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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

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On Oct. 9, Crestview Elks Lodge #2624 donated $10,000 from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Dinner at Dad's Compassionate Ministries. These funds will directly support the upcoming Remote Area Medical clinic, which is coming to Crestview for the first time. The RAM clinic, scheduled for late November, will provide free medical, dental and vision care to individuals and families in need throughout the community. Each dollar donated to the RAM clinic equals approximately $3 in medical services, meaning this grant will deliver nearly $30,000 worth of essential care to residents.

Pictured are Traci Medlock, trustee; Pastor Joe Bennett of the Crestview Church of the Nazarene; Ed Mitchell Jr., DAD’s president; Deb McMullen, Exalted Ruler; and Larry Medlock, chaplain.

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Written by West Citrus Elks

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On Sept. 6, West Citrus Elks Lodge #2693 held a sock hop and collected 534 pairs of socks donated by members for The Path, a rescue mission in Beverly Hills, offering shelter and other services.

Pictured are Mike Floch, Exalted Ruler; Debbie Lawrence and Jill Jeroski, House Committee members; Susie Radigan from The Path; and Roxanne Bartosek, House Committee member.

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Written by Lynn Monahan

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On Oct. 22, members from Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 met students from Robert E. Willis Elementary School as they entered the school and provided them with 800 Drug Awareness packets filled with coloring books, crayons, Drug Awareness bookmarks and Red Ribbons. Teachers and parents were excited to see Elroy the Elk (member Colin Murphy) and Elroy received many hugs and high fives!

Pictured are Paul Garcia, Exalted Ruler; a father and his two children; Elroy the Elk; Christopher Keim, Inner Guard; Dee Pico-Keim, PER, Drug Awareness State Chair; and Phyllis Morales, Willis Elementary certified school counselor and Elk.

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Written by Deborah Reedy, PER

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On Aug. 9, Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 hosted a casino night fundraiser for the Brotherhood Ride, an organization that honors the service and sacrifice of first responders. During the evening, the lodge presented a $4,500 donation to Brotherhood Ride founder, Jeff Morris. In addition, the lodge raised another $3,864, a portion of which will be used to provide dinner and breakfast when the Brotherhood Ride visits the lodge Oct. 24. Nine businesses sponsored tables and Mission BBQ donated some of the food.

Pictured are Jeff Morse, Brotherhood Ride founder; Deborah Reedy, PER, Lodge Secretary; Brent Reedy, Exalted Ruler; and Cindy Morse; Brotherhood Ride Secretary.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

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On Sept. 30, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 made presentations to support two community services. The lodge donated $1,000 from charity bingo to The Way Free Medical Clinic, whose mission is to improve access to health care and provide free medical services to uninsured, low-income residents of Clay County. The lodge also used a portion of the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to provide 25 tote bags filled with household items, snacks and a grocery store gift card to Aging True Green Cove Springs Senior Center. 

Pictured are Andrea Crowder, The Way executive director; Jennifer Parker, PER, Exalted Ruler; Jacqueline Bennett, senior center supervisor; Barbara Jimenez, senior center assistant supervisor; and Dianne Schaub, senior center volunteer.

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Written by Gainesville Elks

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The Elks Riders of Gainesville Lodge #990 held the Rolling for Hope Ride Sept. 13, which raised $6,100 for Hope Long and her mom, Jackie Long. Jackie told the Riders that this gift will change her life. Elks Rider member Kerstin Roberts stated, "Hope was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome as a baby, followed by cerebral palsy at the age of three. She has continued to face significant medical challenges, most recently enduring a three-month stay in the hospital, adding to her family’s already overwhelming medical expenses. Her mother, Jackie Long, is a breast cancer survivor who has faced her own medical battles and financial strain. This event was our chance to rally together and help ease the burden for this incredible family."

Elks Rider member Kerstin Roberts presents the check to Jackie Long

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

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Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 recently raised $12,432 from member donations as well as activities such as the lodge’s fourth annual Oktoberfest, held Sept. 20, and other lodge social events. The public was welcome at Oktoberfest, which was held on the lodge patio by the bay water. There were performances by The Polka Dots, The Good Lookings and DJ Tizzy Totten. German bratwursts and sides and German beers were available for purchase. There were feats of strength competitions, such as keg tosses and beer stein challenges. In lieu of admission tickets, the lodge asked for a donation at the door for the Elks National Foundation and children’s charities. The donations from these recent events were presented Sept. 27 at the State President's district visit — $2,616 to Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services, $9,216 to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund and $600 to the Army of Hope.

Pictured at Oktoberfest are The Polka Dots with Regina Scott, Oktoberfest Chair, and Marcia WrightReynolds, Exalted Ruler and board chair, and Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, emcee. Pictured at the donation presentation are Jeff Rumler, PDD, Harry-Anna Trust Fund State Chair; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; Marcia WrightReynolds; and Mike Chandler, State President.

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Written by Lakeland Elks

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On Sept. 5, Lakeland Elks Lodge donated its $3,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Read Lakeland Adult Tutoring. This program offers free tutoring services to adult nonreaders, helping them improve their literacy skills through one-on-one or small group sessions.

Pictured are Devindra Ramdehal, lodge member and works for Read Lakeland; Beth Hasseltinie and Amanda Dunyk of Read Lakeland; and Char Fisher, lodge member.