Elks National Foundation Blog

Henriette Pruger Donor Services Coordinator If you've sent in a donation to the ENF , Henri's processed it! How long have you been working at the ENF? I am an oldie. I have been here for close to 32 years. I have never been someone who likes change. I like stability. It may not be an active position. As long as contributions come in, we will continue to process them. The funds we receive help pay for college scholarships , veteran projects and drug awareness . They not only help fellow Elk members, but they also help the community. What projects are you/your department working on right now? At the moment, we are just trying to keep up. Donor Services’ work demand has increased lately and we need to keep on top of it. The new thing I am doing is submitting gift batches. We are short a person and I am helping out. I am the person you call on in times of emergency. I have always been reliable. In addition to these duties, we will be shortly doing weekly recognitio

Debbie Kahler Doles Assistant Director Debbie (right) joins Colleen, Quin and Nikyla on the sidelines before the Mavericks' game. How long have you worked at the ENF? I celebrated my ninth anniversary on October 18. What projects are you/your department working on right now? The Programs Department is always a hotbed of activity! The Hoop Shoot season is in full swing! Youth Programs Associate Colleen Muszynski and I just returned from Dallas where we got to witness two of our 2013 Hoop Shoot National Finalists go pro for the night . Nikyla Green and Quin Anderson showed off their free throw shooting prowess during the Dallas Mavericks’ halftime show on October 25. How many 11 year olds can say they’ve shot baskets center court at an NBA game?! Thanks to the passion and determination of a few Texas Elks, two kids have a lot to brag about at school today. And, nearly 18,000 people know more about the Elks and the Elks Hoop Shoot . Priceless. For the seve

Kristen Scaletta Communications Manager Have you received an ENF brochure? Kristen's eye for design ensures all ENF media is engaging and informative!  How long have you worked at the ENF? I started in August 2008, so I’ve worked here for just more than five years. What projects are you/your department working on right now? We just finished tweeting the funded Impact Grant projects during the selection meetings this week. With ENF month promotion well under way, we are also already preparing for Veterans Remembrance Month. Stay tuned for more fun ways to stay connected throughout November! What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I am following all of the ENF’s Facebook updates, especially the daily trivia . Every morning, I look forward to reading comments and seeing photos posted by our supporters and volunteers. What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? The people! As part of the Communications Department, I have the privilege of working closely

By 2013 Most Valuable Student scholar and Elks Scholar Advisory Board member Nate Baker  Nate Baker, 2013 MVS scholar sponsored by Tyrone, Pa., Lodge No. 212, is the freshman representative on the Elks Scholar Advisory Board and new to college life. Throughout his first year of college, we’ll be following Nate through monthly blog posts . Check back each month to see what new adventures Nate encounters during this first year at Cornell! Une Rue de Montreal While just about everyone else fled campus this October to head home, I headed up to the “True North Strong and Free.” That’s right, O Canada! Montreal, to be exact. Equipped with my weak understanding of the French language, passport and bookbag, I boarded the bus for a seven hour international journey out of the infamous “Cornell bubble” and into the real world. The Big Red Marching Band was going to Canada! After crossing the border, several sessions of mad-libs, watching the worst movie that anyone can find (Sharkn

Ashley Brown Programs Coordinator Scholarships Ashley channels her role model Lee Miller as she puts her creative angle on a scholarship mailing. How long have you worked at the ENF? I have worked at the ENF since April 2013. That short time feels like it’s flown by quickly, but I’ve already learned so much and can’t wait to learn more! What projects are you/your department working on right now? We recently launched the 2014 Most Valuable Student and Legacy Awards scholarship competitions so we are working with scholarship chairs to help promote the contest while also answering questions from applicants. Along with our day to day responsibilities, we’re also working to prepare for the Leadership Weekend from April 25 to 27, 2014, where the top 20 Most Valuable Student finalists will be interviewing for top awards. There are a lot of exciting changes and our office has been busy! What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? Besides reading the 25 Lodges in 25 Days ,

Pocatello, Idaho, Lodge No.674 The Elks from Pocatello, Idaho, Lodge No. 674 know the truth in the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Using Elks National Foundation Beacon and Gratitude Grants , the Lodge partnered with local food banks, the school district and family resource centers to start the Kid’s Closet to provide needed supplies for youth in need. The Lodge purchased and collected clothing and hygiene items, and packed and distributed the kits. With help from the Elks, local children of all ages received the supplies and support they needed. Thanks to ENF grants, the Pocatello Elks have formed lasting relationships with other local organizations, reenergized membership, and publicized the Lodge to community members. “The Kid’s Closet allows us to have a project we are proud of while showing community members what the Elks can do,” says Project Manager Sera White. “It gives people a reason to join our organization.” The Elks National Foundation helps Lod

Sarah Louderman Programs Assistant Community Investments Program Sarah just started in her position as Programs Assistant, and she already feels the love from grateful grant recipients. How long have you worked at the ENF? November will be two years. It’s gone by quickly, but I’ve learned so much. What projects are you/your department working on right now? I’m wrapping up as Donor Services Assistant and training for my new position as Programs Assistant working with the Community Investments Program . Programs is reviewing submitted Beacon and Gratitude Grant applications as well as Final Report Forms from completed grant projects. We’re also gearing up for the Impact Grant announcement at the end of ENF Month. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I’m celebrating by reading 25 Lodges in 25 Days on the ENF website. It’s one of the best parts of ENF Month! What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? My favorite part is hearing about how the Elks and

Colleen Muszynski   Youth Programs Associate Fans go wild for the ENF's starting Youth Programs Associate—Colleen! How long have you worked at the ENF? I’ve worked at the ENF since June 2012, so a little over a year. What projects are you working on right now? Right now, I’m working on learning my new role with the Hoop Shoot . Recently, I moved from a Programs Assistant position with the Community Investments Program to the Youth Associate position, which means I’ll be running the day-to-day aspects of everything Hoop Shoot. I’m really excited about this new opportunity! Local Hoop Shoot contests are starting soon, so I’m working to make sure we can gather information from these contests across the country to highlight Hoop Shoot successes as contestants move to Districts. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I’m constantly checking the Foundation’s website and Facebook page to read newly posted features on all of our awesome programs. I especially like r

Erin Rohan Development Manager Erin enjoys the company of her desk plant and the morning sun. How long have you worked at the ENF? About six years. I joined the ENF staff in June 2007. What projects are you/your department working on right now? I am launching a new staff position at full speed! As of October 1st, I’m charged with improving the annual fundraising efforts of the ENF while ensuring best use of the tools and knowledge we have here at the office. Right now among other things, I’m preparing personalized appeal letters for thousands of ENF donors asking for their continued support this season. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I encourage and recognize the hard work of ENF fundraising volunteers! Leadership Pins and contests such as the Leadership Challenge and the Chair Challenge only reveal a fraction of the success these ENF Chairs achieve. We thank them all year long, but ENF Month brings a special opportunity.                              

Mary Morgan Programs Associate Community Investments Program Mary proudly displays thank-you letters from grateful ENF G rant recipients. How long have you worked at the ENF? I’ve worked for the ENF for 5 years. What projects are you/your department working on right now? Right now, the Community Investments Program is busy! We’ve just awarded all 500 Promise Grants . 2013-14 Beacon and Gratitude Grants are online now. We’ve also enlisted the help of many ENF staff members to help evaluate Impact Grant submissions. Applications are being scored every day in preparation for the big October 30 announcement . What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? I’m celebrating ENF month by awarding grants to Lodges to hold great, charitable projects.  What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? My favorite part of working at the ENF is getting to speak with volunteers every day. I know it takes time and commitment to plan projects, recruit volunteers, reach out the co

Jim O'Kelley ENF Director  Jim shows off his teamwork and his cooking skills at the ENF's annual staff retreat How long have you worked at the ENF? A little over 16 years. Started Aug. 1, 1997. What projects are you working on right now? Well, I’m trying to finish the last of my reviews, which is already long overdue. And I’m following up on some things from last weekend’s Board meeting. And I’m reviewing Impact Grant applications. What are you doing to celebrate ENF Month? We’re holding our annual staff retreat this month. I always look forward to that. What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? We have a great team here, and I enjoy working with most of them all of the time and all of them at least some of the time. Okay, that was a nod to the book question below. (Bilbo at his birthday party.) Seriously, the Foundation is the greatest achievement of the Elks organization to date, and every day, I get to help realize the dream of the m