Christmas for CVEL Community Charities – Christmas 2023
CVEL Community Charities Committee organized a fundraising drive for their 3 sponsored local charities: Community of Hope, Oak Mountain Missions, and Shelby County Family Connections. The over $500 in donations were used to assure the area youth and families served by these organizations would have a Merry Christmas. Each group received presents that included requested items such as games, personal care products, toys, clothing such as coats and warm sweaters, shopping gift cards, along with cash to assist each organization provide special needs. The committee that serves throughout the year to seek ways to serve others in need of help and support includes Mary Ann McKim, Cherie Huey, and Sharon Gaydon. Members assisting the committee with December shopping, wrapping, and delivering include (L to R) Norma Rogers, Delane Ponder, Bill Munch, Liz Ponder, Cherie Huey, Mary Ann McKim.
Simmons Middle School
CVEL Lecturing Knight Joel Boykin invests in the community with annual Career Day 2023 presentations at Simmons Middle School. During his programs he describes the profitability of entrepreneurship and the career skill opportunities in residential and commercial construction. His involvement over the past three years has shown him the positive attitude of some of today’s youth and their potential for making a positive difference.
Shelby County Alabama Sheriff’s Office Citizens Sheriff’s Academy
The Shelby County Sheriff’s office offers two 12 week classes per year to the citizens of Shelby County. The course is designed to give each student an in-depth look into law enforcement, laws and what it takes to be a Deputy Sheriff. Each student will gain a better understanding of the Sheriff’ Office mission, operation and function. The main goal of this class is to heighten community awareness and communications between the Sheriff’s office and the community it serves.
Leading Knight Ron Stone receiving certificate for taking November 2022’s Citizens Sheriff’s Academy Class.
CVEL Trustee Dean Shepherd and his wife participated in the Sheriff’s April 2022 Academy. Dean has interacted with the Sheriff’s department in the past as our Lodge has used Grand Lodge Grant funds to purchase helpful equipment for tracking citizens who wander too far from home. The Lodge also purchased an embassy flag and stand for use in the department’s academy office.
Community Charities
During the month of March 2023 members of the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge donated much needed requested items for its Community Charities—Oak Mountain Missions, Shelby County Family Connection, and Shelby County Foster Parent Association. Easter Baskets were filled with requested items along with your favorite chocolate bunnies. Collections included 20 suitcases and duffel bags; 30 zipper tote bags; cleaning supplies, case of Ziplock bags, personal hygiene needs—50 toothbrushes/dental floss, 25 bars of soap, 15 bottles of travel size haircare bottles, 8 packs of baby wipes, 6 packages of band aides. Other items included baby and adult diapers. Nonperishable food supplies such as cereals, peanut butter, jelly, cereal bars, canned veggies and soups, and pastas/jar sauces were also included in the delivery. The donations for July through September will be focused on school supplies. Members are asked to include notebook paper, pens/pencils, and crayons in their buggy shopping during these months. All donations may be brought to the Lodge for distribution by CVEL Community Charity Committee Members Mary Ann McKim, Cherie Huey, and Sharon Gaydon.
Shelby County Family Connection
CVEL Members John Gaydon and Mary Ann McKimm organized CVEL donations provided to Shelby County Family Connection. This organization’s focus is for care and shelter of youth ages 12-17 from juvenile court system, minors in need of support for problems with consumption of alcohol or drugs, runaways, and homeless.
Shelby County Foster Parent Association
Lodge Member Mary Ann McKimm, Director Amanda Manzanilla (left) and CVEL past President John Gaydon (right) prepare donations for delivery to The Hanger located in Columbiana, AL, where the Association distributes Foster Parent needs. The deliveries support Shelby County Alabama’s approximate 177 children and 72 Foster Parents. Every 2 minutes a child enters foster care; therefore, the needs are continuous.
Oak Mountain Missions
Donation of food staples and school coats for youth given to Oak Mountain Missions. Pictured are Assistant Director Dianne Cesario and Lodge member Mary Ann McKimm.
Barrett Elementary
In May 2022, CVEL members and Christ Church United Methodist Church volunteers provided donations and lots of energy to hold a Fun Day End of the Year Activity Day for inner city Barrett Elementary School.
The $2000 funds were used to rent a Video Game Truck, Game Supplies with Prizes, and lots of Snacks along with a Hot Dog Lunch.
Left to Right: The Crew – PER John Gaydon, Church volunteers: Archie Turner, Don Richard, and Secretary Leon Johnston
ER Sharon Gaydon, PER John Gaydon, Secretary Leon Johnston and twelve Church volunteers provided the needed assistance for Barrett Elementary’s Coach Byron Archibald who served as Director of the event.
Left: Coach Byron Archibald, Church volunteers Peggy Sprague and Paula Campbell
It was reported that members and volunteers had just as much fun as the 450 students, faculty, and staff did!
Left to right: Balancing game – ER Sharon Gaydon and PER John Gaydon
Hula Hoop