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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Oct. 6, Elks lodges in the Northwest District became the collection and pickup areas for donations for the victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton. Pensacola Beach lodge member Jennifer McGregor was contacted by Todd Terrell, founder and president of the United Cajun Navy, for assistance in collecting much-needed donations. She passed this information to District Deputy Don Padget, who immediately reached out to the entire district for assistance. The request was for donations, including nonperishable food items, diapers, hygiene products, water, gas cans, etc. Almost one ton of donations were collected and staged at Warrington Lodge #2108, Pensacola Beach Lodge #497, Holley-Navarre Lodge #2787 and Fort Walton Lodge #1795. The donations were picked up by an 18-wheeler semitrailer truck from the United Cajun Navy to be transported to Perry, Florida, and the areas hit by these hurricanes.

The pictures show the lodges’ efforts.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

Green Cove Springs Lodge is providing books to local children in their Elks Read Initiative, funded through the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant.

On Aug. 3, the lodge partnered with the Green Cove Springs Police Department for Summer Story Time in the Park. Officer Lombardi, Officer Powers and Sergeant Rulon took turns reading to 22 children and their families. Also pictured are Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler, and Ed Weston, PER, District Vice President.

Then on Aug. 26, Elk volunteer Susan Phillips and Jennifer Parker visited the Episcopal Children’s Services Green Cove Springs Head Start Center for a semimonthly Story Hour with their students.

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Written by Gloria Hamze

On Aug. 17, Oakland Park Elks Lodge #2407 used its $3,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant for the eighth annual youth Elks Fishing Rodeo, held at Pompano Pier and led by member Scott Slinko; Cub Scout Pack 512 helped with the event. Children from 4KIDS, which serves children and families in crisis and provides foster care, trauma-informed therapy and more, were special guests. Grant money was used to purchase more than 42 fishing rods, tackle boxes, tents, coolers and tables. More than 50 kids participated in the event and got to keep the equipment they used as well.

Pictured are some of the participants.

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Written by gr

Green Cove Springs Lodge presented 25 tote bags full of toiletries, household supplies and snacks to the Green Cove Springs Senior Center Aug. 13. Each of the bags, funded by the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, also contained a $25 grocery store gift card. The lodge's bingo association also presented them with a $1,000 check.

Pictured are P.C. Barrette, member; Jennifer Parker, Exalted Ruler; Jacqueline Bennett, senior center supervisor; Dianne Schaub, senior center volunteer; Ed Weston, PER Chair; and Anna Eden, member.

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Written by South Miami/Coral Gables Elks

South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676, along with Miami Lodge #948 and Florida Keys Lodge #1872, collaborated to collect more than $60,000 in furniture, dishes and small appliances to for veterans living at Modern Towers, an apartment complex that provides permanent housing for veterans and first responders who were previously homeless. Under the direction of Captain Fred Jaca, PDD, South District Veterans Chair, South Miami/Coral Gables Lodge’s Manny Perez, Exalted Ruler; Reggie Hernandez, PER; and Rick Del Vecchio, Secretary, teamed with Miami Lodge’s Sharon Weiss and Ozzie Perez and Florida Keys Lodge’s Frank Veltri, Exalted Ruler, to collect and deliver several truckloads of furnishings to the Towers. Florida Keys Lodge donated dishes Aug. 2. On Sept. 10 and Sept. 11, Jaca made several trips to pick up donated furniture and delivered it to Modern Towers. This will be an ongoing team project among these three lodges, as the complex will eventually house hundreds of veterans.

Pictured is some of the donated furniture.

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Written by Linda Califf

Gainesville Elks Lodge #990 is actively involved with the veterans’ Welcome Home Kit program, offered by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission. Past Secretary Linda Califf, Lodge Veterans Chair, completed a shopping trip for three veterans’ kits, which include cleaning supplies, towels, washcloths and a blanket. The lodge then completes the veterans’ wish list, which covers all items they desire to completely set up their homes for independent living. Such items include pots and pans, dishes, glassware, utensils, microwaves, coffee pots, crock pots, toaster ovens, vacuums, sheets and comforters, can openers, toasters, and many other items they choose with the assistance of their social workers at the HUD-VASH Honor Center.

Linda Califf is shown with items purchased on the lodge’s 26th Welcome Home Kit shopping trip, which brings the total number of veterans served to 103. The items were delivered August 19.