FLORENCE ELKS LODGE #1858
1686 12th Street
Florence, Oregon
CHARITY
JUSTICE
BROTHERLY LOVE
FIDELITY
2025-2026 EXALTED RULER CATHY JORGENSON
2025-2026 OFFICERS
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INSTALLATION
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SAVE THE DATE & GET YOUR OUTFIT READY!
THIS IS GOING TO BE A RIP ROARING EVENT!
AS THE 2024-2025 ELKS YEAR CLOSES, THE FLORENCE ELKS LODGE #1858 MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR AWESOME OFFICERS.
YOU HAVE SERVED OUR LODGE AND HELPED MAKE US ONE OF THE BEST LODGES IN OREGON!
The Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks annually offers an Americanism Essay Contest. The theme for this year was,
“What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?”
The essay contest is open to students in the 5th through 8th grades. Florence Elks Lodge #1858 sponsors the local competition and invites student participation from the Florence, Reedsport and Mapleton area. The winning authors and their proud family members attended dinner and the awards presentation at the Florence Elks Lodge on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
For the 7th grade division, we are honoring students attending Reedsport Community Charter School under teacher Kaylie Laskey:
1st place - Kendall Dillahay
2nd place - Angela Austin
3rd place - Harper Spurgeon
For the 8th grade division, we are honoring these students:
1st place - Pearl Jensen. She is a student of
Academy by the Sea.
2nd place - Chloe Bilbrey. She is a student of Kelly Dotson at Siuslaw Middle School.
3rd place - Aubrey Carrington. She was not able to attend. She is a student of Kaylie Laskey at Reedsport
Community Charter School.
These winning essays will be judged at the Oregon State Elks Association State essay competition in April with the hopes of being selected to move forward to the national contest in July.
A great big thank you goes out to our Essay Judging panel: June Irvin, Lynn Hughes, Jolyne Alaniz and PER Barb Tyler. Our Lodge is very grateful to all our members who are vigilant in assuring that our flags are properly displayed, lit, retired and kept in flying condition. Thank you to our Lodge members who proudly wear flag lapel pins and for your continuing support of this annual essay contest.
Fraternally, Spunky Gray, Americanism Chair.
The Florence Elks #1858 used part of their Beacon Grant to donate $3000 to the Florence Food Share Program. The Food Share provides nutritional food to be distributed to the homebound elderly, disabled and low income families in need. The Lodge partners with Mapleton Food Share to cover more areas of need. Many Elk members volunteer at the Florence Food Share to help distribute and help stocking and restocking of food that is delivered to the Food Pantry.
Tom Hornback (Treasurer, Chairman of Board), Colin Morgan, Executive Director of Food Share Pantry, George Bandy (Exalted Ruler, PER)
The Florence Elks #1858 donated part of their Beacon Grant of $3000 to Backpack for Kids, to help provide weekend food supplies to over 131
at-risk, insecure students during the school year. This enables those
students, chosen by the schools in Florence to have nutritional meals on weekends which expands their attention span to concentrate on their studies during the week. When families have to choose between eating and paying their bills, the social matrix plummets, so Backpack for Kids steps in to help.
Elk volunteers help to pack up the meals for the kids, so they have them for the weekend.
(L to R) Bob Keeling (Ops Coordinator), Cindy Sandcamp (Purchasing Agent), George Bandy (Elks Exalted Ruler/PER), Pastor Dale (Cross Roads Church), Tom Hornback (Elks Treasurer/ Board of Directors), Darren Williams (FB4K), Diane Williams (Co-Director),
Debbie Anderson ( Purchasing Agent)
PANCAKE BREAKFAST BENEFITING THE PREGNANCY & PARENTING CENTER February 15, 2025 was a HUGE success. We beat the record of attendees! Our contributions to the Elks National Foundation make this kind of event possible through grants we receive. Thanks to all who came to eat & those who volunteered!
(L-R) Tom Hornback -Treasurer, PER,
Susan Kirby - Director of Pregnancy & Parenting Center, Exalted Ruler George Bandy, PER.
Florence Elks #1858 donates to the Florence Pregnancy and Parenting Center $2500 from their Gratitude Grant. The Grant was used to purchase two loveseat couches for their private client meeting rooms and material supplies for the Center. The Pregnancy and Parenting Center provides in-person prenatal and parenting
classes. They assist people with educational classes, material supplies and relational support. They are a 501c3 non profit organization funded by fundraisers and grants, such as the Gratitude Grant.
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Christian Charmley, Winter Jewel Harrison, Hunter Wohl, Aurelia Harrison
Back Row - Cindy Gentry - Commanding Officer, Thomas Gentry, ER George Bandy
U.S NAVAL SEA CADETS, SHARK DIVISION assisted the Florence Elks Lodge #1858 at Stand Down/Resource Fair, supporting veterans and community members in need. The Cadets participated in the Honor Guard, helping serve in the Lodge kitchen, and Dining Room.
We received numerous comments about how these young people were so efficient & friendly. The Florence Elks Lodge is proud to help fund this organization with a generous donation of $5000 from our Children’s Activities Account.
They also participate in community service projects, such as placing flags with the Kiwanis Club to honor fallen heroes.
Shark Division, established in October 2024, held its first drill in December and is eager to grow. Our mission is to foster an appreciation for naval service, develop good citizenship, and equip youth aged 10-18 with essential leadership skills. With 336 units across 45 states and U.S. territories, the Sea Cadets provide diverse training in seamanship, aviation, robotics, medical training, STEM, culinary arts, SCUBA, and more. In 2024, over 8,240 cadets participated in the program, gaining valuable skills for future success. We conduct drills on the 2nd weekend of the month, providing cadets with a structured, disciplined environment. Regular training includes physical fitness, drill and ceremony, maritime knowledge, first aid, and team-based problem-solving. Cadets must demonstrate commitment, discipline, and teamwork, building confidence as they master new skills and overcome challenges. Additionally, cadets received Stop the Bleed training from PeaceHealth and will in turn teach these lifesaving skills to the public, strengthening community preparedness.
Our mission is to shape future leaders by emphasizing honor, respect, commitment, and service. Advanced training offers hands-on experience in high-demand fields, including welding for shipyard careers, culinary arts for hospitality and military food service, and medical training that introduces cadets to emergency response and healthcare careers. The program provides youth with opportunities for personal growth, career exploration, and leadership development. We are excited to bring these experiences to Florence and surrounding communities, helping local youth build skills and confidence for future success.
The CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY, December 14th, 2024
with Dr. Delusion’s Comedy Magic Show,
Santa, Mrs. Claus and their
elf helper, cupcakes, ice cream & a stuffed animal for all was a huge success.
Thank you Lisa Brenner, Lecturing Knight,
and all of the wonderful volunteers!
ELKS YOUTH EYE SERVICE
"EYES"
THE OREGON ELKS CHILDREN'S EYE CLINIC IS ONE OF OUR STATE MAJOR PROJECTS
CAMP MEADOWOOD SPRINGS IS ONE OF OUR STATE MAJOR PROJECTS
Florence Elks Lodge #1858 was voted BEST OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY for the 2ND Year by the Siuslaw Newspaper !!! Congratulations to ALL of our volunteers that make this happen!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO TWO-TIME PER ROGER MCCORKLE FOR 55 YEARS AS A FLORENCE LODGE ELK! QUITE A MILESTONE AND STILL GOING STRONG!
I've been asked to reflect on my 55 years as an Elk. When I joined Elks #1858 in 1968, we were a much smaller organization, both in numbers of members and size of our facility.
Membership was approximately 300 to 350. Since then, the Lodge has been as high as 1800 plus, back down to 400-450, and today is approximately 900 members. The building included what is today the main bar, the dance floor, the East Dining area, and the offices on the north side of the building. Interesting when you compare that to the current size of our building.
Over my years as an Elk, the one thing that has always stood out is the members. From our Charter members to our current members, without everyone's support, this Lodge would have closed 15 years ago when we were financially broke. We didn't close, and that was due to the determination of the members to survive as a Lodge. Personally, I have had the great honor of serving as an officer of our Lodge, a committeeman of the State Association (OSEA), and as an officer of the Grand Lodge.
Thank you all for being a part of my 55 years as an Elk.
Roger McCorkle, #1152
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