On Feb. 21, Edgewater-New Smyrna Beach Elks Lodge #1557 donated $8,500 to their main charity, Gifts of Love Food Bank, which came from their Elks National Foundation Gratitude/Beacon and Spotlight grants. The lodge provides them with a separate building and allows them to operate on their property.
Pictured are Marti Miller, Exalted Ruler, and Sammi Hartwell, Gifts of Love director.
Using its Harry-Anna Trust Fund matching grant, Titusville Lodge donated $2,000 Jan. 22 to Life Point Ministries, which provides clothing, food, showers, hygiene items, cold-night shelters and holiday meals to those who are homeless. Every Thursday, they provide hot showers and hot meals. The ministry is entirely supported by community donations.
Pictured are Wayne Becraft, PER, Lodge Secretary; Royce “Scooter” Morrison, pastor; and Pete DeMonte, Exalted Ruler.
On Jan. 9, Titusville Elks Lodge #2113 donated $4,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to The Children's Hunger Project, which helps to feed Brevard County's most vulnerable children on weekends.
Pictured are Wayne Becraft, PER; Cheryl Cominsky, The Children’s Hunger Project director; Pete DeMonte, Exalted Ruler; Diane DeMonte, member; and Doris Becraft, PER.
On Dec. 9, Sanford Elks and their guests participated in Downtown Sanford’s Parade of Lights, which had more than 4,000 attendees. Elks passed out candy, which was donated by members, and rode on their float, which featured displays of the state’s major projects, Hoop Shoot, and Army of Hope and special guest, Elroy the Elk.
Pictured are members with the banner, the float, and members and guests with the float.
On Nov. 23, Edgewater-New Smyrna Beach Lodge hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for members and guests as well as people in the community who either didn't have family in the area or couldn't afford to spend the money for a dinner. Marti Miller, Exalted Ruler, cooked six donated turkeys and along with several volunteers served side dishes and desserts brought in from other members. More than 50 people attended this event. Donations were accepted and $350 has been donated to the Harry-Anna Trust Fund.
Pictured are some of the attendees.