When several members of Winter Garden Elks Lodge #2165 attended church at Starke Lake Baptist Church in Ocoee, Florida, they noticed the church’s deteriorating flagpole that needed to be replaced and have a light kit added. Wally Hatch, PER; Ronnie Bradshaw, Byrd Severance, PER, District Vice President; Mark Wallick, PER; Scott Moore and Rusty Johnson used their own money to purchase the flagpole and light kit for approximately $800. In the early morning on July 29, they installed it without the church pastor knowing. Carolyn Robbins, Exalted Ruler, said the pastor “was amazed, he talked about the flag pole every Sunday after they installed it. How proud he was to have members that cared so deeply about their Country and the Church. He is always talking about the Elks, he visits us on our steak night in Winter Garden 2165. The pastor tells the church members what a great group and how we are always ready to help. He talks about our great partnership with the community and how we have reached out to members in his church when in need. He has told me himself the Elks have great members and what great teamwork we have.”
Pictured in front of the church is the new flagpole lit up by the light kit.