On Dec. 4, West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 hosted the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Christmas dance at the lodge complete with the food, decorations, DJ, and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
West Palm Beach Lodge donated $500 for the purchase of Christmas presents for the children of parents in a local drug rehabilitation program.
On Dec. 12, West Palm Beach Lodge hosted “Presents with Santa” at the lodge. They invited five families from the schools they have adopted and local patients of Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services. Each child in the family was given gifts and met with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. A donation was also given to the lodge’s local therapist to assist her in purchasing gifts for her patients. Pictured are families from Wynbrooke Elementary along with Eric Boisse, Leading Knight; Minia Cain, Exalted Ruler; Carol Blair, Lodge Secretary; Suzanne Berry, principal; Santa Claus (Roger Dill, Inner Guard); and Mrs. Claus (Libby Dill, Lecturing Knight).
West Palm Beach Lodge contributed to the “Snuggle Up with a Good Book” campaign at Wynbrooke Elementary School in West Palm Beach, Florida. The school gave all 800 students a book, blanket, candy cane and packet of hot chocolate for Christmas Dec. 20. Lodge members donated 400 blankets for this project.
Clewiston Elks Lodge #1853 held a veterans’ appreciation ceremony Nov. 11 for veterans and their families. There were 70 veterans, members and guests in attendance. High school student Peyton Grace Lee sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Jeff Owens, Esquire, presented the American flag. Students from the Clewiston High School Public Service Academy performed a flag-folding ceremony. Frank Sellers, PDD, of Pompano Beach Elks Lodge #1898 and Elks deputy representative to Miami VAMC, gave a speech about veterans’ sacrifices. All veterans were asked to stand and share their name and branch of service. Afterward, attendees were treated to a meal prepared by lodge members.
Lake Okeechobee Elks made themselves visible in the community during the Labor Day festivities Sept. 6 in Okeechobee. The lodge promoted membership, the Southeast District barbecue event, scholarships, and the Soccer and Hoop Shoots and held a drawing for children to win two basketballs.
West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 used its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant along with $500 from the Ladies Auxiliary to donate school supplies to Liberty Park Elementary School, one of five elementary schools the lodge sponsors. The others are Wynnbrooke, Benoist Farms, Hope-Centennial and Greenacres. Pictured at the supplies delivery Aug. 9 are Joe Schneider, vice principal; Elaine Maes-Morey, PER; Ed Morey Jr., PER; two school students; and member Larry Quick.
Troop 109 held its Eagle Scout Court of Honor at Jupiter Lodge Aug. 7 where Aiden Warner received his Eagle Scout medal. He is pictured with his parents, Paul and Beth Warner.