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Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock, PER

On Nov. 9, Clewiston Elks Lodge #1853 held the Elks South Region Soccer Shoot. Contestants from four lodges attended — Clewiston #1853, Jupiter #2469, Florida Keys#1872 and Greater Pine Island #2781.

Pictured in the front row are Cayden Davis, U-10, first place; Rosa Esparza, U-8, second place; Sophia Velasquez, U-10, second place; Emiliano Garcia, U-10, second place; Brady McCarthy, U-12, first place; Aiden McCarthy, U-8, first place; and Marty Espinoza, South Regional Chair. In the back row are John Hotzfield, Greater Pine Island Exalted Ruler; Daniel Garcia, U-14, second place; Katheryn Rodriguez, U-16, first place; Michelle Rodriguez, U-14, second place; Johnathan Fajardo, U-14, third place; Taylor Davis, U-12, first place; Ryleigh Stravin, U-14, third place; and James Wesie, U-14, fourth place. Not pictured are Charley Mimbs, U-8, first place; Lauren Mickuleit, U-10, first place; Brilen Card, U-12, second place; Madelyn Mickuleit, U-14, first place; and Brison Card, U-14, first place. First place winners will compete in the State Soccer Shoot at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla Jan. 4.

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Written by Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE

On Oct. 23, Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE, Sebastian Lodge Youth Activities Chair, delivered school supplies valued at more than $900 to Fellsmere Elementary School. Supplies were unloaded by the school safety patrol members. The school’s student population is 99% economically disadvantaged, according to a report by U.S. News & World Report.

Pictured is Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE, Youth Activities Chair, and the school safety patrol members.

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Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock, PER

On Oct. 13, Jupiter Elks Lodge members PDD Cindy and Jim Eldred delivered a generator for an Elk in Tennessee still without power more than two weeks after Hurricane Helene. The generator was donated by PDD Larry Littell.

Pictured are Roger Hayes, Exalted Ruler of Erwin, Tennessee Elks Lodge #1985, and his wife, Donna, who accepted the generator on the member’s behalf so they could have running water and power.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Oct. 6, Elks lodges in the Northwest District became the collection and pickup areas for donations for the victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton. Pensacola Beach lodge member Jennifer McGregor was contacted by Todd Terrell, founder and president of the United Cajun Navy, for assistance in collecting much-needed donations. She passed this information to District Deputy Don Padget, who immediately reached out to the entire district for assistance. The request was for donations, including nonperishable food items, diapers, hygiene products, water, gas cans, etc. Almost one ton of donations were collected and staged at Warrington Lodge #2108, Pensacola Beach Lodge #497, Holley-Navarre Lodge #2787 and Fort Walton Lodge #1795. The donations were picked up by an 18-wheeler semitrailer truck from the United Cajun Navy to be transported to Perry, Florida, and the areas hit by these hurricanes.

The pictures show the lodges’ efforts.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

Green Cove Springs Lodge is providing books to local children in their Elks Read Initiative, funded through the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant.

On Aug. 3, the lodge partnered with the Green Cove Springs Police Department for Summer Story Time in the Park. Officer Lombardi, Officer Powers and Sergeant Rulon took turns reading to 22 children and their families. Also pictured are Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler, and Ed Weston, PER, District Vice President.

Then on Aug. 26, Elk volunteer Susan Phillips and Jennifer Parker visited the Episcopal Children’s Services Green Cove Springs Head Start Center for a semimonthly Story Hour with their students.

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Written by Gloria Hamze

On Aug. 17, Oakland Park Elks Lodge #2407 used its $3,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant for the eighth annual youth Elks Fishing Rodeo, held at Pompano Pier and led by member Scott Slinko; Cub Scout Pack 512 helped with the event. Children from 4KIDS, which serves children and families in crisis and provides foster care, trauma-informed therapy and more, were special guests. Grant money was used to purchase more than 42 fishing rods, tackle boxes, tents, coolers and tables. More than 50 kids participated in the event and got to keep the equipment they used as well.

Pictured are some of the participants.