East Central District

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Written by Frank Kuczkowski, PER

On Aug. 22, Port Orange Elks Lodge #2723 held its first luncheon which will be a monthly event at the First Step Homeless Shelter in Daytona, Florida. The grill used to cook the luncheon was purchased by the lodge along with a grill cover, propane tanks and propane using $696.70 from its $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Along with the grill, members donated $450 to purchase bags, snacks and supplies which were distributed to the residents of the shelter. The shelter operates a safe zone where people experiencing homelessness have the option to become a temporary resident or just spend the day. Operating the grill are Dan Black, trustee, and Gary VanOpdorp, PER, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Titusville Elks

Titusville Elks Lodge #2113 raised money from bingo to award three $1,000 academic scholarships to area seniors. Jared Rymkos from Titusville High School will study computer engineering, Jenna Koller from Astronaut High School will study journalism; and Brooke Stone from Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School will study criminal justice. Because of the lodge’s closure due to the pandemic, checks were mailed for the students at the end of June instead of being awarded during a presentation.

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Written by Erika Barger

Ormond Beach Elks Lodge #2193 awarded three lodge scholarships in the amount of $750 each to local high school seniors June 26 at the lodge. Recipients were Ana Sanchez and Logan Stewart of Seabreeze High School and Ryan Waddell of Father Lopez Catholic High School. Students were presented with scholarship certificates following a steak dinner for the recipients and their families. Most of the schools these students attend did not host an in-person senior awards ceremony. Pictured are Michael Chandler, PDD, Scholarship Committee member; Ana Sanchez; Ryan Waddell; and Erika Barger, Lodge Scholarship Chair and Vice President of the East Central District. Logan Stewart was unable to attend the presentation.

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Written by Davina Watercutter

DeLand Lodge donated $1,000 of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to the Pregnancy Center of Deltona which provides services such as pregnancy tests and referrals to OB offices to females who are homeless or who have low incomes. They also supply new mothers with diapers, formula and other newborn needs.

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Written by Davina Watercutter

During the coronavirus pandemic, DeLand Elks Lodge #1463 has partnered with Neighborhood Center of West Volusia in DeLand, Florida, by providing grant money to stock their pantry. The lodge donated its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and $1,500 of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to the center. Members also donate nonperishable items. The Neighborhood Center provides an emergency food bank, food pantry, emergency bill assistance, emergency housing, counseling, referral services and living skills groups. Another service the center provides is the delivery of food to seniors who are homebound. Davina Watercutter, Lodge Secretary, volunteered to be a driver on behalf of the lodge. She delivered canned goods, meat, bread, desserts and other dry pantry goods to seniors who could not afford food or who could not go out in public due to transportation or medical reasons. Watercutter describes her volunteering. “As secretary of the lodge, I felt that I needed to lead by example what Elks are all about. We have many new members and they need guidance. What better way to show them and possible new members what we do for our community. Delivering to these seniors made a difference in their lives as it did mine. Many of them have no money. What was even more amazing was I would deliver the food and they in turn would share their food with neighbors!” Watercutter is pictured April 21 in her vehicle on a delivery day.