NFM Elks Club Summer Fest event a big success

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ANDREA GALABINSKI Elks member Nadine Headrick, winner of a raffle, with Exalted Ruler of the lodge Judy Hanson at Summer Fest event. Headrick donated half of her winnings back to the lodge.

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Venders Linda Rohwer of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and Robin Carson of Accent With Jewelry were just some of the vendors who helped make the three-day event a success.

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Larry Carie, trustee and chairman of the Veterans Committee with Hanson and and Veterans Committee Secretary Ellie Novak.

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Over Father’s Day weekend, the local North Fort Myers Elks Lodge held its first annual three day long Summer Fest celebration.

“It was a very successful event,” said the lodge’s Exulted Ruler Judy Hanson. “A lot of people came to the lodge that didn’t even know we were here before.”

The fest included a car and motorcycle show, a flea market and a Father’s Day breakfast.

“Friday night was the busiest,”Hanson said. “We had a bike night and car show, and the lodge was completely full.”

The event had several purposes. One was to educate the community on the good work local Elks members do, and the other was to have perspective members come and meet current members.

Larry Carie, chairman of the Veterans Committee and Ellie Novak, the committee’s secretary were also happy with the turnout, being able to share the many good works the lodge does for local veterans and other causes.

There is a Drug Awareness Program through the Elks National Foundation, and the Elk’s Veterans Committee is an active group. Every Tuesday, homeless veterans are invited to the lodge for a meal and to get clothing and essentials. Bicycles are also distributed to them when available, to help them get to a job.

The Disabled American Veterans organization also has a strong presence there.

“We also support the Florida Elks Youth Camp,” said Hanson. “This camp is open to children and grandchildren of the Elks members, and other children who are in need of a camping experience.”

They also support Elks Children’s Therapy Services. “This is a mobile therapy unit that provides physical and occupational therapy to those in need with absolutely no money taken from the families.”

Hanson said the membership drive is still on-going. “What we offer is a one-on-one social aspect with the ability to promote charity work.”

To be a member, you need to be over 21 years of age, an American citizen, and believe in God, she said. You also should be sponsored by an Elk member, but many will sponsor new members.

The North Fort Myers Elks Lodge is at 2163 Twin Brooks Rd. in North Fort Myers, a small side street just northeast of River Bend Golf Club on Bayshore Road.

For information call 731-6100.