Elks National Foundation Blog

Kimberling County, Mo., Lodge No. 2505 Elks carry their ship to the starting line. Kimberling County, Mo., Lodge No. 2505 helped fellow citizens by hopping aboard a sinking ship. Elks used their Elks National Foundation Community Investments Program Gratitude Grant to help Chances, a local center for people with disabilities, hold a cardboard boat race fundraiser. Though the Elks’ boat sunk before it reached the finish line, they were still winners, claiming first prize for overall fundraiser and receiving recognition for team spirit. The ENF awards $2,000 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 and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Crestwood, Miss., Lodge No. 2053 Crestwood, Miss., Lodge No. 2053 partnered with the St. Louis VA Medical Center to hold a welcome home celebration for returning soldiers. This celebration was made possible by an ENF Gratitude Grant , a component of the Community Investments Program. Elks volunteered their time and served 1,300 meals to veterans and their families at the celebration. The ENF awards $2,000 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 .   

Golden, Colo., Lodge No. 2740 Elks from Golden, Colo., Lodge No. 2740 used their Freedom Grant to supply clothes for veterans in need.The Elks also volunteered at a local stand down, during which 500 veterans got medical and dental check-ups, learned about VA benefits and received housing assistance. Elks helped with transportation, and the Elks’ presence reminded veterans that they will never be forgotten. Funded by the Elks National Foundation, Freedom Grants, a component of the Elks National Veterans Service Commission, are $2,000 grants that Lodges can use to help veterans or active duty military personnel. In 2011-12, the Elks National Foundation allocated more than $1.135 million to fund the Elks National Veterans Service Commission. For more information, visit www.elks.org/programs/vets.cfm .

By Programs Assistant Brianne Menges I have a confession to make: I don’t really listen to country music. It’s not that I don’t like it; I’m just more of a Glee fan myself. So after landing in the country music capital of Nashville, Tenn., I was a little apprehensive about how much I would have in common with everyone there. Thankfully, our dissimilarities began and ended with our taste in music. Assistant Director Debbie Kahler Doles and I recently traveled to Nashville to attend the National Scholarship Providers Association’s annual conference. While taking a break from various informational sessions, we were able to meet with some local Elks and Elks scholars for dinner. In the months leading up to our trip, this dinner is what I had been looking forward to the most. After working for the ENF for two years, this was going to be my first opportunity to meet Elks and Elks scholars in person. I couldn’t wait! For me, this was a chance to put faces with names, and meet...

Bridgeport, Conn., Lodge No. 36 Bridgeport, Conn., Lodge No. 36 supports veterans in need all year with its Impact Grant , Serving Those Who Served. Elks provide a well-balanced meal once a month, organize holiday outings and purchase much-needed supplies for veterans at the Home for the Brave transitional center. 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 .

Kearney, Nebr., Lodge No. 984 Thanks to the members of Kearney, Nebr., Lodge No. 984, Buffalo County is covered in red ribbons! Elks made sure all students observed Red Ribbon Week by wearing red ribbons, learning the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse, and committing to drug-free lives. With their $2,000 Promise Grant , Elks partnered with Positive Pressure, a workgroup of Buffalo County Community Partners, to spread the drug-free message to all local schools by distributing Elks drug awareness materials and empowering students to make healthy choices. “The Kearney Elks are honored to participate in Red Ribbon Week, and encourage everyone to pledge to say no to drugs,” said Doug Kramer, Lodge Drug Awareness Chair.  In 2011-12, the Elks National Foundation allocated $715,350 to fund the Elks National Drug Awareness Program. For more information on the Drug Awareness Program and Red Ribbon Week, visit www.elks.org/dap . 

Charles, City, Iowa, Lodge No. 418 Elks at Charles, City, Iowa, Lodge No. 418 know how to throw a party! The Lodge used its Promise Grant to hold Halloween, Christmas and Easter parties for children of deployed Iowa National Guard soldiers. After the celebrations wind down, Elks send notes to soldiers with pictures of their kids at the parties. The Elks also support these families by fundraising for those in need. The ENF awards $2,000 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 .

Waukesha, Wis., Lodge No. 400 Waukesha, Wis., Lodge No. 400 used its Gratitude Grant to send local girl Cara Aldrich to a week-long summer camp for people with disabilities. Cara spent the week swimming, bowling, dancing, boating and having a great time. She thanked the Elks for the opportunity and called the camp “the best week of her life.” The ENF awards $2,000 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 This past week, I had the opportunity to visit a 2011 ENF Cornerstone Grant project in Milwaukee, Wis. Elks scholar alum Karlye Rodriguez-Wisdom received a $500 ENF Cornerstone Grant to create an urban garden, called the Cream City Gardens, at the Guest House Homeless Shelter. Now, a few months later, the garden is providing healthy, nutritious food to the residents of the shelter and Karlye is teaching them how to care for the plants. Ever since Karlye received the Cornerstone Grant this spring, I have been eager to see the project come to life. So I was thrilled when Karlye invited the ENF and the Milwaukee Elks to a Harvest Party to celebrate a successful season of gardening. Steve Vitale, a member of the Milwaukee, Wis., Lodge No. 46, joined me at the event where we got to see the Cream City Gardens in action. When I first laid eyes on 30 garden beds, it was clear how much hard work went into transforming a vacant lot in downtow...

Duarte, Calif., Lodge No. 1427 Thanks to an ENF Impact Grant, Elks at Duarte, Calif., Lodge No. 1427 partner with the Community Service Council to provide bikes and helmets to kids in need, along with free classes on bike safety and repair. Elks also helped start a program in which older kids teach younger kids how to ride and care for their bikes. Sounds like Elks have this project really rolling. 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 .