Elks National Foundation Blog

Virginia Beach, Va., Lodge No. 2268 Members of Virginia Beach, Va., Lodge No. 2268 aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty for a good cause. In partnership with a local Boy Scout Troop, the Lodge used an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to refurbish a remembrance garden at the Edmarc Hospice for Children. Elks and scouts worked side-by-side, raking, mulching, and planting flowers to create a beautiful outdoor garden space that patients can enjoy. The Lodge also entered pictures from the project—just like the one above—in last year’s Community Investments Program photo contest. It’s that time of year again! The 2012-13 CIP photo contest is happening now. If your Lodge has great pictures of Elks using CIP grants in the community, submit them to the ENF. You could win a brand-new digital camera! Click here for complete contest details. Don’t delay! Submissions are due by March 31. The Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to...

Hillsdale, Mich., Lodge No. 1575 Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day, and Elks at Hillsdale, Mich., Lodge No. 1575 want to make sure even the tiniest members of their community know they are loved. Using an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , Lodge members came together to ensure babies in Hillsdale have a safe place to sleep. Elks assembled 13 baby cribs at the Lodge for a local social service agency. The cribs then went to babies in need, along with blankets, sheets and pillows—all provided by the Elks. 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 .   

Santa Cruz, Calif., Lodge No. 824 Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring this year, which means sunny days spent on the golf course are just around the corner. Until then, read how Santa Cruz, Calif., Lodge No. 824 used its Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to inspire kids to take up the sport. Through the Lodge’s First Chance Youth Golf Clinic, more than 75 kids learned the fundamentals of the sport. Elks helped these young golf pros polish their swings during the six-hour clinic, and provided lunch for all participants. The event was a success for the young athletes and Elks alike—kids gained new skills and new friends, and the Lodge gained two new members. “My son really enjoyed the event, as well as making new friends,” explained one participant’s parent. “He is very excited to learn more about golf." 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 o...

Austin, Texas, Lodge No. 201 When the going gets tough, families in the Lone Star State know they can count on the Elks. Austin, Texas, Lodge No. 201 uses its Elks National Foundation Impact Grant to hold activities for patients at The Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center and their families. Lodge members have rallied to support the project, and there are even waiting lists of volunteers to help out at the children’s events. “Thank you Elks, for your support,” writes Mauren Wood, the Center’s Director. “It makes a difference every day for these children and their families.” The Elks National Foundation helps Lodges serve their communities in significant and ongoing ways by awarding Impact Grants of up to $10,000. Any Lodge can apply for these competitive grants. To find out more about Impact Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community .

Pittsburg, Kan., Lodge No. 412 Pittsburg, Kan., Lodge No. 412 brought together 60 veterans from local nursing facilities for a night of entertainment. Using an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , the Elks hosted dinner and a show for the men and women of honor. The members knew the event was a major success as soon as their guests clamored for an encore from the puppeteer—one of the night’s entertainment acts. Each veteran left with a gift box and the knowledge that the Elks are always there for them. 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 .   

Vincennes, Ind., Lodge No. 291 In partnership with the local YMCA, Elks at Vincennes, Ind., Lodge No. 291 helped local kids swim, bike and run their way to a healthy lifestyle. Using an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , the Lodge sponsored a kids’ triathlon. The Elks were on hand throughout the race to direct participants at each transition point. All 247 young triathletes ran across the finish line to a cheering crowd of Elks, who were ready to award medals to each tenacious competitor. 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 .   

Evergreen, Colo., Lodge No. 2363 To start the New Year, Evergreen, Colo., Lodge No. 2363 resolved to inspire kids to love the great outdoors—a resolution the Lodge will surely keep given its track record with successful youth programs. Last year, in conjunction with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Lodge used an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to hold an outdoor skills day for local youth. Under a picturesque Colorado sky, Elks led a day of fishing, hiking and outdoor skills demonstrations. From planning the day to running the booths to serving lunch to all 120 kids in attendance, every aspect of this Elks’ event was a resounding success! 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 .

Brooksville, Fla., Lodge No. 2582 The gifts are unwrapped, the fruit cake is eaten, and the eggnog is gone, but Christmas magic is still alive and well at Brooksville, Fla., Lodge No. 2582. The Lodge used an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant to hold a Christmas party for local kids in need. A record 320 children attended, enjoying a feast of pizza, soft drinks, snow cones and homemade cookies. During the party, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman greeted the guests. The event culminated with a visit from Santa Claus, who handed each child his or her very own Christmas gift. 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 .

Johnson City, Tenn., Lodge No. 825 For Johnson City, Tenn., Lodge No. 825, the Christmas tree is much more than a decoration. Instead of traditional ornaments hanging from the branches and wrapped presents nestled under the tree, the Lodge's tree is decorated with socks and shoes. These unique ornaments are mementos from the Elks’ recent shopping spree, through which, with the help of an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant , Elks provided brand-new socks and shoes to 279 local children in need. 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 .

By Programs Associate Mary Morgan Debbie Doles, Kristen Scaletta and I landed in Las Vegas on a warm, sunny afternoon, which was a welcome change from recently-turned-cold Chicago. We rented our car and soon left the bright lights and big dreams of Vegas behind as we headed into the dusty red mountains and desert that led us to St. George, Utah. We were on our way to gather footage for the ENF’s soon-to-be released short feature film, Giving Back . For the past three years, St. George ‘Dixie’, Utah, Lodge No. 1743 has used an Impact Grant to run the Pantry Partners for Success project at Millcreek High, a local alternative high school. The Lodge provides material and other support to the students at the school. It’s a wildly successful project, and has both raised the graduation rate at the school and raised the Lodge’s image in the community. Because of this, we chose to feature this project as part of the ENF video, and were headed to get footage of Elks in action. Desert Cru...