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Northwest District
Fort Walton Elks Celebrate First Responders Day with Free Breakfast
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 celebrated First Responders Day Oct. 28 by serving a free breakfast buffet to all first responders of Okaloosa County. More than 75 responders attended from law enforcement, military police and the Destin Coast Guard Station.
Pictured are Pam Lee, member; Linda Mayfield, District Vice President; Charlie Nix, Okaloosa County Undersheriff; Eric Aden, Okaloosa County Sheriff and member; Michael Jacobs, Shalimar Chief of Police and member; Kenny Salter, member and lodge chef; and Jackie Pilcher, member.
Fort Walton Elks Take Part in Trunk or Treat at ABA Behavioral Health Organization Event
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Oct. 21, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 members participated in the ABA Behavioral Health Organization’s annual Trunk or Treat festival. The ABA provides assistance and treatment for young people ages 4 to 22 with autism diagnosed with behavioral issues.
Pictured are member Regina Scott and Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary.
Holley-Navarre Elks Present Award to U.S. Navy JROTC Cadet
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Sept. 17, Tom Stevens, PDD, Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, presented the Outstanding Leadership and Excellence Award to cadet Burke Sayer from the Navarre High School U.S. Navy Jr ROTC for his dedication and commitment to the Jr ROTC, school and community. Pictured with them is Navy science instructor, Emily Robinson, Chief Petty Officer, USN retired.
Holley-Navarre Elks Recognize Americanism Essay Contest Winner
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On May 6, Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge #2787 presented American essay contest winner Ava Gordon with her awards at a ceremony at her school. She is a student in Mrs. Dierigs' fifth grade class at Saint Mary Catholic School in Fort Walton Beach. She was the only participant from the school to submit an essay. Ava won first place in the Northwest District, receiving a check for $100. She also won second place in her age division at the state level, receiving a $750 check from the Florida State Elks Association.
Pictured are Tom Stevens, PER, Exalted Ruler; Suzanne White, Lodge Secretary; Ava Gordon; and Tom McLaughlin, PER, District Americanism Chair.
Fort Walton Elks Donate Spotlight Grant to Sharing & Caring of Okaloosa County Inc.
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On March 24, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Sharing & Caring of Okaloosa County Inc., located in Fort Walton Beach, Niceville and Crestview. Sharing & Caring is an emergency food source for those in need who qualify within the guidelines. Their clients include families, children, seniors, and those who are homeless or unemployed. They are one of the leading referral agencies by churches, other social agencies and word of mouth.
Pictured are Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, trustee and board chair; Paul Eubanks, PER, trustee and Lodge Grants Chair; Mark Wynn, Loyal Knight; Joe Reames, trustee; Marcia WrightReynolds, Exalted Ruler; Ken Winzeler, Sharing & Caring of Okaloosa County Inc. president; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; Terri Griffin, Leading Knight; Kathy Pacheco, trustee; Mary Ann Coalt, Treasurer; Tom Knowles, PER, trustee; Cindy Carter, chaplain; and Tom McLaughlin, PER, Tiler.
Pensacola Beach Elks Casserole Brunch Fundraiser Supports Florida Elks Autism Programs
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Feb. 23, Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 held a casserole brunch fundraiser for Florida State Elks Association autism programs. Shelli Branch, lodge autism committee chair, solicited members and friends to donate a breakfast casserole. The event raised $827.
Pictured are lodge members Tina Gramenz, Alissa Gramenz, Beckey Berms, Shelli Branch, Jackie Bayne, Vickey Buttino, Amy Miller, Karen Kriegel, JoDee Cattrell and Ellen Hunt.
Fort Walton Elks Host Chili Cook-off to Fundraise for Florida Elks Charities
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Feb. 15, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 held its annual chili cook-off fundraiser for the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, which supports Florida Elks charities, and raised $710.
Pictured in the back is Robert Griffin. In the front are Jamie Clemons, Secretary; Terri Griffin, PER, Loyal Knight; Cindy Foster Carter; Tom McLaughlin, PER, Esquire; and Mark Wynn, Lecturing Knight.
Pensacola Beach Elks Adopt Two Families for the Holidays
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On December 23 Pensacola Beach Lodge adopted two families from the Santa Rosa County School District for the holidays. The lodge used its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and provided $500 to each family. Each family gift included Christmas dinner (to be assembled) and gifts for the children.
Pictured Dec. 23 are Wayne Levchik, PER; Ken Branch, District Vice President; and Jim Rodriguez, PER.
Fort Walton Elks Lodge Gives Back to Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Dec. 20, Fort Walton Lodge donated $1,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. The lodge has used the wonderful gymnasium at the local club for several years for the lodge Hoop Shoot. The donation will support the vast array of kids’ before-school and after-school programs that are operated daily.
Pictured are Taz WrightReynolds, PER, Hoop Shoot Chair; directors Chris Wade, Marcus Broadnax, Zakina Judd, and Nina Guilford; and Marcia WrightReynolds, Leading Knight.
Fort Walton Elks Support Choctawhatchee High School JV Soccer Team
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Dec. 19, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 donated $500 to the Choctawhatchee High School junior varsity soccer team. The funds will be used to buy equipment and for day-to-day operations.
Pictured with the team are Travis Rovillo, JV coach, and Tom McLaughlin, PER, Lodge and District Soccer Shoot Chair.
Pensacola Beach Elks Host Blood Drive
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Nov. 17, Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 held a blood drive, coordinated by member Celeste Whisenant. The Big Red Bus, with all the members who supported it, collected 30 pints of blood that day.
Pictured are lodge and Ladies member Tina Riske; KB Branch, District Vice President; and lodge and Ladies member Celeste Whisenant.
Twin Cities Elks Donate $6,000 Grant to One Hopeful Place
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- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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Twin Cities Elks Lodge #2747 donated its $6,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant Oct. 15 to One Hopeful Place, an organization that helps those experiencing homelessness in Okaloosa County. OHP offers programs and services for those seeking self-sufficiency and operates affordable housing for unaccompanied men and women. The grant will be used to purchase needed supplies for the organization.
Pictured are Robin Donlin, OHP staff; Tom Casey, lodge trustee; Kathy Casey, Americanism Chair; Liz Qualiana, OHP staff; Rick Woelfl, PDVP-NW, ENF Fundraising Chair; Donna Morgan, OHP staff; and Bonnie Barlow, OHP staff.