Skip to main content

Manistique Memories

by Programs Relationship Associate Anne Stretz
 
Elks scholars now have the opportunity to come together in service with their Elks scholar peers. These trips will offer the opportunity to learn about societal issues, serve those in need in the name of the Elks, and the chance for Elks scholars and Elks to connect with their Elks Family across the country. To read more posts about the service trips, click here.  

I recently embarked on the first-ever Elks Scholar Service Trip. On Sunday, August 9, five members of the ENF staff and six Elks scholars departed Chicago and drove up to Manistique, Michigan to serve with Habitat for Humanity HiawathaLand for a week. It took me a while to narrow it down, but here are my top ten memories from the inaugural Elks Scholar Service Trip:

ENF staff and scholars level a floor.
10. Eating lunch together! Andi Wedegartner and other members of Manistique, Mich., Lodge No. 632, provided our lunches each day. After a long morning of work, Andi became the smiling face we looked forward to seeing every day at noon. The outpouring of support from Andi and the local Elks members was overwhelming.

9. Teaching the Elks scholars about Bruce Springsteen. (Seriously, we had to have a lesson about the Boss and his iconic songs.)


8. Reflecting on the boardwalk by the waters of Lake Michigan. One evening, we ventured out to the local boardwalk and were led in a reflection by Maryann Slater. It was a beautiful, almost unreal setting to reflect upon our service together.

7. The wonder of cheese curds. Being a Wisconsin gal, I was so excited that our first pit stop was a Culver’s in Manitowoc, WI where all the Elks scholars could try our fantastic fried cheese curds. The scholars gave nothing but rave reviews, of course.

ENF Staff, scholars, and members of Manistique Lodge at the Lodge.
6. The gorgeous Manistique Elks Lodge. We were told all week how beautiful the Lodge is, and we got to see for ourselves on Thursday night. The Lodge hosted us for dinner and we were treated to a full tour of the beautiful building temple—along with wonderful conversation.

5. Everything is Awesome. Every morning on our ride to the work site we cranked this song up. (Fair warning, if you listen to it, it will get stuck in your head.)

4. Elks scholar teamwork! The Elks scholars jumped in immediately to help restore the 100-year-old home. One of my favorite moments was when Danny, Tyler and Jon used their combined math skills to level a floor. The project was no easy task, but they handled it with talent and teamwork. Seeing their pride afterwards was so special. #WeAreTheChampions

The Pictured Rocks.

3. The beauty of the Pictured Rocks and the Big Springs at Kitchitikipi. You’ll have to check out our pictures because I can’t describe how beautiful the U.P. scenery is.

2. #ElksFamily. From our morning breakfast chats, to our six-hour long car ride. From connecting with the local Elks members, to learning how to hammer. We truly became a close-knit Elks family.

1. Hearing several of the Elks scholars describe the service trip as the best week of their life. #EverythingIsAwesome.

Anne Stretz
Programs Relationship Associate


In 2015-16, the Elks National Foundation appropriated $4.16 million to fund the ENF scholarship program, which provides college scholarships, ensuring a bright future for our nation’s youth. As important parts of the Elks family, Elks scholars have many social and service opportunities to connect with the Elks and each other. For more information about our scholarship programs, and for ways Lodges can get involved with Elks scholars, visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Labels

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

Finding a Place in the #ElksFamily

by Aleah Hahn, Most Valuable Student Scholar Aleah Hahn received a second place Most Valuable Student scholarship in 2018. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with degrees in Biosystem Engineering and German. She is pursuing her master’s degree in Marine Resource Management at Oregon State. In her free time, she likes to cycle, forage and hike. Over my spring break I was able to partake in the 2022 Spring Elks Scholar Service Trip in Chicago! In 2018, I attended the 150 for 150 Service Trip in San Antonio, where we celebrated the Elks 150th anniversary through service. Both were amazing experiences to serve in the name of the Elks. They were alike but also different in many ways.  In San Antonio, I connected with Elks state leadership from my home state of Michigan since the trip was at the Elks National Convention!  I served with 149 other scholars and met many of them. It was a great opportunity to connect with other scholars. The majority of our service was at Haven
1 comment
Read more

The Experience Was a Revelation

by Garrett Schumacher 2011 Legacy Scholar, University of Colorado-Boulder   Prior to this trip of service in Chicago, I had always admired the individuals who gave of their time and talents with the purpose of bettering someone else’s life. I wanted to be like them but for the wrong, selfish reasons. After feeling inadequate in this regard for some time, I decided to take the leap and apply for the opportunity that only an incredible organization could provide. My background with the Elks has shown me that they are a communal group that profoundly affects the lives of many people on a national scale every day; being one of those people through scholarships, I felt I owed something to the F oundation and the people they serve. The experience was a revelation for me. I am a proud member of the Elks family and will continue my work and participation in the organization. I did not owe anyone anything other than gratitude, and I could give of myself for the sole purpose of be
13 comments
Read more

A Boatload of Scholars, a Busload of Clothes

By: Aditi V. Patel,  2019 Most Valuable Student scholar Last week, I had the pleasure of serving alongside 20 other amazing Elks scholars as a part of the Tampa Elks Scholar Service Trip. I did my research before the trip and found that Hurricane Ian had displaced more than 40,000 Floridians in September 2022—I wanted to do something to help! After landing in Tampa, we got right to work by sorting a busload (literally) of clothing that Tampa, Fla., Lodge No. 708 collected from the community for Greater Pine Island. We organized each item of clothing by size, made sure each item was in good condition, and placed them into bags. Whenever there weren’t clothes at my table, I would shift to another station to help others, and I saw other scholars doing the same. It was amazing to see everyone laboriously working for hours without any complaints, learning names and fun facts as we went. We had dinner at the Tampa Elks Lodge, which is where I had my first genuine conversations with the s
2 comments
Read more