On Dec. 15, Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 hosted a Christmas party for children from Everyday Blessings, a home for children who have been neglected or abused. It is the only home in the county that will accept siblings so the children are not separated. The lodge uses its Elks National Foundation Impact Grant throughout the year to support this home. There were 24 children, 7 caretakers from the home, 10 Elks children and 42 Elks in attendance. The Elks provided a meal and entertainment by a magician. Santa Claus visited the children and gave gifts to them all, which had been purchased by lodge members from the children’s wish lists. Cooper Tharrington, the granddaughter of an Elk, dressed as Elsa from the movie Frozen. The Ladies of Elks provided all the decorations and cooked the meal. Member Bob Norton provided dinner music and Christmas carols.
Pictured are Elsa (Cooper Tharrington) as well as a helper elf (Shelly Carroll, Leading Knight) and Santa Claus (John Guarino, Exalted Ruler) .