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Northwest District
Children's Weekend Food Program Receives Boost from Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge
- Details
- Written by Harriet Gossett
Pensacola Beach Lodge made a $2,000 donation to the Gulf Breeze Weekend Food Program Dec. 13. This program provides food for children in need in Santa Rosa County, Florida. The packages go home with the kids on Fridays so they have food for the weekend. Accepting the donation is Mike Stahl, program director, from Dan Smith, Exalted Ruler.
Elementary School Receives Donation from Pensacola Beach Lodge
- Details
- Written by Harriet Gossett
On Dec. 16, Pensacola Beach Lodge donated $2,000 to Pensacola Beach Elementary School. Accepting the donation is Susan McLeod, principal, from Dan Smith, Exalted Ruler.
Harvest Home Receives Grant from Destin Lodge
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Dec. 16, Destin Lodge awarded the $1,750 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Harvest House, which provided Christmas dinner to 80 local families. Their mission is to supply food, clothing and shelter to those at a point of need in their life. Harvest House has a food pantry and a thrift store. Their services are provided to the community members of Destin and Miramar Beach, Florida. Pictured are Terri Griffin, lodge grant coordinator; Lori Joyner, Harvest House director; and Robert Griffin, lodge treasurer.
Okaloosa County 4-H Chick Chain and Poultry Show Receives Crestview Lodge Sponsorship
- Details
- Written by Crestview Elks
Crestview Elks Lodge #2624 sponsored the 2021 Okaloosa County 4-H Chick Chain and Poultry Show Oct. 21. There were 381 children involved in the program leading up to this show, which was nearly a yearlong program. After 20 weeks of care and training, the poultry show was held. Elk member and Okaloosa County 4-H/Director with the University of Florida IFAS, Ronnie Cowan, was so pleased with the success of this year’s program. Crestview Lodge donated more than $300 toward it as well as in-kind donations valued at more than $10,000 for volunteer hours, cost of eggs, delivery and travel. The Chick Chain was open to all Okaloosa County youths ages 5 to 18. The program targeted the agriculture chain, life science, responsibility and life skills. The 4-H Chick Chain program provided students with hands-on experience that covered the life cycle of the chicken from incubation to hatching including care for the chickens for 20 weeks. This program teaches leadership, responsibility and civic understanding. Annabelle and her sister, Ella, showed their chickens at the poultry show, where Annabelle sold her chickens. When Ella did not sell her prize-winning birds, she was notified that she couldn’t keep them because of a city ordinance not allowing them in city limits, so Annabelle jumped into action. She wrote a letter to her city council member explaining her experiences in the 4-H Chick Chain and how much she learned. She also addressed the city council members in person about the city ordinance. Because of her efforts and involvement in 4-H, the city of Crestview now allows backyard poultry. The partnership of the Elks and 4-H not only teaches 4-H lessons but also helps young people learn civic-minded leadership.
Pictured are Annabelle Brush and Ella Brush showing their Chick Chain chickens.
New High School Receives Funds from Destin Lodge to Provide Two Lifesaving Automated External Defibrillators
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
Destin Lodge donated $1,500 Nov. 3 to the brand-new Destin High School which opened its doors in August 2021. The donation will cover the costs of two automated external defibrillators (AEDs). These AEDs are portable, lifesaving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly. Pictured are Christine Cruickshank, principal; Robert Griffin, treasurer; Terri Griffin, Elks National Foundation lodge grant coordinator; and Gloria Meade, chaplain.
Destin Lodge Awards Spotlight Grant to Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida to Help Locals in Need
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Oct. 28, Destin Lodge awarded the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida. Their mission is to work and assist the poor and vulnerable. Many community neighbors are facing eviction or unable to pay their utility bills due to a job loss or reduced hours. Many are going to bed hungry because they don’t have enough food to feed their families. By caring about the individual needs of those they serve, they are transforming lives and providing hope for the future. Pictured are Arielle May, volunteer; Eva Wise, executive director of Catholic Social Services; Robert Griffin, treasurer; Terri Griffin, Elks National Foundation lodge grant coordinator; Gloria Meade, chaplain; and Nick Hutchinson, volunteer.
Destin Lodge Shares Grant with Sharing & Caring Inc.
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Oct. 28, Destin Elks Lodge #2688 awarded $1,750 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Sharing & Caring Inc. of Okaloosa County. The mission of Sharing & Caring is to serve the community as an emergency food bank, providing a basic staple of foods for individuals and families in need who qualify. It is available to anyone who resides within the area of Hurlburt Field on the west, to Destin on the east and to Eglin Air Force Base on the north. Their clients include families, children, seniors, those without homes and those who are unemployed. The majority of clients are often referred to them by churches, social agencies or word of mouth.
Pictured at the check presentation are Robert Griffin, treasurer; Terri Griffin, Elks National Foundation lodge grant coordinator; Michele Seitz of Sharing & Caring; and Gloria Meade, chaplain.
Pensacola Beach Lodge Donates Spotlight Grant to Children's Weekend Food Program
- Details
- Written by Harriet Gossett
Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to the Gulf Breeze Weekend Food Program to benefit children in local schools. The program provides weekend food for children in need at Gulf Breeze elementary, middle and high schools. Also included are Oriole Beach Elementary and Woodlawn Beach Middle schools in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Presenting the donation Oct. 4 is Dan Smith, Exalted Ruler, to Mike Stahl, program director.
Fort Walton Elks Assist Fort Walton Beach Woman's Club in Supporting Students in Need
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Sept. 20, Fort Walton Lodge presented the S3 Project of the Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club the $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. The Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club was founded in 1921 and offers community service programs. This grant is specifically for the S3 project with the objective to improve student performance, attendance, personal pride/self-worth and school participation. The grant will be used to purchase the necessary school supplies and personal items as needed for any student in need, including any student experiencing homelessness. Whenever a school identifies a student in need for food, personal health supplies, school supplies, or funding to participate in a school function such as band, it will be funded. As part of its community, the lodge’s goal is to be part of the solution to assist students in achieving academic success and personal growth. Pictured at the check presentation are Taz WrightReynolds, PER, Exalted Ruler; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; Kevin Clemons, PDD, District Leader; Cissy Wyninegar, lodge member; Dr. Vivian Green, Woman’s Club member; Kathy Pacheco, lodge trustee; Tom Knowles, PER; and Paul Eubanks, PER.
Fort Walton Lodge Provides a Fresh Start for Housing Unit at Fresh Start for Children and Families
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Sept. 20, Fort Walton Lodge presented its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Fresh Start for Children and Families. Fresh Start’s primary focus is helping families achieve long-term self-sufficiency through a nine-month residential and educational program. This grant will help refurbish some existing transitional housing units. A prior tenant with many children was evicted for not keeping their end of the housing agreement. Upon leaving, the tenant destroyed appliances and parts of the building. This grant will help provide replacements for this housing unit and much needed support for the mission of Fresh Start for Children and Families. Pictured at the check presentation are Taz WrightReynolds, PER, Exalted Ruler; Wilma Clayton, life skills manager; Sharron Stephens, property manager; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; Paul Eubanks, PER; and Donna Tashik, executive director.
Numerous Charitable Organizations Benefit from Pensacola Beach Elks Golf Tournament
- Details
- Written by Harriet Gossett
Pensacola Beach Lodge held a golf tournament Sept. 10 at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Navarre, Florida. A total of 140 golfers participated, including members, nonmembers, friends of members and sponsors, and raised more than $29,000 for the lodge’s charity account. Charities that will benefit from the tournament include Boy Scouts of America, Santa Rosa Kid’s House, Gulf Coast Kid’s House, The Miracle League, Favor House, Bill Bond Baseball, AHERO, Weekend Food Program, Children in Crisis, Salvation Army, Bethany Christian Services, Children’s Home Society, ARC Gateway, USO of Northwest Florida, Council on Aging, Pensacola Beach Elementary School, Army of Hope, Family Fishing Rodeo and Kids Fishing Rodeo. More than 40 volunteers assisted to make the tournament a success. Special events included a hospitality tent, raffle, silent auction, hole-in-one prizes, putting contest and several specialty holes. Awards were given for the top three teams, longest drive and closest to the pin. “I would like to personally thank everyone who came out on this beautiful day to help us raise money for our designated charities. We could not have had such a huge success without the community’s involvement, the golfers and all our volunteers,” remarked Darrell Gossett, tournament chair.
The group picture was taken before the tournament. Also pictured are Gossett as well as member Gary Booker with Dan Smith, Exalted Ruler.
Pensacola Beach Lodge Shares Monetary Gift with Santa Rosa Kid's House
- Details
- Written by Harriet Gossett
On Sept. 1, Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 donated $2,000 from its charity account to the Santa Rosa Kid's House, which assists survivors of child abuse in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Pictured are Cap Pratt, PDD, lodge trustee, and Kelli Sanders, Santa Rosa Kid's House program director.