North District

Details

Written by Beverly Pittman-Pardee

Live Oak Lodge members arrived at the Mount Gilead Baptist Church Food Ministry June 24 to deliver their $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant but ended up jumping in to help with the food pickup event that was underway. They helped bag food and produce and they filled buggies and took them out to waiting families in a line of cars. Founder Gary Watson and his team were grateful for the grant and stated, "We receive very little here at no cost. A majority of the food we give away has to be purchased and we generally get it at a reduced rate in bulk, but still there is a cost. I reach out to local farmers as well for produce at a reduced rate if they have extra on hand that they can not sell otherwise. This $2,000 will certainly help with those costs.” Every other Saturday is a food pickup day for approximately 600 qualifying families per month from Suwannee County, with about 1,400 family members served. At 5 a.m., 25 to 30 volunteers start preparing to serve those who are already forming a car line. The volunteers range in age from 10 to 88. They spend the two weeks in between pickup days acquiring the food and other items needed. On the Thursday prior to pickup, they meet at the ministry pantry and bag nonperishable items to keep the line moving quickly on Saturday.

Pictured is Lori Watson, Lodge grants coordinator, presenting the check to Gary Watson, Mount Gilead Baptist Church Food Ministry founder. Also pictured are Elks and ministry volunteers.

Details

Written by Earline Neeley

Perry Elks Lodge donated $1,000 to the Taylor County High School JROTC program.

Pictured is Eric Hodge, Exalted Ruler, April 14, with a school representative.

Details

Written by Earline Neeley

On April 3, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 donated $250 to Taylor County Baseball Association using part of its matching Harry-Anna Investment Fund grant.

Eric Hodge, Exalted Ruler, presented the check to Drew Taylor.

Details

Written by Lake City Elks

Lake City Elks Lodge and its ladies organization, the Elk-Mates, celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week May 8-12 at Columbia County Schools. They provided meals, prizes and $500 to Eastside Elementary School, Lake City Middle School and Columbia High School. The principals at these schools, Roger Little Jr., Dennis Dotson and Trey Hosford, are all lodge members.

Pictured is a thank-you note filled with signatures from Eastside Elementary staff members.

Details

Written by Lake City Elks

Lake City Elks Lodge #893 held its first Safety Day April 15. More than 25 agencies and businesses came out to support Lake City youth and the Florida Elks Youth Camp, including agencies such as Lake City Police, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Century Ambulance, U.S. Border Patrol, SWAT and the National Forestry Service. Fifteen local high school students from a prep school helped set up and talked with kids about the Florida Elks Youth Camp. Elroy the Elk was present to share about Drug Awareness and meet local children. The lodge also used this opportunity for a membership drive, which gained a lot of interest, with more than 400 people in attendance.

Pictured are Kate Reeves, member Adam Reeves’ spouse; member Demarcus Graham; and Scott Carroll, PER, North District Drug Awareness Chair. Also pictured are Maryann Hunter; Mark Hunter, member and Columbia County Sheriff; and Elroy the Elk (Bill Roberts, Loyal Knight).

Details

Written by Lake City Elks

On April 29, Lake City Elks Lodge #893 held a golf tournament at Quail Heights Country Club with more than 20 teams of golfers. More than $15,000 was raised for high school scholarships. Greg Beckman, golf committee chair, and many lodge volunteers worked tirelessly to host this major annual event for the benefit of the youth in Columbia County. 

Pictured are members Tom Elinsakas, Ron Foreman, Tim Griffith and Greg Beckman, golf committee chair.