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Written by Diane Hendrick

The Salvation Army Angel Tree project provides Christmas gifts for families in need in southwest Florida. This year, Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 sponsored five of these families. Christmas donations of clothing and toys came from members and guests who chose tags from the lodge's Angel Tree and shopped for those children. Monetary donations also came from members, and $100 Publix gifts were donated to each family by the Fort Myers Ladies of Elks. In all, the members and lodge supplied each family with approximately $500 in clothing and toys for the children and funds to purchase their Christmas dinner.

Pictured Dec. 18 is Angel Tree Committee member Gail Mascari (right) with one of the families after she and her husband, Frank, delivered the gifts.

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Written by Rita Smith

On Dec. 26, Tampa Lodge members Edie Hanley, Inner Guard, and Rita Smith, Leading Knight, arrived at Open Arms Ministry at 7 a.m. to give a Christmas card containing a $25 Walmart gift card and a one-day unlimited bus pass to each person in the homeless population who arrived for coffee and a bagged meal, fresh dessert and good company. According to the ministry’s records, 75 people in need were served. The remaining cards will be given to the veterans without homes from the James A. Haley VA Domiciliary when they attend a lodge dinner. This project was financed by the Florida State Elks Association matching funds of an Elks National Foundation grant. 

Pictured are Edie Hanley distributing a card and Leo Dougherty, an Open Arms volunteer, checking in a client.

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Written by Manasota Elks

On Dec. 18, Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 held its children’s Christmas party with families from the three Title 1 schools the lodge partners with — Abel Elementary, Moody Elementary and Oneco Elementary schools. Thirteen families and a total of 33 children were served a hot breakfast. After breakfast, Santa arrived by fire truck and was greeted by the children outside the lodge. Needless to say, they were very excited! Santa’s elf, Jack, gave out their wrapped gifts, which included an outfit of clothing, a toy and a McDonald’s gift certificate. The children visited with Santa while family members took pictures. Each family also received a food basket with a ham as well as nonperishable food. This was all made possible by funds from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, 30 lodge volunteers, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Station 4, and of course, Santa (Tim Hillman) and his elf (Jack Shutts).

Pictured are two children visiting with Santa and Jack the elf.

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Written by Bud Tipton

Crestview and Twin Cities Elks lodges held an emergency toy drive Dec. 18 and Dec. 19 for families in western Kentucky who had serve damage from recent tornadoes. Kentucky Elks have reported three lodges with damage from the storms. Members of Crestview and Twin Cities lodges donated approximately $750 worth of toys and mailed them to Louisville Lodge #8.

Pictured are Tom Kuhn, Twin Cities Lodge Exalted Ruler; Tammy Kuhn, Twin Cities Lodge Secretary; and the children of Bud Tipton, Crestview Lodge Exalted Ruler: Carter Tipton, Addie Tipton, Paisley Tipton and Myrlic Brown. Myrlic and Carter are also a part of the Crestview Antlers program for youth.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

A total of 32 Green Cove Springs Lodge Elks and volunteers gathered to sort and pack 3,000 jewelry gift bags. The jewelry was received through a donation to the Florida State Elks Association. Throughout the first two weeks of December, Elks volunteers delivered the bags to five elementary schools as well as a local women's shelter and senior center for children to present to their family members as gifts.

Pictured Nov. 28 are the Elks and volunteers packing the jewelry bags.

Pictured Dec. 10 delivering to a local school are Teresa Hurley, volunteer; Bonnie Conti, member; Bob Hurley, member; Lynn Elrod, member; Tim Smith, Leading Knight; Mary Bolla, member; Tammy Winkler, McRae Elementary principal; Ed Weston, Exalted Ruler; and Joy Elrod, Inner Guard.

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Written by Florida Keys Elks

More than 100 children attended Florida Keys Lodge’s annual Christmas party Dec. 4. Lunch was served and entertainment included arts and crafts and a magic show by Michael Trixx. Santa and Mrs. Claus rode in on a sleigh to bring everyone gifts, too. Their community elves, Coral Shores High School Interact Club, Boy Scout Troop 912, visiting and local Elks, and American Legion Memorial Post 145 helped fill three hours with smiles and giggles. The lodge funded this party with its $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Pictured are James Rock and Santa Claus (Tim Hartnett).