East Central District

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Written by Bev Muscatello

Ormond Beach Elks Lodge #2193 sponsors the Fun Time Bowlers each year using its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Fun Time Bowlers is a bowling league for individuals with mental challenges and disabilities. The lodge pays for weekly bowling, T-shirts and medals. On Nov. 7, the following members are pictured at Ormond Lanes receiving an award from the group in appreciation of their support — John Andrews, Jackie Andrews, Bev Muscatello, Gerri Madden, Erica Barger, Bruce Card, Carl Muscatello, Sherman Burress and Donna Foisey.

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Written by Frank Kuczkowski, PER

Port Orange Elks Lodge #2723 held its monthly lunch at First Step Homeless Shelter in Daytona Beach, Florida, Nov. 7. Lodge members grill and serve the lunch and also donate items to present in gift bags to the residents. The food is purchased using funds from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Volunteers from DeLand Elks Lodge #1463 also assisted. Pictured in the front row are Isabel Harris, weekend kitchen director; Barbara Thompson; Debbie Nordgren; and Frank Kuczkowski, PER. Pictured in the back row are Dan Black; Gary VanOpdorp, PER, Exalted Ruler; Vickie Black; Paulette Hand; Michelle Greci; Gary Hand; and Mark Thompson, PDD.

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Written by Merritt Island Elks

On Oct. 7, Merritt Island Elks Lodge #2650 used its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to help a local learning institution purchase some badly needed computers for the teachers and students. The Brevard Private Academy in Merritt Island, Florida, is a school for kids who don’t fit into the public school system. This school keeps these kids from falling through the cracks and gives them the opportunity to get an education. Because the grant did not cover all the equipment needed, the lodge added an extra $1,686. Cheree Shaykhian, president of the academy, started to tear up as she thanked the lodge members and presented the lodge with a plaque. Pictured are Kim Johnson, Lodge Secretary; Shaykhian; and Jim Gregg, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Davina Watercutter

On Oct. 31, DeLand Elks Lodge #1463 and three local businesses participated in a community contactless Trunk or Treat Halloween event, each at their own locations. There were 211 cars that attended their drive-thru. The Elks distributed thousands of pieces of candy to over 500 children along with Drug Awareness coloring books. All the candy and pretzels were donated by lodge members. Pictured along with the drive-thru are lodge members Warren Kerswill and Desiree Templeton. Other members dressed up in costumes for the event as well.

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Written by Merritt Island Elks

Merritt Island Elks Lodge #2650 awarded three $2,000 scholarships to recent high school graduates — Elizabeth Davey of Merritt Island High School who will be pursuing a degree in criminal justice at the University of North Florida, Kahlil Cole of Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School who will be pursuing a degree in engineering at Florida A & M University; and Sophia Sardella of Merritt Island High School who will be pursuing a degree in biology at the University of North Florida. Sophia was also the recipient of an Elks National Foundation Legacy Award scholarship. Because of the pandemic, the scholarships were mailed to the students July 29 instead of being presented in person.