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Written by Rita Smith

On March 26, Titusville Elks Lodge #2113 awarded three $1,000 scholarships to deserving students. These funds were due to the generosity of lodge bingo players who donated throughout the year.

Cat Simkins, Lodge Scholarship Chair, is pictured with the students — Tim Nguyen, Titusville High School; Jamie Tucker, Astronaut High School; and Dimitrios Pribyl, Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. 

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Written by Carolyn Sutherland

Myakka River Elementary School held its annual book fair during the week of Jan. 23, which coincides with National Reading Day. For the past several years, Englewood Lodge has provided funds to purchase books for the second and third graders. This year, they donated $950 for the books.

Pictured Feb. 7 are some very happy students holding their books.

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Written by Merritt Island Elks

On Feb. 18, Merritt Island Elks Lodge #2650 held a combined awards dinner for the winners of the Americanism essay contest and the Drug Awareness poster and essay contests.

The theme of the Americanism essay contest was “What Does It Mean to Love Your Country?” The essay word limit was 300. A judging committee of Ralph Gordon, Rod O'Connor, Jim Gregg, David Crocket, Lynn Brooks and June Horgan evaluated each essay for originality, development of theme, and mechanics and neatness. Division I (fifth and sixth grades) did not have any entries but four winners were selected in Division II (seventh and eighth grades).

The theme for the Drug Awareness contests was “The Better Me Is Drug Free.” The poster contest was for third through fifth grades and the essay contest was for sixth through eighth grades. The lodge contacted all Merritt Island schools (Audubon, Mila, Jefferson, Tropical, Edgewood, Lewis Carroll, Merritt Island Christian, Stevenson and Brevard Private Academy) and provided direction to get teachers and students involved.

Pictured in the middle row are Ralph Gordon, Exalted Ruler; Danin Horton, Americanism first place; Devin Schylaske, Americanism second place; Mathew Hosmer, Americanism honorable mention; and Emma Dixon, Americanism third place. Ken Hill, Americanism Lodge Chair, is in the back left. At the end of the middle row is Maddalyn Tonhauser, Drug Awareness essay first place. In the front row are Eme Walter, Drug Awareness poster second place, and Lana Delaney, Drug Awareness poster first place. Ernie Tonhauser, Drug Awareness Lodge Chair, is in the back right.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

Throughout February, Green Cove Springs Lodge held a Comfort Campaign to collect new stuffed animals. Volunteers then individually wrapped each stuffed animal to keep them clean and organized. Thanks to the generosity of members and guests, the lodge presented 217 stuffed animals to the Green Cove Springs Police Department and Clay County Sheriff's Office. The officers keep these stuffed animals in their vehicles to offer comfort to the children they encounter on their calls. Law enforcement officers from each agency were guests of the lodge for dinner March 4, where they were presented with the toys.

Pictured are Patsy Weston, member; Emily Hughson, volunteer; Deputy Jenkins; Deputy Casper; Officer Rulon; Sergeant Perry; Chief Clark; and Tracy Carroll, PER.

Also pictured are lodge members and volunteers packing the stuffed animals and Sergeant Perry and Officer Rulon loading their vehicles with the stuffed animals.

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Written by Lakeland Elks

On March 5, Hollis Cancer Center held its annual Promise Run. Lakeland Lodge was recognized for its continued support and fundraising from its Puttin’ on the Pink events over the years. The lodge was asked to be a gold sponsor ($25,000) of the largest run in Lakeland because of their cumulative $36,000 in donations. With this sponsorship, the lodge was highly promoted in the packets sent to all the participants and on all the shirts, runner bibs and brochures. Due to COVID-19, the race was virtual.

Pictured in blue are the lodge members who walked or ran: Rick Littlejohn, Sher Thrush, Christy Mann, Cindy Ayers, Elroy the Elk (John McArthur), Vicki Baker, Michelle Schlaack, Penny Deig, Trish Walsh and John Hedrick. Pictured in pink are the lodge members who supported the participants: John Mathison, Cindy Ayers, Rose Ford, Carl Hutchcraft, Laurel Dolpp and Robin Buckley-Gutierrez.

Also pictured is Elroy the Elk.

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Written by Rita Smith

On March 18, Tampa Lodge welcomed 19 veterans and staff members from the James A. Haley VA Domiciliary and Liberty Manor for Veterans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Liberty Manor is a home in Tampa, Florida, for veterans who are temporarily unhoused. The guests were invited by the Veterans Committee members and they enjoyed a meal and entertainment. 

Pictured with Paul DeLand, Exalted Ruler, are veteran residents of Liberty Manor holding letters up to spell out "Thank You!"