Elks National Foundation Blog

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! About halfway through January, I was confronted with a decision that would shape my next three and a half years in college. This decision answered a few key questions about my future:  Who was I going to live with?  Where would I live? Who are my best friends going to be? And, most importantly, which fraternity am I going to join? The period referred to as “rush week” was over—my body ached from skiing, paintballing, and walking. Dinners, activities, parties, and about five too many “speed dating” events had decimated my stamina and made my ch

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Lodge No. 2517 Not even the polar vortex this winter could stop the Elks from helping community members in need! Using an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant , Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Lodge No. 2517 purchased and distributed coats, hats, shoes, gloves and jeans for local youth in need. Elks partnered with the Osage Upper Elementary School to determine which students would benefit most from new cold-weather gear. Thanks to the Beacon Grant, the Lake of the Ozarks Elks provided winter supplies for 44 students—and found 44 new friends! “Thank you for your kindness,” says Osage Upper Elementary School Counselor Beverly Kincade. “We are blessed to live in such a caring community. Your generosity has made a difference in the lives of children.” Don’t miss the opportunity to serve your community with $2,000! Beacon Grants, available to every Lodge, help Lodges like Lake of the Ozarks hold ongoing, Elks-led charitable projects. Don’t wait! Applicati