Whether it be collecting toys for community children or buying turkeys for underprivileged families, members of Lake City Elks Club 893 are preparing for a busy week.
During the next five days the organization will host its annual Elks Club Children’s Christmas Party as well as provide food to local families.
The organization’s “Talk Turkey” event, where members and community partners donate uncooked, 12-15 pound turkeys, will take place this evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Marion Street Bistro.
The turkeys, along with other food items, will be given to more than 50 local families in need on Saturday morning.
On Christmas Eve the Elks Club Children’s Christmas Party will take place in the lodge’s back parking lot near Lake DeSoto. Santa Claus will be brought to the event on a fire truck around 5 p.m.
During the event children get to go take a photo with Santa and then get to go into Santa’s toy room and choose a toy or two and visit with his elves for a goody bag.
“For over 50 years we have strived to provide Christmas joy to the children of Columbia County and will continue to do so as long as our doors are open,” said Chuck Nicholson, Elks Club 893 Exalted Ruler, via text message. “There are a lot of children whose only Christmas is provided by Elks Lodge #893, and we are blessed to be a part of that.”
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Lake City Elk Club 893 members Michael Lydick (left) and Larry Ward work on arranging toys Thursday afternoon as they prepare for the annual Elks Club Children’s Christmas Party, which will take place at about 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)