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Written by Debbie Brozyna

Members of Ormond Beach Elks Lodge #2193 used the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to provide Christmas gifts, toys and clothing to 17 local children. The lodge also provided Christmas meals for 42 members of the community.

Pictured Dec. 23 distributing gifts are Mark Madden, PER; Gerri Madden; John Andrews, Exalted Ruler; Nicole, gift recipient; Michael Chandler, PDD; and Bev Muscatello, Lodge Secretary. Other members who helped shop and deliver gifts and meals were Jackie Curtis-Andrews, PER; Carl Muscatello; James Wood; Shelley Wood; Flipper McAllister; Kristen Curtis; and Debbie Brozyna.

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Written by Tracy Carroll, PER

On Dec. 28, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 used a portion of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to sponsor a winter carnival at the Green Cove Springs Library. The event, geared toward children under the age of 6, featured crafts, games, ice cream, face painters, and story time with characters Elsa and Olaf from the movie “Frozen.” The event was attended by 165 children, 135 family members and 21 volunteers. Each child was given a book of their own to keep.

Pictured are story time and two children receiving their books.

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Written by Judy Hopkins, PER

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On Dec. 17, Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge #2781 teamed with the Pine Island F.I.S.H. (Fellow Islanders Sending Help) to set up a free holiday toy and gift store using the items collected from the Walgreens-Elks drive. Parents were invited to shop for two or three gifts per child. Concurrently, children had a free gift store as well, so they could shop for parents or grandparents.

Pictured are Michael Berio, F.I.S.H.; Darcy Connor, Elk; Lori Tidwell, F.I.S.H.; Salim Hakima, F.I.S.H.; Judy Hopkins, PER, Elk; Erika Rios, F.I.S.H.; and Alexis Girona, F.I.S.H. Photo credit/Tiffany Noel

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Written by Brian LoVetere

On Dec. 3, Holiday Isles Lodge held the first of what will be an annual Christmas festival at the lodge for members and their families and members’ friends. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on a Madeira Beach Fire Department firetruck. There were 12 activities, crafts and games for the children; each game or station had a toy or prize they could win. They also had face painting and tattoo tables, golf cart rides, and presents. Kid-friendly food was provided throughout the event, including chicken tenders, meatballs, macaroni and cheese bites, fresh vegetables with dip, corn dogs, pigs in a blanket, water, sodas, and juice as well as a hot chocolate station with peppermint sticks for stirring and marshmallows for the top.

Member volunteers pictured in the back are Eric Crampton, Debbie Rase, Joseph Hart, Mike Querner, Jessica Shaw, George Thompson, Richard DeBlasio and Daniela Vinci. Seated are Sandra Gann, Christa Thompson, Dawn Crampton, Paula DeBlasio, Rhonda Smith, Jamie Hosni and Paulette Querner. Seated on the floor are Brooke Martin, Diane Piscopo and Loren Hanke.

Also pictured is Santa arriving.

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Written by Manasota Elks

Manasota Lodge hosted its annual children’s Breakfast with Santa Dec. 17, funded by the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and lodge contributions. The event helped 38 children and 17 families from Abel Elementary School and Bayshore Elementary School, both Title 1 schools. Upon arrival, children and guardians were served breakfast. Soon after, everyone went outside and anxiously waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive by fire truck with a siren blaring. Once inside, Santa and Mrs. Claus called each child’s name and gave them wrapped gifts with an outfit of clothing and a toy. Each family was given a food box that contained a toiletry bag for each child and a $10 McDonald’s gift card, a $25 gift certificate to Publix or Winn-Dixie, and nonperishable food items. Jan “Spike” Klocke headed up this party, Shawn Wheaton shopped for all the children’s outfits, Art Waldron and his crew cooked breakfast, and numerous volunteers helped in other ways. Leftover toys were donated to Bayshore Elementary School’s Winter Wonderland children’s event with Santa.

Pictured are guests waiting for Santa; children receiving gifts from Santa and Mrs. Claus; and Santa and Mrs. Claus (members Jack Shutts and Mickie Beck) with Cedar Hammock Fire Station firefighters.

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Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock

Participation in Jupiter Lodge’s Angel Tree resulted in a new outfit and a gift for 125 local children. All deliveries were made Dec. 16 and Dec. 19. 

At Jerry Thomas Elementary School, recipients William Carter, Wynter Carter, Edison Argueta-Matias, Daniel Aristhene, David Aristhene, Keydi Marcos-Sebastian, Rosy Montejo and Nancy Pedro Marcos are pictured with Sharyn Ayres, guidance counselor, and Megan LaVogue, ESOL coordinator. Pictured at Jupiter Elementary are Officer Larson; Steve Brancazio, PER; Tamara Cruz, school staff member; Elks Paul Diener, Bobby Paul, Iris Paul, Bill Jackson, and Laura Rusak; and Lilian Mabjish and Enid Marcano, school staff members.