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Written by Deborah Reedy, PER

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In June, Jacksonville Elks Lodge delivered two Welcome Home kits for veterans. David Graham, Exalted Ruler, and Donnie Rowand, House Committee Chair, helped Karen Tracy, Veterans Services Chair, in loading and delivering the kits. Both veterans were very appreciative, and one of them said that receiving the kit took a lot of stress off him. Pictured are veteran Charles, David Graham and Karen Tracy. Also pictured are David Graham and Donnie Rowand with the trailer of kit items for the second veteran. 

On July 23, Karen Tracy, Jacksonville Lodge Veterans Services Chair, and David Graham, Exalted Ruler, helped veteran Joshua move in to his new apartment. He moved in on a Friday with nothing except his backpack and a water bottle. The lodge provided him with a bed, bedding, towels, lamps, nightstand, chairs, waste can, mop and broom. Over the weekend, larger furniture was delivered. Some of the furniture was bought using the Welcome Home kit funds and other pieces were donated. Joshua is the fifth recipient of the lodge’s Welcome Home Kits. Joshua is pictured with some of his new items in his apartment. Also pictured is a truck full of his items.

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Written by West Palm Beach Elks

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On June 17, West Palm Beach Elks Riders held an event to benefit Project Hope Autism Services in Jupiter, Florida. They hosted a dinner with music at the lodge. With more than 150 attendees, $4,000 was raised.

Pictured are Kyle Segura, who has autism, and his father, Robert.

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Written by Pete Jordan

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On July 13, Port St. Lucie Lodge’s Exalted Ruler, Thomas Randazzo, left, and Secretary, Frederick Barth, second from right, distributed 108 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County. These supplies were purchased using an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. Boys & Girls Club program director, Tasha Mitchell, middle, accepted these much-needed supplies.

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Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock, PER

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Jupiter Elks Lodge #2469 hosted its annual Flag Day celebration June 10 with the assistance of local scouts and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office honor guard. The event included a barbecue, car show, pie-eating contest, raffles, games and prizes. There was also a special K-9 presentation as well as face painting, kids’ crafts and more, all while learning the history of the American flag. The special guest was an American eagle from Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Pictured is a large flag on display at the event.

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Written by Lake City and Live Oak Elks

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Lake City and Live Oak Elks lodges provided a barbecue meal to the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for the Florida Army National Guard, which was held at the Blanche Hotel in downtown Lake City, Florida, July 15 for Guard members and their families. Live Oak Elks provided smoked pork and Lake City Elks provided the sides, sweets and drinks for more than 125 returning veterans.

Pictured are Stanley Cox, PDD and Angela Cox of Lake City #893; John Dill, PDD of Live Oak #1165; Brandy Meeks, Lake City Elk-Mates Treasurer; Chris Samson, Lake City Exalted Ruler; Andy Hillhouse, Live Oak Exalted Ruler; Snuffy Smith, PDD and Amy Smith of Live Oak #1165; and Jamie Pardee of Live Oak #1165. Also pictured are returning National Guard members and family members in the lunch lines.

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Written by Perry Elks

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On June 15 at the Perry Elks Lodge scholarship dinner, the lodge presented $1,000 scholarships to Taylor County High School students Camron Croft and Logan Linton. Also pictured are Eric Hodge, Exalted Ruler, and Susan Lynn, PDD, Lodge Scholarship Committee Chair.

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Written by Beverly Pittman-Pardee

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On June 21, Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 donated its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Suwannee River Regional Library to help support their summer reading program.

Pictured with three library representatives are members Donald Watson, Bobby Dale Cason and Lori Watson, lodge grant coordinator (second from right). Behind the camera is Andy Hillhouse, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Rose Goodrich, PER

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On June 17, Dunedin/Clearwater Elks Lodge #1525 had its first visit to Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home since before the pandemic. They purchased, transported and cooked hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken, beans, potato salad, cookies, water and soda for 120 residents and 30 staff members as well as a few visiting guests. Due to illnesses, they only served approximately 75 people, but they donated all that was left to the nursing home for future use. 

Pictured in the back row are Jackie, Baldomero Lopez kitchen manager; Richard Leskovsky, PER; Peter Glushko, Loyal Knight; Al Iosa, member; Bill Huyett, Chaplain; and Donald Wooldridge, lodge volunteer. Pictured in the front row are Rose Goodrich, PER; Larry Miller, House Committee Chair; Helene Lewis, member; and Janice Brautigam, PER.