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Written by Winter Park Elks

On Aug. 6, Winter Park Elks Lodge donated $1,000 to Rusty's Bicycle Shop. This shop refurbishes used bicycles and gives this invaluable transportation to veterans and others who are homeless. Pictured at the lodge presentation are Terri Bentley, Lecturing Knight; Pat Fuehrer, PER, trustee; Kim Shingledecker, chair of the board of directors; Bill Belcher, Exalted Ruler; and Richard Wetterstrom, manager of Rusty's Bicycle Shop. The photo was taken by Leading Knight, PER, Ron Goluba.

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Written by Patti Shipley

St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 designated the month of June for supporting S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue Inc. (Saving Animals from Euthanasia) in St. Augustine, Florida. Members donated $403 worth of items, which were delivered June 30. S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue was founded in September 2008 with the goal of saving adoptable dogs and cats from euthanasia in northeast Florida. Pictured at delivery are Joe Smith, Exalted Ruler; Cathy Walsh, community outreach chair; Kevin Walsh, trustee; and Karen Bromirski, S.A.F.E volunteer.

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Written by Richard Kampf

Cape Coral Elks Lodge #2596 presented $5,500 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants to the Cape Coral Caring Center. The grants will pay for the water and electric utility bills of local citizens impacted by COVID-19 who have been threatened with shut-off by the City of Cape Coral. Pictured July 27 at the Cape Coral Caring Center are Jim Fraser, Leading Knight; Janet Murphy, Chaplain; Wendy Wootton, Caring Center operations manager; Julie Ferguson, Caring Center executive director; Ken Kovach, Exalted Ruler; Mike Murphy, Lecturing Knight; and John Nugent, Loyal Knight.

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Written by Raymond Murphree, PDD

On May 10, Orange Park Elks Lodge #2605 presented a check for $8549.62 to the Trinity Lutheran Church Food Bank, which manages the food distribution for Feeding Northeast Florida. The check included funds from an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant as well as matching funds from the Florida State Elks Association. The lodge also donated 500 paper bags with its logo to be used when distributing food to those in need. Pictured are Raymond Murphree, PDD; Lisa Green; Lara Mathis, Exalted Ruler; Reverend Robert Kinley; Gwen Parker-Downs; and Tom Culverhouse, food bank operations manager.

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Written by Patti Longworth

On May 18, St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 recognized the continuous dedication, commitment and hard work of the teachers and staff at R.B. Hunt Elementary School by providing an appreciation breakfast. These teachers and staff members have worked diligently throughout a most difficult school year, providing a secure and healthy learning environment for their students.

Pictured are Chris Love, Inner Guard; Amanda Garmand, principal; Joe Smith Sr., Exalted Ruler; and Sara McDavitt, chaplain.

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Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

Brandon Lodge’s quarterly food and magazine drive-thru collection event took place June 19. With input before the event from past District Vice President Sharon Hammersla, member Robin Rutzke hosted the drop-off for members to bring their donations for the community. Rutzke reported that 28 members stopped by with donations and seven nonmembers brought donations. A total of 582 pounds of food valued at approximately $1,164 was later delivered by Hammersla and Rutzke to the Nativity Food Bank for distribution to the local food pantries in the area. The dedicated volunteers at the Nativity Food Bank (Past Brandon Ladies of Elks President Julie Ebert and lodge member Charlene Hart) are so grateful that the Brandon members support such a worthy cause. Nativity Food Bank is always beyond excited to receive “first-rate” food from this quarterly donation. The donated magazines are given to Kim Peatee, who works at Recreation Therapy at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. Peatee said that the magazines are so important because the patients in the hospital as well as her homebound patients enjoy reading them so much and it shows them that people do care about them and that they are not forgotten. The success of each quarterly drive-thru is the result of teamwork. Rutzke and Hammersla chair and hosts these quarterly events, while members such as Julie Ebert, Rick Weigand, Kathy Brogli and Beth Benham handle the advertising, gathering, delivering and distribution. Rutzke even recruited two of her teenage neighbors to volunteer from start to finish, greeting people and helping to unload and reload the items for delivery. Ethan McAlister, who is currently in high school, and his brother, Brodie McAlister, who is in middle school, enjoyed the opportunity to volunteer for such a worthy cause, practicing leadership and communication skills. Both are homeschooled and Ethan is working toward earning community service hours needed to apply for a Bright Futures scholarship. Their mother, Mari McAlister, said, “Thank you so much for having them. They haven’t stopped talking about it!” Maybe these boys are Elks in training! Rutzke and Hammersla send thanks to all those who contribute to this or any event put on by any Elks lodge, making such events successful.

Brodie McAlister, Ethan McAlister, and Leading Knight Marionette Sexton unload food donations from a donor’s trunk.

Members Kathy Brogli and Robin Rutzke and Brodie and Ethan McAlister show the numerous donations.

Brodie McAlister, Robin Rutzke, Kathy Brogli and Ethan McAlister display the generous magazine donations.

Delivery to Nativity Food Pantry is done by endorsed-DDGER Sharon Hammersla, Robin Rutzke and Past Brandon Ladies of Elks President Julie Ebert.