Valdosta Elks and women led by Exalted Ruler Bruce Hayden and Auxiliary President Kim Stracener made their presence known at the 107th annual reunion of the Georgia Elks Association at Jekyll Island. Wearing shirts designed by Ron Corbett of Boardwalk in Remerton, the group was readily recognizable at the special functions.

Elks attending as voting delegates with Hayden were GEA Past State President Ray Hamel, Valdosta Past Exalted Rulers Mike Johnson and Roy Spiker, Lodge Officers Kristi Jones, Gerry Stracener and Fred Wise, and GEA Officer Connie Snipes.

Auxiliary members attending with Stracener were GEA Past Auxiliary Presidents Sandra Regan and Dixie Spiker, Past Valdosta Auxiliary Presidents Lisa Hayden and Deborah Johnson, Valdosta Auxiliary’s Woman of the Year for 2007 Carol Wise, and Past GEA First Lady Anita Hamel.

Hayden and Jones also attended special meetings for the top lodge leaders, Spiker was active in meetings of lodge secretaries, and Hamel worked with the past state presidents and the GEA Board of Directors.

Hayden was also appointed as assistant sergeant at arms for the association for the year 2008-2009.

The local auxiliary received several awards for their work in 2007-2008 under the leadership of Lisa Hayden. They won first place in the Southeast District and first place in the state in their Elks Aidmore Children’s Center participation efforts.

They took first place in the Southeast District and second place in state for their work and participation in Valdosta Lodge affairs.

Finally, they took first place in the Southeast District and third place in state for their community service work.

The highlight of the awards night presentations was the awarding of the prestigious Jimmy McDonald Award to Deborah Johnson of Valdosta for her work in recruiting the most new members in the auxiliary for 2007-2008. This award was generated by McDonald many years ago because he wanted to recognize the auxiliary which he considered so valuable to the assistance of the lodges in the support of the Aidmore Center’s work.

After his death, the Elberton Lodge continued to recognize outstanding women promoting the work of aidmore auxiliaries.