Elks National Foundation Blog

Lebanon, N.H., Lodge No. 2099 For homeless veterans, a secure place to sleep can be the ticket to a fresh start. Elks at Lebanon, N.H., Lodge No. 2099 helped homeless veterans in their community get this fresh start by providing furniture for a local residential facility. Using its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , the Lodge teamed up with Harbor Homes to furnish bedrooms for six homeless veterans.  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-member goal for Foundation giving. To find out more about Gratitude Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Sparks, Nev., Lodge No. 2397 Elks at Sparks, Nev., Lodge No. 2397 launched a brand-new tradition of giving back to veterans in need. Using an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant , the Lodge participated in its community’s first Stand Down for Veterans. The Elks distributed sweatshirts, socks and pants to an estimated 150 veterans in attendance. Members also solicited donations and discounts from local stores to stretch their grant funds as far as possible. The Lodge plans on being a part of this annual event for years to come. Through Beacon Grants, the Elks National Foundation gives Lodges the opportunity to develop an ongoing, charitable, Elks-driven community project. These $1,000 grants are available to all Lodges. To find out more about Beacon Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Garland, Texas, Lodge No. 1984 Veterans at the Dallas VA Medical Center can count on Garland, Texas, Lodge No. 1984 for support and fellowship. The Lodge uses its ENF Gratitude Grant to host a variety of activities for veterans at the hospital. Elks travel to the medical center once a month to host Bingo. In partnership with the Boy Scouts, Elks distribute food, books and clothes to everyone who participates. The Lodge also hosts a cook-out for these veterans, complete with a horseshoe tournament and karaoke contest. 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-member goal for Foundation giving. To find out more about Gratitude Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .   

Newport, Ore., Lodge No. 2105 Knowledge is power, and Elks at Newport, Ore., Lodge No. 2105 want families to be as powerful as possible when it comes to keeping kids safe. Using its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Promise Grants , the Lodge held its first Family Information Day, providing free eye exams, food, fun games, and demonstrations by local police and fire departments for 55 families. “From our experience this year, we are already planning next year’s event,” says project manager Michael Goldfarb. The Elks National Foundation will help Lodges meet local needs by investing up to $6.5 million this year in Elks communities through Beacon, Gratitude, Promise and Impact Grants. These grants offer Lodges an opportunity to serve the community in ways that will raise the Lodge’s profile, energize the membership, encourage former members to return to the fold, and gain the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that’s doing great things. To learn more about t...

By Programs Associate Mary Morgan In June, I attended a few days of the National Conference on Volunteering and Service . Knowing the passion many Elks have for supporting veterans, I attended speeches and sessions geared toward effectively serving veterans, active-duty military members and their families. Along the way, I met many wonderful people and learned about many great organizations dedicated to doing just that. General George W. Casey While there were no cookie-cutter solutions offered, there were a great many small success stories offered from around the nation. Most of those solutions started locally, a point which would come up again when I went to hear a speech by General George W. Casey on how communities can aid veterans. General Casey is a retired United States Army General, and served as the 36th Chief of Staff of the United States Army. His speech, entitled “All the Way Home,” kicked off the last day of the conference and focused on ways to help veterans, se...

Decatur, Ind., Lodge No. 993 Halloween is just around the corner! The Elks at Decatur, Ind., Lodge No. 993 help local children have a safe and fun holiday. Using an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant , the Lodge distributed candy and drug awareness materials to nearly 1,000 families at a community trick-or-treat day last Halloween. And that’s no trick. 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 .

Clark Fort Valley, Mont., Lodge No. 2757 With the right lighting and little stage make-up, Elks at Clark Fort Valley, Mont., Lodge No. 2757 helped local students put on a Broadway-worthy production. Using an ENF Gratitude Grant , the Elks helped produce Thompson Falls Elementary School’s rendition of “King Arthurs Quest.” With only a week to prepare, the students and the Elks pulled off a great performance, entertaining more than 400 captive audience members.  “The whole town was abuzz with excitement,” says Project Manager Connie Scott. “This week was magical for these kids and the community.” 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 .   

East Liverpool, Ohio, Lodge No. 258 Baseball season is wrapping up in the big leagues, but for East Liverpool, Ohio, Lodge No. 258, the love of the game knows no season. The Lodge used its Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to run a youth baseball and softball camp, drawing more than 70 young athletes. Participants worked on the fundamentals of the game, and even got to meet former Pittsburgh Pirate and 1979 World Series champion Grant Jackson. “Everyone had a great time and the participants wanted to know when we would have another camp,” says Event Chair Chad Prologo. 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 .

Beardstown, Ill., Lodge No. 1007 Beardstown, Ill., Lodge No. 1007 believes that when youth are engaged in the community, great things happen. Using an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , the Lodge created “Project Tiger Pride,” bringing together more than 400 students and community members to landscape the local school, library and fire department. “We made sure the students were involved with the primary planting—thus taking pride in the project, their school and their community,” says Project Manager Jack Fearneyhough. “It was a great community project that boosted morale, spirits and interest.” 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 .   

Christian County, Mo., Lodge No. 2777 Elks at Christian County, Mo., Lodge No. 2777 helped local students start the school year off right. The Lodge combined its Promise and Beacon grants to take 80 students in need on a back-to-school shopping spree. Elks helped each student pick out necessities ranging from shoes to coats. Through this project, the Lodge attracted more than $5,000 in additional community support. “We want children to be comfortable and confident when they return to school,” says Project Manager Tom Shelton. The Elks National Foundation will help Lodges meet local needs by investing up to $6.5 million this year in Elks communities through Beacon, Gratitude, Promise and Impact Grants. These grants offer Lodges an opportunity to serve the community in ways that will raise the Lodge’s profile, energize the membership, encourage former members to return to the fold, and gain the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that’s doing great th...