Elks National Foundation Blog

Ocean Shores-North Beach, Wash., Lodge No. 2581 Teens from North Beach High School danced the night away thanks to Ocean Shores-North Beach, Wash., Lodge No. 2581. The Lodge used its Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to host the high school’s Saturday Night Lights dance. The successful event put the Elks and the work they do for the community in the spotlight. “Many of the high school seniors are already talking about becoming an Elk,” says Lodge President William Sisco.  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 local youth. To find out more about Promise Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Page, Ariz., Lodge No. 2498 Page, Ariz., Lodge No. 2498 used an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to offer local youth access to a whole new game. Elks partnered with Page Youth Football to start the first youth football league the community has had in years. “Keeping youth involved with healthy activities helps them grow into better citizens,” says Project Manager Russ Madsen. Here, the children pose with some of their new equipment.  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 for Foundation giving. To find out more about Gratitude Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Valparaiso, Ind., Lodge No. 500 Elks at Valparaiso, Ind., Lodge No. 500 used an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to ensure local children had a safe place to spend time after school—Hilltop House’s Walt’s Place. Hilltop House’s Walt’s Place is a youth center that provides everything from hot meals to tutoring for the students to ESL classes for their parents. “This organization is a local success story that impressed us all,” says Project Manager Steven Justman. 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 .   

Fond du Lac, Wis., Lodge No. 57 Elks at Fond du Lac, Wis., Lodge No. 57 know how to keep a good thing rolling. The Lodge uses it Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to hold bowling parties for kids and teens with disabilities. Every other month, Elks gather with these bowlers to share lunch and a little friendly competition. At the end of the night, every bowler gets a medal, and the top two scorers receive a trophy. 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 local youth. To find out more about Promise Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Newark, N.Y., Lodge No. 1249 Lodge member Bob Schinsing (left) poses with the shelter’s director. Bob regularly volunteers at the Humane Society, and has used his handyman skills to build a shed, shelving units, doors and play cubes. If these dogs could talk, they’d say, “Thank you, Elks!” Elks at Newark, N.Y., Lodge No. 1249 have a soft spot for animals. Each month, members collect supplies to donate to the Humane Society of Wayne County. The Lodge also uses its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to support the shelter. 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 .   

In March 2012, Lindsay Saunders joined the Elks National Foundation as the Youth Programs Associate. As part of her job, Lindsay will manage the day-to-day operations of the Elks Hoop Shoot. This April, Lindsay traveled to Springfield, Mass., for the National Finals, where she saw her very first Hoop Shoot contest in action. By Lindsay Saunders, Youth Programs Associate Lindsay learns the intricacies of Hoop Shoot registration. “Elks LOVE the Hoop Shoot!” I was told this several times before ever witnessing a Hoop Shoot in person.  Sure, I read through materials, studied the rules, even watched couple of YouTube clips of local contests. Still, nothing quite prepared me for the tremendous event that is the National Hoop Shoot Finals. I arrived at the Sheraton Hotel in Springfield, Mass., and immediately began meeting Hoop Shoot volunteers who had been working tirelessly to prepare for what I was to witness in the next couple of days. For most Elks volunteers, this year’s ...

Bay City, Mich., Lodge No. 88 In Bay City, Mich., veterans know the Elks care. Bay City, Mich., Lodge No. 88 used its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to plan a great day out for veterans in partnership with the National Guard and a local veterans’ group. Elks provided food, support and publicity for the Walleyes for Warriors event. “We have a passion for supporting those that served," says Project Manager Anthony Bosco, a Vietnam veteran himself. "We are planning of having this event again next year.”  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 .   

Harrison-East Newark, N.J., Lodge No. 2326 Play ball! Harrison-East Newark, N.J., Lodge No. 2326 used its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to help local youth get in the game. Elks donated to the Little League; sponsored a team; and helped with the opening day ceremony, parade and barbecue to kick off the season. 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 .   

By Christine Vaccarello, Development Associate “Where do you work?” “What do you do?” Over the last four years, I’ve tried out many different explanations when responding to these questions. I’ve learned that to the non-Elks public, the Elks National Foundation is not a household name. So when I tell people that I work for the Elks, they almost always want to know more. Next, they’ll either ask, “Who are the Elks?”, or my favorite, exclaim “I know the Elks!” and then share a special memory about the Lodge in their community or an Elks family member. For instance, one of my friends recalls the Elks sponsoring his youth tee ball team, from the uniforms to the post-game snacks. Here in Chicago, many people who hear “Elks” associate it with the Elks Veterans Memorial building. It’s a Chicago landmark, after all. They’ll ask, “You work in that building?! Can you give me a tour?” I respond, “Become an ENF donor, and I’ll be glad to give you a tour.” But my favorite thing to talk ab...

Portsmouth-Chesapeake, Va., Lodge No. 82  Anchors away! Portsmouth-Chesapeake, Va., Lodge No. 82 used its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to help kids battling cancer. The Lodge partnered with the Roc Solid Foundation to build a play set for a local child fighting cancer. “Being a part of one of these builds is a heartwarming, truly gratifying experience,” says Project Manager Thom Grubbs.  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 .