lodge members; Linda Rittenhouse, FLOE President; and Monica Padgett, lodge member.

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Written by Deborah McCabe Reedy

Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 held another joint shredding event and food drive Nov. 14 to benefit Feeding Northeast Florida, an organization in Jacksonville that helps local children and families, seniors, and active and retired military members who struggle to put food on the table, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. The lodge received a donation to pay for the shredding truck to be on hand at the food drive to draw attention and entice the community to drop off documents to be shredded in exchange for a donation of nonperishable food. Including lodge members’ recent food donations, the total after this event amounted to 628 pounds of food which is enough for 525 meals. Pictured are William Watson, Exalted Ruler; Pat Harth and Kathy Glass, members; and Robin Pipkins, Elks National Foundation Lodge Project Coordinator.