Elks National Foundation Blog

Bellafonte, Pa., Lodge No. 1094 Bellafonte, Pa., Lodge No. 1094 partnered with Penn State’s 4-H mentoring program to provide school supplies, backpacks, dictionaries and support to more than 250 students in need. With the help of an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , the Elks held a picnic where students could collect their supplies. Here, Lodge President Dale Moore passes out the school supplies. The Elks National Foundation helps Lodges serve their communities by offering $2,000 Gratitude Grants. Lodges are eligible to apply for Gratitude Grants after meeting the National President’s per-capita goal. To find out more about Gratitude Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Clayton, N.J., Lodge No. 2132 Clayton, N.J., Lodge No. 2132 partnered with Gloucester County Therapeutic Recreation, a local center for people with disabilities, to hold a formal dinner and dance for the center’s clients. Guests enjoyed a turkey dinner followed by hours of dancing, made possible by an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant . “The Clayton Elks do so many wonderful things for our clients, and we are so grateful,” writes Barbara Holt, Director of the center. “Many thanks to the Elks for being exceptionally good to us.”  The Elks National Foundation 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 and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Pawhuska, Okla., Lodge No. 2542 Pawhuska, Okla., Lodge No. 2542 used its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to partner with a local group called Quilts of Valor. The group provides handmade quilts for returning soldiers in the area. Above, hard-working quilters pose with Dustin, a grateful recipient who just returned from serving his third tour in Iraq.  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 .   

Potsdam, N.Y., Lodge No. 2074 Every year, Potsdam, N.Y., Lodge No. 2074 teams up with the city to hold a youth day. Elks rent inflatable houses for children, educate parents and children about drug awareness and act as chaperones for the popular event, made possible by an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant .  The Elks National Foundation 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 and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community . 

Camden, Tenn., Lodge No. 2156 Camden, Tenn., Lodge No. 2156 used its Community Investments Program Promise Grant to teach local children about healthy living. Elks partnered with a local soccer association to hold a kick-off day for the popular league. Children who attended learned soccer skills, and visited with Elroy the Elk who taught them the importance of staying drug free. The Elks National Foundation 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 and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Eugene, Ore., Lodge No. 357 Eugene, Ore., Lodge No. 357 makes sure kids fighting cancer know they have the Elks in their corner. Each year, with the help of a Community Investments Program Promise Grant , the Elks hold events for these children and their families at the Lodge. Children receive toys, play games, and build their own sundaes at an ice cream bar. Their families receive gift cards to help with expenses. This year, clowns and even the University of Oregon duck came to join in the fun. “Thank you Elks for having us over,” writes a parent after one of these gatherings. “My whole family looks forward to these events. They help my son enjoy himself and be around people who care.” The Elks National Foundation 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 and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Clark Fork Valley, Mont., Lodge No. 2757 Clark Fork Valley, Mont., Lodge No. 2757 used its Community Investments Program Promise Grant to build a new playground at a local school. Elks purchased supplies and held a workday where each child at the school came out to help, learning from the Elks volunteers. After the project was finished, a local Native American teacher showed the children how to hold a “sit-in ceremony” to commemorate their new playground. “What a day,” said Project Manager Connie Scott, when asked about the experience. “There were kids and Elks everywhere. Thanks so much for this grant.” The Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Community Investments Program 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 the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Green Cove Springs, Fla., Lodge No. 1892 Green Cove Springs, Fla., Lodge No. 1892 makes sure local students have everything they need to succeed. The Lodge used its Community Investments Program Gratitude Grant to partner with a local children’s charity. Together, they provided backpacks full of school supplies to 600 students in need. When all was packed and ready, Elks and other volunteers delivered the supplies to five different local schools. The Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Gratitude Grants to Lodges to directly address local needs. Lodges are eligible to apply for Gratitude Grants after meeting the National President’s per-capita goal. To find out more about Gratitude Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Lynchburg, Va., Lodge No. 321 Lynchburg, Va., Lodge No. 321 used its Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to brighten the day of the girls living at a local group home. More than 40 Elks helped at a Lodge cook-out for the home’s residents. The following day, a few Elks took the girls shopping for clothes and school supplies. “It was a big success,” says project manager Jill Wagner. “The girls were appreciative and the Elks enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with them.” 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 and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

We all know the good work the Elks do, but does your community? ENF Community Investments Program grants can help Lodges to not only serve their community but also to gain the community’s notice. The more people see and hear about the good Elks are doing, the more they’ll want to be part of an organization that’s doing great things. Throughout 2012, the ENF will follow Redlands, Calif., Lodge No. 583 as members work to raise their Lodge’s profile through community service. Here’s what the Lodge has done so far. In December, Lodge member Sam Trad contacted the ENF looking for advice on how his Lodge could most effectively use its ENF grants . We sent brochures, videos and other information to help with the process, and he took off running. We recently had the chance to ask Trad a few questions about his commitment to and enthusiasm for raising his Lodge’s profile. Here's what he had to say. What inspired the Lodge to start using ENF grants to raise its community profile? I fo...