Kissimmee Elks welcomes Brotherhood Ride Saturday

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  • Brotherhood Ride
    Brotherhood Ride
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On Saturday, Oct. 3, the Kissimmee Elks Lodge No. 1873 will host the Brotherhood Ride, a nonprofit organization comprised of firefighters, law enforcement personnel and emergency medical personnel who ride bicycles to honor those who have died in the line of duty. 

Started in 2007 by a group of North Naples firefighters who wanted to honor nine members of the Charleston, S.C. Fire Department who died in the line of duty, for 13 years, the organization has raised thousands of dollars to help the families of the fallen.

This year’s ride which started today in Fort Myers, is dedicated to the 25 fallen heroes from Florida who died in 2019 and consists of more than 50 riders. The seven-day ride covers more than 500 miles and ends on Oct. 7 in Live Oak.

On Saturday, the riders will be coming through and staying overnight in Kissimmee.  Anyone who would like to support their efforts by welcoming and greeting them when they arrive, are invited to be at the Elks Lodge, 1655 Kings Highway, Kissimmee, at 4:30 p.m. The Elks Lodge will host the group overnight and provide dinner and breakfast the following morning before they travel to their next destination.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order founded in 1868 originally as a social club in New York City.  Today, the purpose of the Elks is to promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship. Locally, the Kissimmee Elks Lodge No. 1873 invests in Osceola County through programs that support the veterans, ensure children grow up in a healthy drug-free environment and improve the quality of life for residents in our community.