North Central District

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

On Feb. 11, the Anna Miller Circle of Eustis Elks Lodge #1578 held its annual cake auction to raise funds for the Harry-Anna Trust Fund to benefit Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services and the Florida Elks Youth Camp. More than 45 cakes, pies and other beautiful desserts were displayed for auction. Ron Locke, PDD, Exalted Ruler, was the auctioneer while Beverly Dufresne, Anna Miller board member, displayed the cakes and collected the donations. With the money raised from the auction and the willingness of Locke and Colleen Gallant, PDD, Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services Director, to take a whipped cream pie to the face for donations, a total of $3,025 was raised. 

Pictured are the dessert table and attendees.

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Written by Karyl Loux

Using its $3,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and $122 from the lodge charity account, Eustis Elks Lodge #1578 provided Rifton Compass Chairs and accessories to students with special needs at Lake Hills School in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. This school serves a 100% disabled population in Lake County, Florida. The chairs increase the posture and safety of both the students and the staff who assist them to and from their mobility chairs. Pictured Feb. 14 are Dee Borwegen, lodge trustee; Robin Myers, principal; and Bo Borwegen, PER, lodge trustee.

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Written by Eustis Elks

On Dec. 10 Eustis Lodge held its annual children’s Christmas party for Elks children and grandchildren as well as for Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services patients and underprivileged local children. There were nearly 100 children in attendance. Santa and Mrs. Claus (members Glen and Daisy Waterman) and their elf (member Darla Orr) were there and Santa gave gifts to all the children. There were games and crafts, too. The Drug Awareness Committee gave out Elks Drug Awareness coloring books, lodge Drug Awareness pencils and crayons, all in Elks Drug Awareness bags. Lunch was provided to everyone. The party was funded by the lodge charity account.

Pictured are three children visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

Eustis Lodge Anna Miller Circle members packed 25 Thanksgiving gift bags Nov. 17 for Triangle Elementary students and their families. Bags included everything necessary for a full Thanksgiving dinner except the turkey. The group provided $25 gift cards so families could select the meat of their choice. Triangle Elementary selects the families who receive the meals. Items for the bags were contributed by Anna Miller Circle members and lodge members throughout November. Donations were valued at over $2,000.

Pictured Nov. 18 at the school delivery are Officer Jean; Chris Getchell, Anna Miller Circle President; students Liam, Steve and Colton; and Tiffany Dickson, school mental health liaison.

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Written by Suzanne Cunningham

On Nov. 14, three Eustis Lodge Anna Miller Circle members and one lodge member met at the lodge to pack welcome kits for residents of The Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties, a shelter for rape and domestic assault survivors and their children. The welcome kits are one-quart bags containing soap, shampoo, a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, mouthwash and other travel-size items for adults. The children's welcome kits contain the same items as well as a small toy, lip balm and hand sanitizer. They packed 100 adult kits and 100 children’s kits. Also included were puzzles, toys, handmade blankets, birthday kits and 59 full-size toiletries. At the Haven's request, they also provided 14 sweatpants, 17 T-shirts, 12 pairs of flip-flops, nine sports bras, 20 pairs of underwear, one sweatshirt, six pairs of socks, 75 small soaps, 75 lotions, three cases of water, three cases of Gatorade and three boxes of crackers. All of the above items were given to the three nurses who care for rape survivors who must give up the clothes they are wearing during the exam. This donation was valued at $449.58. The total value of everything was $2,784.58.

Pictured are Ralph Cerney, lodge member; Mary Ann Cerney, chair of The Haven project; and Judy Eaton. Not pictured is Suzanne Cunningham.