Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 recently raised $12,432 from member donations as well as activities such as the lodge’s fourth annual Oktoberfest, held Sept. 20, and other lodge social events. The public was welcome at Oktoberfest, which was held on the lodge patio by the bay water. There were performances by The Polka Dots, The Good Lookings and DJ Tizzy Totten. German bratwursts and sides and German beers were available for purchase. There were feats of strength competitions, such as keg tosses and beer stein challenges. In lieu of admission tickets, the lodge asked for a donation at the door for the Elks National Foundation and children’s charities. The donations from these recent events were presented Sept. 27 at the State President's district visit — $2,616 to Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services, $9,216 to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund and $600 to the Army of Hope.

Pictured at Oktoberfest are The Polka Dots with Regina Scott, Oktoberfest Chair, and Marcia WrightReynolds, Exalted Ruler and board chair, and Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, emcee. Pictured at the donation presentation are Jeff Rumler, PDD, Harry-Anna Trust Fund State Chair; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; Marcia WrightReynolds; and Mike Chandler, State President.