Details

Written by Carla Ray Rhymes

Members of the Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 Americanism Committee volunteered with the Parent Teacher Association of Waterleaf Elementary Oct. 25 for the Student of the Month awards ceremony. Safety patrol members began the day by raising the American flag. Volunteers passed out “Honor our Flag” decals, children’s guides to the Pledge of Allegiance, and Drug Awareness red ribbons to children and parents in the morning car line. They set up snacks for the Star Students, hand painting and decorating. Elroy the Elk celebrated Red Ribbon Week by providing Drug Awareness literature. Fang, the Jacksonville Icemen’s mascot, also attended. The event included the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence and the national anthem, sung by the Waterleaf Wolves chorus.

Pictured are students raising the flag; future Elk Eli Smith passing out red ribbons; safety patrol members; and Elroy, a Star Student and Fang.

Details

Written by Pauline Talbott

On Oct. 14, Sebastian Elks Lodge #2714 supported the Sebastian Police Department COPE Unit’s third annual golf tournament with a $1,200 donation and registering two teams to play. Lodge members also ran the 50/50 and chance auction. The mission of the COPE Unit is to create partnerships between the community and the Sebastian Police Department, to develop and employ proactive crime prevention strategies, and to promote the department’s resources to the community.

Pictured are Pauline Talbott, FLOE President; Mary Ducharme, Sebastian Ladies Treasurer; Dan Talbott, Exalted Ruler; Officer Donald Hart; and Lesa Darnell. 

Details

Written by Rose Goodrich, PER

On Sept. 1, Dunedin/Clearwater Elks Lodge #1525 held a luau, with dance performances by a guest professional Hawaiian dancer, Miriam Schafer. With 130 members in attendance, the lodge raised $450 by selling leis. The funds were donated to aid those affected by the fires on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Schafer received a tremendous response when she asked for members to join her in dance.

Pictured are members along with Miriam Schafer, near the center, wearing a headdress.

Details

Written by Carol Lee Spages

Members Elizabeth Groves and Carol Lee Spages represented New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284 Sept. 23 while participating in a large community event called Stronger Together Recovery Walk. The event took place in Sims Park in New Port Richey, Florida, and supported drug awareness and local addiction support groups. Event participants were invited to wear goggles that mimicked drug impairment. They tried walking heel to toe, catching a ball, and picking up and tossing a ball. Red ribbons were given to participants. The Lodge had previously collaborated with the sponsors of these local drug awareness events and was invited back.

Participant Hailey Gurney is pictured trying the goggles.

Details

Written by Erika Barger, PDD

On Sept. 2, Ormond Beach Elks Lodge #2193 held its first duck drop fundraiser. The lodge invited community members to participate in its Labor Day weekend festivities, including food and food trucks, music, games, raffles, an auction, a cake walk, cornhole, face painting by Girl Scout Troop 825, and more. The Elks Drug Awareness trailer was used and Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services therapist Althea Montgomery, OT. The main event was the dropping of more than 1,100 rubber ducks onto the lodge parking lot from a helicopter supplied by Tomlinson Aviation and member Neal Tomlinson and piloted by member Joe Horton. Prizes were awarded to those whose ducks landed closest to the target. Debbie and Mickey Symington were the first place winners, who donated part of their $500 prize to the lodge. The second place prize was a helicopter tour package for three, and the third place prize was $250. The event raised more than $5,500 to support lodge and Elks charitable programs, including the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, Elks National Foundation, the lodge scholarship program, the drug awareness program, holiday gift and food baskets, and the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.

Pictured is the helicopter dropping rubber ducks.

Details

Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Sept. 17, Crestview Elks Lodge #2624 used its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to help remodel and upgrade resident rooms at Crestview Manor, an assisted living home in Crestview, Florida. Lodge members also actively participated in the work. These projects included flooring, painting and building fences. This was the first stage of lodge participation. Future endeavors will include laying new flooring in the rooms and other upgrades. The manor provides affordable, supportive living for people who are disabled or recuperating and for seniors with low or modest incomes. Approximately 40% of residents are veterans.

Pictured with Dustin, Crestview Manor maintenance manager, are lodge members Don Pilcher, Amanda Rappelli, Will Rogers, Aime Snelgrove, Chris Snelgrove, Kelly Cotton, Niki Pilcher, Joe Rappelli and Ray Short.