Manasota Lodge partnered with Abel Elementary School after Mary Lauderdale, fourth grade teacher, advised them of their need for white T-shirts in various sizes for their second annual Color Splash Walk-a-Thon Nov. 18. Using the lodge’s matching Beacon Grant funds from the Florida State Elks Association, 125 white t-shirts were purchased and donated. This event is a school fundraiser where students solicit donations before walking in a walk-a-thon with classmates. While they walk a one-mile track, there are six stations where different volunteers and staff members throw colored powder at the kids. At the last station, each student receives a popsicle to enjoy with their classmates. The participants raised money for the school.
Pictured are Jan “Spike” Klocke, lodge grant coordinator; Shawn Wheaton, lodge member; Mary Lauderdale, Abel ES teacher; Jim Klocke, lodge trustee; Elizabeth “Liz” Gardini, Abel ES teacher; and Abigail Reeder, Abel ES teacher.