GREEN COVE SPRINGS —The Spring Park Gazebo transformed into a space of learning on Saturday, July 11, as children gathered to hear a story.

This unique event was organized by the Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 as part of their third annual Saturday Story Time in the Park series. Each story time offers free books and free snacks. Last weekend, the children took home a summer-themed story: “Chicken on Vacation” by Adam Lehrhaupt.

Grants Coordinator Tracy Carroll said giving back is the Elks’ mission at a national, state and local level. They advocate for a wide range of causes, focusing the majority of their time on veterans and youth. Literacy initiatives like this story time are just one way that local Elks support youth in the community.

The Elks partners with the City of Green Cove Springs and invites guest readers to get involved. For example, members of the Green Cove Springs Police Department read to the children last month. The children were able to see police cars up close, see demonstrations of the lights and sirens, interact with police officers in a relaxed setting and listen to a story.

“We’re very fortunate here in Green Cove Springs to have a very tight-knit community,” Carroll said. “The city helps us…by allowing us the use of the gazebo. And then the police come because anything we can do to foster those positive relationships amongst the community members, that’s what we’re looking to do.”

Carroll has also been a teacher for over 30 years. This school year, she will be moving into the role of media specialist at W.E. Cherry Elementary, pairing seamlessly with her volunteer work promoting children’s literacy.

Jennifer Parker, former Branch Manager of the Green Cove Springs Public Library, has similarly brought her passion for encouraging young readers to her Elks membership. She served as Exalted Ruler from 2024 to 2026 and currently sits on their Board of Directors as a Trustee.

“Saturday Story Time in the Park is a great example of community partnerships in action,” Parker said. “Working alongside the City of Green Cove Springs and local law enforcement, the Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 is helping inspire a love of reading while bringing families together in a fun and welcoming environment.”

The Elks are completely volunteer based. Their service projects are made possible by fundraisers like weekly bingo on Tuesday nights, which is open to the public, and grants from the national level of their organization. This story time was funded by the Beacon Grant from the Elks National Foundation.

“The grants are given to us to involve the community. So that’s what it’s all about,” said member Ed Weston.

Saturday Story Time in the Park is a part of the Elks’ summer literacy program. Their main literacy initiative for the school year is reading twice a month with Head Start, though learning and reading is often incorporated into their other events. They recently held a children’s art, music and activity day with free patriotic books, and they give a stack of free books to each mother at their annual community baby shower.

The final Saturday Story Time in the Park will be on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at 200 Spring St. Children ages 4-9 are invited to attend and enjoy the story and snacks. Free books will be available to the first 25 children in attendance from that age group.

To learn more about Lodge #1892’s work in the Green Cove Springs community, visit elksgcs1892.com/elks-care-elks-share/.