Lake City Elks Lodge #893 donated $500 July7 to support the PBJ Campaign, a local summer initiative in June and July benefiting families served by the Florida Gateway Food Bank and Catholic Charities Lake City Region. This campaign provides children and families with simple, nutritious lunches, specifically peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This donation helped supply approximately 500 loaves of sandwich bread.
Pictured are Renee Williams, Exalted Ruler; Shannon Moser, Catholic Charities regional director; and Renee LeBlanc, Catholic Charities case manager.
The Space Coast Antlers of Cocoa Beach Lodge sponsored a ‘60s themed dinner June 6 and donated half of their proceeds, $245, to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund for the Florida Youth Camp, as many of them spend a week a camp and enjoy every minute.
Antlers pictured in the back are Michael Butler, Jaden Haddock, Milane Cognetti, Attia Cognetti and Roma Cognetti. Antlers pictured in the front are Leo Haddock, Liam Russell, Khloe Trent and Ruby Earich.
On July 29, Florida Keys Elks Lodge’s Vets on the Water program granted the wish of 93-year-old Vietnam veteran Marlin, who is in hospice, to go fishing one more time. He is pictured with his daughter. Vets on the Water was originally funded by the Elks National Foundation $10,000 Impact Grant for four years, but it is now solely supported by lodge fundraisers. The program funds several water activities for veterans, including going out on a sailboat, snorkeling, group fishing on charter boats and touring the Keys.
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Lake City Lodge held a fundraiser May 10 at the lodge for Ricky Crawford, a Columbia County community member battling cancer. The event raised $20,545 for the Crawford family. The benefit featured a barbecue dinner prepared by member Jerry Bullard, a live auction hosted by member Kerry Waldron, and entertainment from a local band. The event also served as a membership drive, showcasing the heart, fellowship and service that define the Elks.
Pictured are Jerry Solenski, Leading Knight; Stanley Cox, PDD, Treasurer; Ricky Crawford, benefit recipient; and Jerry Bullard, member.
On Aug. 4, Naples Elks Lodge #2010 donated a hurricane kit to Warrior Homes of Collier County (WHC), which works to end veteran homelessness. The kit included a battery backup pack, pair of ready-to-go portable rechargeable lanterns and a supply of batteries. Funds for the kit came from the $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant.
Pictured are Arlene Hansen, Lodge Secretary; Kim LeBetz, Lodge Treasurer; Barbara Salkow, Warrior Homes board member; Adam Stanbro and Shiv Mangra, veteran recipients; and Brian Kamp, Lodge Grants Coordinator.
On June 1, Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 promoted the Elks Drug Awareness program at the Wellborn Blueberry Festival on the Wellborn Community Center grounds. Elks provided Drug Awareness materials to children and families, helping educate and empower the community with tools for making healthy and safe choices. Elroy the Elk, always a crowd favorite, spread joy, smiles and important messages to kids and adults.
Pictured are Elroy the Elk (Drug Awareness Committee member Chad Hurst) posing with a local child. Also pictured are Verna Hurst, Drug Awareness Chair; Chad Hurst, Drug Awareness Committee Member; and Mikell Cook, Lecturing Knight.
Lake City Elks Lodge #893 used proceeds from its April golf tournament to award $17,750 in scholarships to local high school seniors. Scholarships were awarded to 11 seniors at Columbia High School and four seniors at Fort White High School, recognizing students who exemplify academic excellence, community involvement and leadership. Presentations were made at Columbia High School May 6 and at Fort White High School May 8.
Pictured at CHS are Scholarship chair, Greg Beckman; students Lainey Grinstead, Peyton Sapp, Taylor Carroll, Bethany Toreky, Haidyn Markham, Abigail Young, Madison Bailey, Tai’Kenyan Forest, Jalesia Mayo, Cate Chancey, and Connor Sheilds; and Golf chair, Jerry Solenski.
Pictured at FWHS are Scholarship chair, Greg Beckman; students Hunter Southwell, Morgan Kelly, Kadence Compton, and Kaleigh Clements-Hamric; and Exalted Ruler, Renee Williams.
On May 28, Tony Cummins and Kristen Siegel, the two teachers spearheading the Bull's Butler Children in Need program at Parrish Community High School, invited Parrish Elks Linda Tetrault, LeeAnn Mitchell, Ken Knight and Anthony D’Abbraccio, PER, to the school to receive a note of thanks from the students for all the lodge did for their program the past year. It was a 36" x 91" banner created by the students and signed by students and teachers. The lodge again received Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants for the PCHS program this coming year for $14,000, which will be used for high-end items.
Pictured are teacher Tony Cummins; members Ken Knight, LeeAnn Mitchell, Linda Tetrault, and Anthony D'Abbraccio; teacher Kristen Siegel; and Principal Daniel Bradshaw.