Details

Written by Cristin Rumler

On Dec. 16, Sanford Lodge hosted its third annual Christmas for Kids event, with more than 100 children in attendance and 300 people in total. Local kids and their families enjoyed a pizza lunch, hot cocoa bar, crafts, cookie decorating, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The children also received goody bags with a $10 Chic-Fil-A gift card. Members took photos of the event and portraits of the children with Santa, which were available to the families for free through their website. This event is budgeted through the lodge and members also donated funds for the event.

Pictured are Santa and Mrs. Claus receiving a warm welcome from a child, lodge members who worked the event, kids decorating cookies, Santa and Mrs. Claus showing off the drawings and ornaments made for them by the kids, the cookie decorating station, and an overall photo of the event.

Details

Written by Bradenton Elks

The Bradenton 1511 Elks Riders chapter held three fundraising events to support its annual brain-injured child (BIC) project. This year’s recipient was Atticus Jimenez, a 3-year-old diagnosed with gastroschisis (excess brain fluid) and CNS sarcoma, a bone and soft tissue tumor. A lottery board raffle Oct. 30 raised $2,200. A combined poker run/meat bingo/silent auction Nov. 18 raised $3,000. On Nov. 21, a gift card raffle added $2,500. With a $1,000 donation from the Nov. 12 lodge golf tournament, the total given to the family was $8,700.

Pictured from the top left are Rod and Becky Rodenberry, lodge members; Tonio, father; Zaxton, brother; Lindsay, mother; and Atticus. 

Details

Written by Manasota Elks

On Dec. 1, Manasota Elks Lodge #2734 donated 158 T-shirts for Abel Elementary School’s third annual Color Splash Walk-a-Thon on campus. It is the school’s largest fundraiser and the donations are used for learning gains, parties and celebrations of student growth. The event raised approximately $17,000, which will be used for parties to celebrate the students going above and beyond in their learning.

Pictured covered in brightly colored dust are fifth grade teacher Marry Dalton and her students enjoying popsicles after participating in the walk-a-thon.

Details

Written by Mary Lou Scribner, PER

On Dec. 17, the Brandon Ladies of Elks and lodge members hosted a Christmas pajama party for Family Forever, an organization that finds forever homes for children in foster care. At this time, the organization has around 2,000 children in need of homes. Approximately 200 people attended this event, including foster parents and more than 100 children. There were snowball fights, a hot chocolate bar and a delicious meal for the children. Each child received a shopping bag to go around to tables to select Christmas items, toiletries, socks, pajamas and blankets, supplied by Family Forever. There was also a station for the children to secretly select gifts for their parents, which were wrapped by Brandon Lodge and Ladies member, Charlene Hart, and her friend. Each child had a visit with Santa (Elk James Lair) and picked out a toy from the Walgreens annual gift drive. The event was put on by Past Lady President Terri Ciesla, chair; 15 Ladies and lodge volunteers; and helpers from Family Forever. The Brandon Ladies of Elks raised $1,838.49 from Bunco Nights to support the event and purchase gifts. In addition, lodge members chose children's names from wish list cards and donated gifts for specific children. The lodge also donated $1,100 from its charity account for gifts for an additional 29 children. Ciesla said the day was truly "Christmas. This is what Elks do…we help children.”

Pictured are guests in the hall, the parents’ gifts station, and Mary Lou Scribner, PER and Charlene Hart.

Details

Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On Dec. 2, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 continued its partnership with the City of Green Cove Springs by providing gift bags to the children who visit Santa's Workshop during the Christmas on Walnut Street festivities. The bags were packed Nov. 18 by 27 members and volunteers, and 21 members and volunteers gave out 371 gift bags to children of all ages. The items were purchased using Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant matching funds from the Harry-Anna Trust Fund. Growing Healthy Smiles pediatric dentistry also gave out more than 500 toothbrushes.

Pictured are members and guests packing gift bags; the Orvosh family receiving a gift bag; Santa and a guest with elf Joy Elrod, Loyal Knight; and members and volunteers preparing to give out gift bags. Also pictured are Cathy Sanders, chaplain; Kristine Watson, trustee; Lynn Elrod, Exalted Ruler; and trustees Greg Hughson, PDD and Laquetta Willimon greeting the Pierce family.

Details

Written by Jackie Jacobs

For about eight years, Tampa Lodge has used the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to provide a holiday meal for those who are homeless at Open Arms Ministry, a division of Hyde Park United Methodist Church. Originally, they fed 200 to 300 people the Sunday before Thanksgiving, but that population dwindled greatly during COVID, as some were moved across the county into shelters and others did not survive. This year, they fed approximately 100 people. All the food was prepared at the lodge. The shopping started more than a week in advance, and the cooking started Thursday, when the 55 pounds of boneless breasts were cooked. On Saturday, Douglas Grant, Steve Kraft, Jeremy Elkins, Ruth Levin and Norm Jones prepped the side dishes. On Sunday, Doug Grant and Jackie Jacobs made the gravy and ran everything through the oven. At 10:30 a.m. the cars were loaded and headed to the church. They were greeted by lodge members Kim Van Walker and Michael Volpe. Susan Brandise and a dozen girls from her rowing team from the Academy of the Holy Names helped them again this year. Elks Patty Volpe, Richelle Nickle, young Jacob, Sue Dawson, Joe Dawson, Rita Smith and Amy Morantes rounded out the Elks crew. Guests were treated to roasted turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, candied yams, corn, cranberry sauce, roll with butter, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. It was much more food than they are to used to getting at one meal, and the line for seconds was very short. Fruit was also offered to the guests. It is purchased weekly by a parishioner who is a pediatrician.

Pictured are lodge and rowing team members serving, Jeremy Elkins and Douglas Grant  prepping dinner, and Ruth Levin and Norm Jones dishing out cranberry sauce.