Northwest District

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Oct. 28, Destin Lodge awarded the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida. Their mission is to work and assist the poor and vulnerable. Many community neighbors are facing eviction or unable to pay their utility bills due to a job loss or reduced hours. Many are going to bed hungry because they don’t have enough food to feed their families. By caring about the individual needs of those they serve, they are transforming lives and providing hope for the future. Pictured are Arielle May, volunteer; Eva Wise, executive director of Catholic Social Services; Robert Griffin, treasurer; Terri Griffin, Elks National Foundation lodge grant coordinator; Gloria Meade, chaplain; and Nick Hutchinson, volunteer.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Oct. 28, Destin Elks Lodge #2688 awarded $1,750 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Sharing & Caring Inc. of Okaloosa County. The mission of Sharing & Caring is to serve the community as an emergency food bank, providing a basic staple of foods for individuals and families in need who qualify. It is available to anyone who resides within the area of Hurlburt Field on the west, to Destin on the east and to Eglin Air Force Base on the north. Their clients include families, children, seniors, those without homes and those who are unemployed. The majority of clients are often referred to them by churches, social agencies or word of mouth.

Pictured at the check presentation are Robert Griffin, treasurer; Terri Griffin, Elks National Foundation lodge grant coordinator; Michele Seitz of Sharing & Caring; and Gloria Meade, chaplain.

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Written by Harriet Gossett

Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to the Gulf Breeze Weekend Food Program to benefit children in local schools. The program provides weekend food for children in need at Gulf Breeze elementary, middle and high schools. Also included are Oriole Beach Elementary and Woodlawn Beach Middle schools in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Presenting the donation Oct. 4 is Dan Smith, Exalted Ruler, to Mike Stahl, program director.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Sept. 20, Fort Walton Lodge presented the S3 Project of the Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club the $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. The Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club was founded in 1921 and offers community service programs. This grant is specifically for the S3 project with the objective to improve student performance, attendance, personal pride/self-worth and school participation. The grant will be used to purchase the necessary school supplies and personal items as needed for any student in need, including any student experiencing homelessness. Whenever a school identifies a student in need for food, personal health supplies, school supplies, or funding to participate in a school function such as band, it will be funded. As part of its community, the lodge’s goal is to be part of the solution to assist students in achieving academic success and personal growth. Pictured at the check presentation are Taz WrightReynolds, PER, Exalted Ruler; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; Kevin Clemons, PDD, District Leader; Cissy Wyninegar, lodge member; Dr. Vivian Green, Woman’s Club member; Kathy Pacheco, lodge trustee; Tom Knowles, PER; and Paul Eubanks, PER.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Sept. 20, Fort Walton Lodge presented its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Fresh Start for Children and Families. Fresh Start’s primary focus is helping families achieve long-term self-sufficiency through a nine-month residential and educational program. This grant will help refurbish some existing transitional housing units. A prior tenant with many children was evicted for not keeping their end of the housing agreement. Upon leaving, the tenant destroyed appliances and parts of the building. This grant will help provide replacements for this housing unit and much needed support for the mission of Fresh Start for Children and Families. Pictured at the check presentation are Taz WrightReynolds, PER, Exalted Ruler; Wilma Clayton, life skills manager; Sharron Stephens, property manager; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; Paul Eubanks, PER; and Donna Tashik, executive director.

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Written by Harriet Gossett

Pensacola Beach Lodge held a golf tournament Sept. 10 at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Navarre, Florida. A total of 140 golfers participated, including members, nonmembers, friends of members and sponsors, and raised more than $29,000 for the lodge’s charity account. Charities that will benefit from the tournament include Boy Scouts of America, Santa Rosa Kid’s House, Gulf Coast Kid’s House, The Miracle League, Favor House, Bill Bond Baseball, AHERO, Weekend Food Program, Children in Crisis, Salvation Army, Bethany Christian Services, Children’s Home Society, ARC Gateway, USO of Northwest Florida, Council on Aging, Pensacola Beach Elementary School, Army of Hope, Family Fishing Rodeo and Kids Fishing Rodeo. More than 40 volunteers assisted to make the tournament a success. Special events included a hospitality tent, raffle, silent auction, hole-in-one prizes, putting contest and several specialty holes. Awards were given for the top three teams, longest drive and closest to the pin. “I would like to personally thank everyone who came out on this beautiful day to help us raise money for our designated charities. We could not have had such a huge success without the community’s involvement, the golfers and all our volunteers,” remarked Darrell Gossett, tournament chair.

The group picture was taken before the tournament. Also pictured are Gossett as well as member Gary Booker with Dan Smith, Exalted Ruler.