On Oct. 23, Elks member Johnathan Pulver and his son, Conner, as well as some family members attended the Gold Coast Down Syndrome's 29th annual Awareness Walk for Down's Syndrome, representing West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352. Several members spoke with the participants, supporters, family and friends about the Elks' community outreach and charities. Donna Revera, Florida's Elks Children's Therapy Services physical therapist, also attended. To date, the walk raised $196,959 toward their $200,000 goal. These monies support the educational, vocational, recreational and informative programs for Palm Beach's residents with Down’s syndrome.
Jupiter Lodge raised funds to donate a full Thanksgiving dinner to 103 local families in need. Local churches and schools informed the Elks who was in need. House Committee member Claudia Chatham helped assemble the dinners that were delivered Nov. 16-19.
Jupiter Lodge sponsored an angel tree, where members either shopped for specific items for a child or donated money for gifts to be purchased. More than 130 local children received these gifts between Dec. 15 and Dec. 17.
Shoppers pictured are members Joie Gallo, Shawn Samperi, Margaret Schoebel, Pam Roman and Alan Roman.
Jupiter Elks Lodge members collected hundreds of dollars worth of school supplies for the annual back-to-school supply drive. On Aug. 7, members delivered the supplies to three local schools — Jupiter Elementary, Limestone Creek Elementary and Jupiter Farms Elementary. Included were backpacks that read "Let's Shine," promoting State President Joe Cooper's motto, "Florida Elks Shine Bright."
Pictured with supplies is a teacher at Jupiter Elementary.
Using its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant, West Palm Beach Elks Lodge #1352 purchased eight Chromebook laptop computers for The Palm Beach School for Autism, which they delivered Aug. 9.
Pictured are Dennis Marrero, school IT; Carol Blair, Lodge Secretary; Abby Shorr, school marketing director; Juliet Bliss, principal; and Wendy Lombard, grant coordinator. Also pictured are 11th and 12th grade students in Miss Sarah’s class using them.