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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On Dec. 2, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 continued its partnership with the City of Green Cove Springs by providing gift bags to the children who visit Santa's Workshop during the Christmas on Walnut Street festivities. The bags were packed Nov. 18 by 27 members and volunteers, and 21 members and volunteers gave out 371 gift bags to children of all ages. The items were purchased using Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant matching funds from the Harry-Anna Trust Fund. Growing Healthy Smiles pediatric dentistry also gave out more than 500 toothbrushes.

Pictured are members and guests packing gift bags; the Orvosh family receiving a gift bag; Santa and a guest with elf Joy Elrod, Loyal Knight; and members and volunteers preparing to give out gift bags. Also pictured are Cathy Sanders, chaplain; Kristine Watson, trustee; Lynn Elrod, Exalted Ruler; and trustees Greg Hughson, PDD and Laquetta Willimon greeting the Pierce family.

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Written by Jackie Jacobs

For about eight years, Tampa Lodge has used the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to provide a holiday meal for those who are homeless at Open Arms Ministry, a division of Hyde Park United Methodist Church. Originally, they fed 200 to 300 people the Sunday before Thanksgiving, but that population dwindled greatly during COVID, as some were moved across the county into shelters and others did not survive. This year, they fed approximately 100 people. All the food was prepared at the lodge. The shopping started more than a week in advance, and the cooking started Thursday, when the 55 pounds of boneless breasts were cooked. On Saturday, Douglas Grant, Steve Kraft, Jeremy Elkins, Ruth Levin and Norm Jones prepped the side dishes. On Sunday, Doug Grant and Jackie Jacobs made the gravy and ran everything through the oven. At 10:30 a.m. the cars were loaded and headed to the church. They were greeted by lodge members Kim Van Walker and Michael Volpe. Susan Brandise and a dozen girls from her rowing team from the Academy of the Holy Names helped them again this year. Elks Patty Volpe, Richelle Nickle, young Jacob, Sue Dawson, Joe Dawson, Rita Smith and Amy Morantes rounded out the Elks crew. Guests were treated to roasted turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, candied yams, corn, cranberry sauce, roll with butter, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. It was much more food than they are to used to getting at one meal, and the line for seconds was very short. Fruit was also offered to the guests. It is purchased weekly by a parishioner who is a pediatrician.

Pictured are lodge and rowing team members serving, Jeremy Elkins and Douglas Grant  prepping dinner, and Ruth Levin and Norm Jones dishing out cranberry sauce.

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Written by Virginia Warfield

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 8, St. Petersburg Lodge raised funds during Share the Wealth fundraisers to purchase Mossy Oak hoodies with patriotic themes for veterans, valued at $600. On Dec. 13, they were donated to veterans at C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center at Bay Pines.

Pictured are VAVS Elks representative, Johnny Miller, and Heidi Green, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by Virginia Warfield

Members of St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 raised funds during Share the Wealth fundraisers between Oct. 6 and Dec. 1 to purchase items for the 2023 WTSP Channel 10 "10 for the Troops" campaign, which benefits active-duty deployed military members. Supplies valued at $600 included socks, crackers, cookies, nut mix, hard candy, gum, meat snack sticks, lip balm and hand lotion.

Heidi Green, Exalted Ruler, is pictured with supplies.

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Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio

On Nov. 18, 12 Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 members participated in the Old Cars/Old Trains event at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish by grilling and serving food. They were the only food vendor for the approximately 200 attendees, other than an ice cream truck. Despite the short notice, members sold breakfast egg sandwiches (with or without Canadian ham), muffins, coffee and tea. At 11 a.m., they began grilling and serving hamburgers and hot dogs with various produce, condiments, chips, soda and water, as well as mini veggie trays and cookies. Perhaps not knowing that Parrish is a new lodge, guests wondered where they had been at previous events and hoped they are at future events. Members LeeAnn Mitchell, Chris O'Hare, Sandee D'Abbraccio, Ken Knight and Anthony D'Abbraccio helped plan for the event. Steve Carruthers, PDD, Lodge Advisor, had purchased and donated a new griddle for their lodge, which was put to good use. The profits of $847.84 from the food sales will be split among the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, Elks National Foundation, Hoop Shoot, Veterans Services and the lodge building fund, as they are still searching for a lodge building.

Pictured are members serving attendees at the event from their booth.

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Written by Pauline Talbott

On Nov. 4, members of Sebastian Lodge #2714 painted two apartments at the Veterans Transitional Facility in Melbourne, Florida. The VTF has 10 apartments providing temporary housing for veterans and their immediate families, while assisting them in securing permanent housing. Paint was donated by Richard's Paint Mfg Co. in Rockledge, Florida. The lodge currently supplies fresh start kits to the residents upon arrival to the facility. The lodge members plan to return at a later date to paint the remaining eight apartments. Other improvement projects to the facility are also being explored.

Pictured in the front row are Lida Heydinger, PER; Herman Heydinger, PDD; Pauline Talbott, lodge and ladies member and FLOE President; and Mirissa Napolitano, VTF Director. In the back row are a VTF resident; Louie Reyes, Loyal Knight; Lorraine Signorelli; Mary Ducharme, Ladies Treasurer; Dan Talbott, Exalted Ruler; Michael Schodlbauer, PDD, Lodge Veterans Chair; and Chuck Marchetti, PER.