Boca Raton Elks Lodge #2166 held a Flag Day ceremony June 12. Boca Raton Scout Troop 336 presented the flags for the ceremony, and Exalted Ruler Vincent Como presided. After the ceremony, 20 members and the scouts and their parents stayed for a dinner. Pictured are the scouts presenting the flags, Como and Pat Maher, PDD, chaplain.
On April 9, Delray Beach Elks Lodge #1770 awarded 2020 awards to Delray’s first responders of the year. Ten Elks officers and committee chairs gathered at the Delray Fire Department’s open-air garage for a more COVID-safe ceremony. Pictured are members John Van Zant, Kim Van Sant, and Mary Wilson; Driver Engineer Eric Varano, Delray Beach Firefighter of the Year (presented by Division Chief Sean Gibson); member Kristina Lebrevelec; Captain Matthew Fick, Delray Beach Firefighter of the Year (presented by Division Chief Sean Gibson); member James Eaton; Lifeguard Julia Sheffer, Delray Beach Ocean Rescue of the Year (presented by Division Chief Phil Wotton); Officer Damien Ferraiolo, Police Officer of the Year (presented by Delray Police Chief Javaro Sims); member Carol Eaton; Exalted Ruler, Roger Cope; member Nancy Handler; and commissioner and member, Ryan Boylston.
On Feb. 11 using the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, Hollywood West Elks Lodge #2365 presented $2,000 in Publix gift cards to the Hope Outreach Center to assist those in need. Pictured in the front are John Allison, Exalted Ruler, and Joanne Robinson, Hope Outreach Director. In the back are Jim Blanchard, District Vice President; Peggy Felthaus, Treasurer; JoAnn Caliendo, Secretary; Gerry Goodwin, Lecturing Knight; and Ed Scanlon, House Committee Chair.
Boca Raton Elks Lodge #2166 was used as a polling place for the elections this year, and many members were trained to be poll workers. To thank the Elks for the use of the hall, the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections donated $1,980.00 to the lodge. Pictured are Tito Young, Exalted Ruler; Vic Weliky, member; Catherine MacDonald, member; Shirley Board, Loyal Knight; Judy Lamey, media relations specialist for the Palm Beach County Elections Office; and John DeCicco, trustee.
Delray Beach Elks Lodge #1770, using a donation of $500, donated 18,000 books to elementary schools in Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach, Florida. On Dec. 5, the lodge donated $1,000 to the Palm Beach County Food Bank’s Empty Bowls fundraiser. On Dec. 14, the lodge donated $2,000 for the city of Delray’s holiday toy drive and to Heroes and Helpers. These projects fund Christmas presents for children and families in Delray Beach. On Dec. 15, the lodge sponsored ADVA’s (Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence) 21st annual Race for Hope with a donation of $500. The race took place Jan. 21.