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North District
Food Pantry Receives Grants from Perry Elks Lodge
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- Written by Perry Elks
In January, Perry Lodge donated its $2500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the First United Methodist Church Food Pantry.
Pictured are James Taylor, church representative, and Clayton Huff, Exalted Ruler.
Also in January, Perry Lodge shared its $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant with the First United Methodist Church Food Pantry.
Pictured are Clayton Huff, Exalted Ruler; Kristy and Dan Anderson of First United Methodist Church; Earline Neeley, Lodge Secretary; and Kevin Cruce, lodge trustee.
Perry Elks Sponsor Participants in State and Regional Soccer Shoots
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- Written by Perry Elks
Perry Elks Lodge #1851 sponsored two participants in the State and Southeast Regional Soccer Shoots held at the Florida Elks Youth Camp Jan. 8 and Jan. 22-23. Ada Weatherly won first place in the state contest for girls under 10 and Harper Taylor won first place in the state and regional contests for boys under 8. Harper advanced to the national contest.
Pictured are Harper Taylor and Ada Weatherly at the camp with their trophies.
North District Elks Lodges Sponsor Cornhole Tournament for Harry-Anna Trust Fund
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- Written by North District
The lodges of the North District — Live Oak #1165, Tallahassee #937, Perry #1851 and Lake City #893 — sponsored a district cornhole tournament during the State President visit with more than 100 members in attendance Jan. 15 at Lake City Lodge. Cornhole champions, John Dill, PDD of Live Oak Lodge and Andy Buergo of Lake City Lodge donated their winnings to the Harry-Anna Fund along with the other funds raised from the tournament, totaling over $850.
Pictured are State President Susan Simonelli; John Dill, PDD; Andy Buergo of Lake City Lodge; and Dayna Miller, State Harry-Anna Trust Fund Chair.
Lake City Elks Lodge Present Grants to Two Organizations Feeding the Community
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- Written by Lake City Elks
Lake City Elks Lodge #893 donated $2,750 each from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to two organizations that provide food relief assistance for seniors and children. Columbia County Senior Services (CCSS) serves the aging population of 60+ in Columbia County with home and community-based services. Their mission is to assist these adults in maintaining their physical, mental, emotional and nutritional health needs. Backpacks For Kids is an ongoing partnership with the local chapter of Altrusa International and local elementary schools. The program provides backpacks with food for local children for the weekend. Guidance counselors in elementary schools identify students who are in need or living below poverty level. The backpacks provide the children with nonperishable, easy-to-open foods for their weekend, as most would go without food while at home due to increased financial hardships for families. Both organizations have experienced an increase in requests from those in need. Several lodge members volunteer weekly to pack and deliver the backpack food to schools.
Pictured March 17 at the check presentation to Altrusa International of Lake City, Florida, are Barbara Doonan, Altrusan; Brooke Meng, lodge member; Renee Williams, Lodge Secretary; Holly Fraizer, Altrusan; and Roberta Getzen, Altrusa President.
Pictured March 18 presenting a check to David Huckabee, Director of Columbia County Senior Services, are Renee Williams, Lodge Secretary; Stanley Cox, PDD, Lodge Treasurer; Judy Harden, Lodge Chaplain; Stephanie Bennett, Elk-Mates Chaplain; Chris Williams, lodge trustee; and Bruce Desoe, lodge member.
Lake City Elks Host Annual Children's Christmas Party
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- Written by Lake City Elks
On Dec. 18, Lake City Lodge and Halpatter Brewing Company co-hosted the fourth annual Santa Jam. This event raises funds and collects toys for the lodge’s annual Santa’s toy party for children. The event raises awareness of the party and has many community and lodge volunteers including local bands that perform. This year’s participating bands were Black River Harvesters, Wally Germany and Friends, Branford HWY and Clean Slate Band. The event raised nearly $1,100 for the Christmas party.
Lake City Lodge has held Santa’s toy party for children for 90 years. On Dec. 24, Santa met with more than 250 children and each child received at least one toy and a bicycle thanks to the generous support of the members and community, who raised over $6,000.
Pictured is a Lake City Fire Department firefighter driving Santa Claus (Joshua Fuller, Lecturing Knight) and his helpers (PDD Christopher Lydick, Danielle Evans and Michelle Fuller) to the lodge in an antique firetruck.
Also pictured are Delia Howe and Shelby Romine looking at a toy baby stroller in Santa’s toy shoppe during the party.
Lake City Elks Hosts Annual Hoop Shoot
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- Written by Lake City Elks
Lake City Lodge held its annual Hoop Shoot Dec. 14 at Columbia High School. Fifty local youth aged 8 to 13 participated in this free throw competition. All participants received medals and trophies were given to the winners. The winners from each age group advanced to the regional competition. Approximately 1,500 local youth participated at the school level. Thirteen lodge members volunteered.
Pictured are Trey Hosford, member and Columbia High School principal; Harper Hosford; Maliek Griffin; Ryleigh Price; Parker Lang; Harliegh Price; Brandon Lovett; and Jay Swisher, PER.
Lake City Elks Participate in 200th Founders Day Event
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- Written by Lake City Elks
On Nov. 20, Lake City Elks Lodge #893 promoted its drug awareness program at Columbia County’s 200th anniversary Founders Day event. There were more than 1,000 children and families engaged in games and activities throughout the day, and Elroy the Elk was in attendance to greet the children.
Pictured are members John Smith, Elroy the Elk (Bill Roberts) and Dr. Christopher Esing, Founders Day chair.
Perry Elks Help Purchase New Freezer for Taylor Senior Citizen Center
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- Written by Perry Elks
In early December, Perry Lodge donated $3,000 to the Taylor Senior Citizens Center (TSCC) to help in the replacement cost of their walk-in freezer.
Pictured are Earline Neely, Lodge Secretary; Bill Brynes, member; Fonda Neel, Esquire; and Diane Landry, TSCC Director.
Perry Elks Lodge Sponsors Cub Scout Troop
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- Written by Perry Elks
In October, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 began sponsoring “A New Beginning” Cub Scout Troop 603, which held its first meeting at the old Boy Scout Troop 600 facility in Perry, Florida. The lodge sponsors the facility for their meetings and offers financial support.
Pictured Oct. 15 are Dan and Daniel Cassel; Jesse and Jameson Young; Adrienne, Catalina and Desmond Tish; Levi, Pierce and Jackson Lowry; and Brian Tish, cubmaster.
Perry Elks Lodge Hosts Soccer Shoot
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- Written by Perry Elks
On Oct. 16, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 held its Soccer Shoot at the lodge.
Pictured are Yancie Brannen, Lodge Soccer Shoot Chair, with the following winners: girls under 12 — Missy Sunderland, first place; Elizah Freeman, second place; boys under 12 — Trey Lytle, first place; Nolan Amman, second place; girls under 14 — Autumn Young, first place; boys under 14 — Evan Blanton, first place; Bain Brannen, second place; girls under 16 — Hannah Cruce, first place; Faith Gray, second place; and boys under 16 — Landen Patrick, first place.
Perry Lady Elks Support Lodge Scholarship Fund
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- Written by Perry Elks
The Perry Lady Elks raised $1,310 for the lodge scholarship fund from a bake sale held at the lodge. Pictured April 13 are Clayton Huff, Exalted Ruler, accepting the check from Darnell McLeod, Lady Elks President, and Carol Cruce, Lady Elks Treasurer.
Lake City Lodge Awards Seven $1,000 Scholarships to Graduating Seniors
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- Written by Lake City Elks
On May 13, Jay Swisher, PER represented the Lake City Elks Lodge scholarship committee and presented five $1,000 scholarships for high academic achievement and dedication to leadership at the Columbia High School senior awards night. These scholarships were made possible through funds raised by the lodge’s annual charity golf tournament. Recipients pictured at the top are Christa Upshaw and Isabella Maranto. On the bottom are Reagan McCormick, Jameisha Miller and Josef Walker. Two additional scholarships were awarded at Fort White High School’s scholarship presentation to Carole Dougherty and Khushil Patel.