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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Sept. 22, the Fort Walton Elks Lodge PER Association held a very successful golf tournament at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Course in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The active association has raised thousands of dollars to support the community, lodge and special projects. This tournament raised $8,040 for the PER Association scholarship fund for students of lodge members and friends to help defray the cost of tuition at colleges and universities.

Past Exalted Rulers pictured in the back row are Paul Willey, Taz WrightReynolds and Paul Eubanks. Past Exalted Rulers in the front row are Linda Mayfield, PER Association president; Tom Knowles; and Kevin Clemons, PDD, Northwest District Leader and tournament chair.

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Written by Deborah Reedy, PER

Jacksonville Lodge delivered its seventh ENVSC Welcome Home Kit Aug. 13 to Mark, a Marine veteran who graduated from the Five Star Veterans Center program. The Five Star Veterans Center is a residential facility for veterans with mental and physical health issues. Their Passport to Independence program is an intense 12-month program to help them successfully transition to a healthy, independent lifestyle.

Pictured with the trailer filled with furniture are Karen Tracy, Lodge Veterans Services Chair; John Pipkins, House Committee member; and Robin Pipkins, Leading Knight, Lodge Elks National Foundation Fundraising Chair and District Elks National Foundation Grants Chair. Also pictured are Karen Tracy, David Graham, Robin Pipkins and Mark.