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Written by Rita Smith, PER

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Tampa Elks Lodge Drug Awareness Chair, Rosann Garcia, is keeping the program active in the community. On June 29, Garcia and member Patty Volpe, along with Elks National Foundation Legacy Scholar, Lucas Dye, a University of Tampa student, took inventory of the Drug Awareness supplies for two upcoming events. On July 27, Garcia provided Drug Awareness bags filled with school supplies and a red ribbon to 69 children attending the lodge’s back-to-school party. On Aug. 2, the lodge participated in the back-to-school block party put on by the nonprofit GainesHope Inc. This organization received the lodge’s leftover school supplies and invited the lodge to set up a station at their Hope on the Block event in West Tampa, a section of town with a high poverty rate. Garcia and Volpe set up a booth with a shade tent, folding table, chairs, some color-me tablecloths, jars of crayons and Drug Awareness bags. They spent four hours sharing the material with more than 100 children and adults. The extra school supplies, brochures and coloring books equipped nearly 70 elementary and teen students.

Pictured are Rosann Garcia and Lucas Dye taking inventory at the lodge. Also pictured are Garcia and Patty Volpe, left, at the block party assisting attendees in the lodge booth.

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Written by Renee Williams

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Lake City Elks Lodge #893 used proceeds from its April golf tournament to award $17,750 in scholarships to local high school seniors. Scholarships were awarded to 11 seniors at Columbia High School and four seniors at Fort White High School, recognizing students who exemplify academic excellence, community involvement and leadership. Presentations were made at Columbia High School May 6 and at Fort White High School May 8.

Pictured at CHS are Scholarship chair, Greg Beckman; students Lainey Grinstead, Peyton Sapp, Taylor Carroll,  Bethany Toreky, Haidyn Markham, Abigail Young, Madison Bailey,  Tai’Kenyan Forest, Jalesia Mayo, Cate Chancey, and Connor Sheilds; and Golf chair, Jerry Solenski.

Pictured at FWHS are Scholarship chair, Greg Beckman; students Hunter Southwell, Morgan Kelly, Kadence Compton, and Kaleigh Clements-Hamric; and Exalted Ruler, Renee Williams.

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Written by Renee Williams

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Lake City Elks Lodge #893 donated $500 July7 to support the PBJ Campaign, a local summer initiative in June and July benefiting families served by the Florida Gateway Food Bank and Catholic Charities Lake City Region. This campaign provides children and families with simple, nutritious lunches, specifically peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This donation helped supply approximately 500 loaves of sandwich bread.

Pictured are Renee Williams, Exalted Ruler; Shannon Moser, Catholic Charities regional director; and Renee LeBlanc, Catholic Charities case manager.

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Written by Susan Janes

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The Space Coast Antlers of Cocoa Beach Lodge sponsored a ‘60s themed dinner June 6 and donated half of their proceeds, $245, to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund for the Florida Youth Camp, as many of them spend a week a camp and enjoy every minute.

Antlers pictured in the back are Michael Butler, Jaden Haddock, Milane Cognetti, Attia Cognetti and Roma Cognetti. Antlers pictured in the front are Leo Haddock, Liam Russell, Khloe Trent and Ruby Earich.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

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On July 29, Florida Keys Elks Lodge’s Vets on the Water program granted the wish of 93-year-old Vietnam veteran Marlin, who is in hospice, to go fishing one more time. He is pictured with his daughter. Vets on the Water was originally funded by the Elks National Foundation $10,000 Impact Grant for four years, but it is now solely supported by lodge fundraisers. The program funds several water activities for veterans, including going out on a sailboat, snorkeling, group fishing on charter boats and touring the Keys.

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Written by Lake City Elks

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Lake City Lodge held a fundraiser May 10 at the lodge for Ricky Crawford, a Columbia County community member battling cancer. The event raised $20,545 for the Crawford family. The benefit featured a barbecue dinner prepared by member Jerry Bullard, a live auction hosted by member Kerry Waldron, and entertainment from a local band. The event also served as a membership drive, showcasing the heart, fellowship and service that define the Elks.

Pictured are Jerry Solenski, Leading Knight; Stanley Cox, PDD, Treasurer; Ricky Crawford, benefit recipient; and Jerry Bullard, member.

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Written by Naples Elks

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On Aug. 4, Naples Elks Lodge #2010 donated a hurricane kit to Warrior Homes of Collier County (WHC), which works to end veteran homelessness. The kit included a battery backup pack, pair of ready-to-go portable rechargeable lanterns and a supply of batteries. Funds for the kit came from the $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant.

Pictured are Arlene Hansen, Lodge Secretary; Kim LeBetz, Lodge Treasurer; Barbara Salkow, Warrior Homes board member; Adam Stanbro and Shiv Mangra, veteran recipients; and Brian Kamp, Lodge Grants Coordinator.

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Written by Live Oak Elks

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On June 1, Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 promoted the Elks Drug Awareness program at the Wellborn Blueberry Festival on the Wellborn Community Center grounds. Elks provided Drug Awareness materials to children and families, helping educate and empower the community with tools for making healthy and safe choices. Elroy the Elk, always a crowd favorite, spread joy, smiles and important messages to kids and adults.

Pictured are Elroy the Elk (Drug Awareness Committee member Chad Hurst) posing with a local child. Also pictured are Verna Hurst, Drug Awareness Chair; Chad Hurst, Drug Awareness Committee Member; and Mikell Cook, Lecturing Knight.