Elks National Foundation Blog

Midwest City, Okla., Lodge No. 1890 Midwest City, Okla., Lodge No. 1890 teamed up with the city and a local golf course and used its Promise Grant to host the first annual “Youth Golf Skills Challenge.” Boys and Girls aged 8 to 14 took on the Lodge’s challenge and put their golf skills to the test. After the competition, all participants and their families were treated to awards banquet. The Lodge was recognized by the city for the successful event, and the mayor already offered his support for next year!  The ENF awards Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to host an event that helps build the character and competence of youth in their community. To find out more about these $2,000 grants, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

By Development Manager Kate Keating Edsey  ENF Chair Carolyn Shupe hands out cookies at Santa Barbara, Calif., Lodge No. 613’s Bring a Veteran to Lunch event. A day in the life of an ENF Chair. That was my original topic when I sat down to blog about our ENF volunteers. However, I quickly realized that there is no typical day for an ENF Chair. As ENF representatives in their Lodge, district and or state, ENF Chairs wear many hats—they are at times promoters, cheerleaders, writers, bookkeepers, event planners or collection agents. No matter what hat they are wearing at any given time, ENF Chairs keep the ENF mission front and center. The work they do, raising funds for the ENF and spreading the word about the good works of the Foundation, helps Elks build stronger communities. That’s a pretty great job to have. Except we all know that this is not a job to ENF Chairs. As volunteers, ENF Chairs dedicate their time, talent and treasure without compensation. They do what they d...

New Albany, Ind., Lodge No. 270 New Albany, Ind., Lodge No. 270 helps local police help local kids. Elks used their $1,000 Gratitude Grant plus an additional $1,000 in Lodge funds to enhance the D.A.R.E. Program, helping kids to make healthy choices. The ENF awards Gratitude Grants to Lodges to directly address local needs. Lodges are eligible to apply for Gratitude Grants after meeting the GER’s per-capita goal. In 2011-12, these grants are worth $2,000. To find out more about Gratitude Grants, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Little River, S.C., Lodge No. 2840 Little River, S.C., Lodge No. 2840 throws some big parties. The Lodge used its Promise Grant to make sure local children in need could celebrate holidays all year round. The Elks started with a Halloween party, and continued with two Christmas celebrations, a Valentine’s Day dance, and an Easter party. Above, the race is on as the children begin the Easter egg hunt. The ENF awards Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to host an event that helps build the character and competence of youth in their community. To find out more about Promise Grants and to download an application, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

By Programs Relationship Associate Anne Shields Practicing at the Basketball Hall of Fame. I attended my first National Hoop Shoot Finals on Saturday, April 30, and what a contest it was! I had heard for weeks how dedicated the contestants were and how much they practiced, but all the talk didn’t prepare me for what I saw on Saturday. Kids ages 8 to 13 were sinking free throws better than NBA players. It was my job to enter scores online for the up-to-the-minute shot tracker . I found myself mesmerized by the consecutive sunk shots, so much so that it was a challenge to stay focused on my job. (Don’t worry though, I entered all the correct scores for those of you who followed along at home on Saturday). Henry Westphal shows off his first place trophy! After watching all 72 contestants step to the line, it was time for a shoot-off between Henry Westphal from Portland, Maine, Lodge No. 188 and Jerrick Rydbom from Blairsville, Pa., Lodge No. 406. The two were competing for the ...

Mid-Westchester, N.Y., Lodge No. 535 Mid-Westchester, N.Y., Lodge No. 535 used its Promise Grant to sponsor a Pine Wood Derby for local Cub Scouts. Elks helped organize the event, hosted it at the Lodge, bought trophies for the winners and provided food and beverages for the racers and their crews. One hundred and fifty scouts participated in the derby, and winners advanced to the district runoff. Read the full story here. The ENF awards Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to host an event that helps build the character and competence of youth in their community. To find out more about Promise Grants, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Calabash, N.C., Lodge No. 2679 Picasso in suspenders! Joe Adams of Calabash, N.C., Lodge No. 2679 puts in some volunteer time for his Lodge’s Impact Grant project. Calabash partners with two nearby Lodges to run its Children’s Shelter Improvement Project.  The Lodge is renovating the children’s area in the shelter so residents’ children can have a safe place to play and learn. The ENF awards Impact Grants to help Lodges significantly address unmet needs in Elks communities. Impact Grants are competitive grants worth up to $10,000 and are open to all Lodges. To find out more about Impact Grants, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

By Communications Specialist Kristen Scaletta Today, our office is busy with last minute preparations for the Hoop Shoot National Finals , which take place this Saturday in Springfield, Mass. I’m looking forward to leaving for my third National Hoop Shoot competition tomorrow morning. This year, I’m anticipating the contest even more, since I had the privilege to attend the Southwest Regional Hoop Shoot contest last month, so I already know some of the finalists. Thanks to Regional Director Jud Good and his wife Deb, Development Manager Kate Keating Edsey and I were able to travel to Dallas, Texas, to experience the regional contest in person. From the moment we arrived at the hotel for registration, we knew the contest would be big. When we pulled up, flags representing each state in the region greeted us at the doorway. Upon entering, we saw a table lined with trophies that were taller than most of the contestants. All of the Elks on Jud’s Hoop Shoot team gave us a warm welcom...

Walterboro, S.C., Lodge No. 1988 Walterboro, S.C., Lodge No. 1988 used its Gratitude Grant to partner with a local school for kids with disabilities. The Lodge purchased adaptive playground equipment, including swings, picnic tables and a playhouse. Above, Lodge members pose with the kids, who are thankful for the Elks’ serious commitment to playing around. The ENF awards Gratitude Grants to Lodges to directly address local needs. Lodges are eligible to apply for Gratitude Grants after meeting the GER’s per-capita goal. To find out more about Gratitude Grants, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

By Programs Relationship Associate Anne Shields Birds chirping. Tulips blooming. Sun shining. Elks scholars serving. Spring is here and Elks scholars are out in full force serving their communities as part of the Elks Scholar Month of Service . We’ve been promoting the Elks Scholar Month of Service since January, when the snow drifts were up to our office windows, so it’s hard to believe April actually arrived and with it, Elks scholar volunteers. Now we are in the midst of the Elks Scholar Month of Service, and we’ve seen a great response from Elks scholars across the country (which is no surprise, since Elks scholars are dedicated to service). So far this month, Elks scholars have served their communities in a variety of ways. Erika Barger, an Elks scholar alum, kayaked out to an island to pick up litter along the Shell Key Preserve beach near St. Petersburg, Fla. A group of seven Elks scholars at Brigham Young University came together to serve at Hoofbeats to Healing, an org...