The Siuslaw news., December 20, 2017, WEDNESDAY EDITION, Page 10A, Image 10

10 A
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017
Elk’s collect, distribute gifts for veterans
Florence Elks Lodge #1858
continued its tradition of giv-
ing and supporting Florence
Veterans with the delivery of
Christmas gifts to senior resi-
dences in the community.
Funded by a Freedom Grant
from the Elks National
Foundation, Lodge members
Bruce Smith and Ron Tate
met with Spruce Point,
Hubbard Retreat, Northwest
COURTESY PHOTO
Reflections,
Elderberry
Square, Shorewood, and Gifts for local veterans were recently collected and dis-
Regency to identify the num- tributed by Elk’s Lodge members with the support of Bi-
ber of veterans in residence Mart and a grant from the Elk’s National Foundation.
and what needs the Elks
could help meet during the Chair of the project and team returned to each of the
Leading Knight of the Lodge. facilities and delivered the
Holiday Season.
With over 55 veterans “Bi-Mart made it possible for gifts giving the recipients an
identified, the number one us to stretch our grant dollars early Christmas surprise!
The Freedom Grant Project
item on their wish lists was and put together great gift
packages
for
a
lot
of
very
was
one of four Elks National
warm sweats to keep them
deserving
veterans.
It’s
great
Foundation
Grants received
comfortable
during
the
to
see
how
the
Florence
com-
by
the
Florence
Lodge over
upcoming winter.
munity
comes
together
to
the
last
twelve
months.
Working with Bi-Mart, the
Grant funds have totaled
Freedom Grant Committee help those less fortunate,
especially
our
veterans.”
approximately
$10,000 and
put together gift packages
In
addition
to
the
providing
have
funded
the Living
that included a pair of sweat
the
majority
of
recipients
Voices
Project
in
the Siuslaw
pants and two shirts for the
with
the
requested
sweats,
Middle
and
Elementary
recipients.
Committee members along there were a few very specif- Schools, supporting Habitat
with Bruce and Ron included ic requests that the Lodge for Humanity families as they
Joyce Middleton, Karen was also able to meet — move into their new homes,
Smales
and
Donna cardigan sweaters for one honoring Central Coast
Cherryholmes. The team esti- veteran and a special ball cap Veterans at a luncheon and
concert, and then ending the
mates nearly 60 volunteer for another.
After
all
the
shopping
and
year with the Christmas pack-
hours went into the effort.
assembling
of
the
packages,
ages for veterans.
“The support from Bi-Mart
the
Freedom
Grant
Project
really helped,” said Bruce,
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year from
CROW looking for masquerade mask artists
The Children’s Repertory of
Oregon Workshops (CROW)
will host a fundraiser on
Saturday, Feb. 17, and is seek-
ing help from the Florence arts
community to decorate one-of-
a-kind masquerade masks.
This do-not-miss event is
entitled “Black and White
Ball,” and will include live
music from the “Pop Rocks” of
Eugene, a silent auction, wine
pull and much more.
The masquerade mask base
will be provided, and artists
may use any materials to cre-
ate their design, with one
caveat: They may only use
Black and White with
silver/gold accents.
Artists will donate time,
materials and masks that will
then be sold at the event. All
masks are due Jan. 30.
CROW hopes to raise funds
to provide scholarships and
educational materials for
2018’s youth summer theatre
camps, as well as production
and technical theatre supplies
for its upcoming show,
“Disney’s Tarzan,” to be held
at the Florence Events Center
April 13 to 15.
“Thank you to our wonder-
ful local artists for supporting
CROW kids,” CROW Artistic
Director Melanie Heard said.
“The arts really do matter.”
For a mask base, email
Heard at crowtheatrekids@
yahoo.com.
Visit the Siuslaw News
online at
Specializing in Women’s Cut and Color
1569 9th Street
Florence
541-902-7712
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