On Feb. 20, Orlando Elks Lodge #1079 presented the Lighthouse of Central Florida with $3,500 from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. This donation will go directly toward helping provide financial assistance and specific rehabilitation to residents in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties who live with blindness or vision loss. Lighthouse of Central Florida is a private nonprofit organization and is one of the few, if only, only nationally accredited comprehensive providers of vision rehabilitation service that can begin with infants and continue through adulthood. Some of the programs they offer are early intervention and developmental support for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers; experience and skill building for K through eighth grade classrooms; teen programs for workforce and college prep; independent living skills for adults and seniors; and assistive technology and Braille training. The lodge also helps in their fundraising efforts. On March 27, Orlando Elks received a plaque of appreciation for their participation in their fundraising marathon.

Pictured at the check presentation are Beatrice Lopez Masso and Georgiana Tymes of the Lighthouse of Central Florida; Aubie Dingwell, trustee; and Ralph Bemos, acting Exalted Ruler.

Pictured at the plaque presentation are Millie Dewitz, Doe; Lillian Velez, Orlando Does president; Rob Dewitz, Chaplain; and Georgina Tymes of Lighthouse.