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Written by Manasota Elks

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Manasota Lodge hosted its annual children’s Breakfast with Santa Dec. 17, funded by the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and lodge contributions. The event helped 38 children and 17 families from Abel Elementary School and Bayshore Elementary School, both Title 1 schools. Upon arrival, children and guardians were served breakfast. Soon after, everyone went outside and anxiously waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive by fire truck with a siren blaring. Once inside, Santa and Mrs. Claus called each child’s name and gave them wrapped gifts with an outfit of clothing and a toy. Each family was given a food box that contained a toiletry bag for each child and a $10 McDonald’s gift card, a $25 gift certificate to Publix or Winn-Dixie, and nonperishable food items. Jan “Spike” Klocke headed up this party, Shawn Wheaton shopped for all the children’s outfits, Art Waldron and his crew cooked breakfast, and numerous volunteers helped in other ways. Leftover toys were donated to Bayshore Elementary School’s Winter Wonderland children’s event with Santa.

Pictured are guests waiting for Santa; children receiving gifts from Santa and Mrs. Claus; and Santa and Mrs. Claus (members Jack Shutts and Mickie Beck) with Cedar Hammock Fire Station firefighters.

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Written by Linda Killian

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On Dec. 8, the Deep Creek Ladies of Elks presented three $2,500 scholarships to students from Charlotte Technical College. This marks a total of nine scholarships that have been donated to students from CTC.

Pictured are Katarzyna Bundz, who is studying to be an LPN, and Martin Augustus Nelson, who is studying enterprise desktop and mobile support technology. Not present was Cheyenne Ellsworth, who is also studying to be an LPN. The Ladies of Elks sponsor a game every Monday called show me the money, and the proceeds from this game are solely for scholarships.

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Written by Lauren Dowd-Shedlock

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Participation in Jupiter Lodge’s Angel Tree resulted in a new outfit and a gift for 125 local children. All deliveries were made Dec. 16 and Dec. 19. 

At Jerry Thomas Elementary School, recipients William Carter, Wynter Carter, Edison Argueta-Matias, Daniel Aristhene, David Aristhene, Keydi Marcos-Sebastian, Rosy Montejo and Nancy Pedro Marcos are pictured with Sharyn Ayres, guidance counselor, and Megan LaVogue, ESOL coordinator. Pictured at Jupiter Elementary are Officer Larson; Steve Brancazio, PER; Tamara Cruz, school staff member; Elks Paul Diener, Bobby Paul, Iris Paul, Bill Jackson, and Laura Rusak; and Lilian Mabjish and Enid Marcano, school staff members.

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Written by David McCranie, PER

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On Dec. 4, DeLand Elks Lodge #1463 hosted the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Volusia County Christmas Party at the lodge with a donation of $500. More than 90 children, parents and guests attended. Children were given snacks, gifts and a visit with Santa.

Pictured is one of the children talking with Santa.

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Written by Becky Wills

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Viera Elks Lodge #2817 has a very active Antlers group. This youth group helps with functions at both Viera and Cocoa lodges as well as with community projects. On Dec. 17, under the leadership of lodge member Heidi Vargas, they along with Viera Lodge members and spouses participated in the annual Wreaths Across America day, where they placed wreaths on and cleaned up around all of the veterans’ graves at Pinecrest Cemetery in Cocoa, Florida. The cemetery is most well-known as the resting place of Emory L. Bennett, a Korean War hero and Medal of Honor recipient. The national Wreaths Across America day is a day to remember U.S. veterans by placing wreaths on their graves and saying the names of the fallen, so as to not forget their sacrifices. Wreaths Across America has been an annual event since 1992, taking place at over 1,200 locations across America. Throughout the year, Wreaths Across America teaches children the value of freedom with their events.

Pictured are Antlers Evan Enrique, Aidan Carroll, Janey Vargas, Lillie Box, Max Mendoza, Bella Wessel, Donald Ahlin Jr., Erin Enrique and Jake Vargas.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

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On Nov. 19, Fort Walton Lodge donated 26 new pillows with a value of more than $200 to A Bed 4 Me Foundation for their pillow drive. A Bed 4 Me Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to ensure that children have a place of their own to sleep each night. They provide brand new beds (frames and mattresses), sheets, spreads, comforters, and pillows for children of families who do not have one. The foundation serves children ages 2 to 18 from low- to middle-income families in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Foundation teams have found children sleeping on floors, sofas, recliners, floor pallets, or crammed into beds with siblings or parents. As Elks we believe in their motto that “you can touch the life of a child in one moment that will carry on for years to come by providing a place for them to sleep, dream and feel cherished.” The foundation leadership team of Diane Freeman, executive director, and Claire Jones, program director, works very hard to garner the support needed to serve the community and provide beds to children in need.

Pictured are Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, Exalted Ruler; Marcia WrightReynolds, Lecturing Knight; Claire Jones, program director; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; and Kevin Clemons Sr., PDD, District Leader.

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Written by Dick Bardsley, PDD

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On Dec. 11, Winter Park Elks Lodge #1830 spent $1,400 from its charity account and the Florida State Elks Association matching funds from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to purchase food for Christmas dinner for 30 local families in need. The food was packaged by lodge members, including (back row) Mike Citro; Michelle Yurcich; Ed Eldridge, Bingo chair; Dick Bardsley; Charlie Thomas and BJ Pinette. In the front row are Vivian Thomas, facility manager; Allison Pinette and Danica Pinette. Also purchased were 30 $30 gift cards for perishable foods. Members packed the items in large Christmas bags and delivered them to the families, who were identified by school representatives. The families were appreciative of these gifts.

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Written by Rita Smith

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On Nov. 9, Tampa Lodge donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant for Hurricane Ian relief. The donation went to a special fund set up by their partners at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, which will be used to purchase tarps, furring strips and roofing nails to be utilized by a work crew of Methodists helping Hurricane Ian victims. Tarps are not available in the affected areas but the tarp fund is being used to purchase tarps through an agreement with a nationwide distributor and the tarps are being shipped to a church in the affected location. 

Pictured are Camden Lynn, Leading Knight; Vicki Walker, Hyde Park United Methodist Church Outreach Minister; and Rita Smith, Exalted Ruler.