GRAND LODGE
To inculcate the principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
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Below are some of the ways that the Elks benefit our communities:
SCHOLARSHIPS
Ranging from $1,000 per year to $7,500 per year, MVS scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college or university. Click here to learn more about the Elks National Foundation's Scholarship Program.
NATIONAL MEMORIAL
A monument in the truest sense, the Elks National Memorial was built in 1926 to honor Americans whose profound sacrifices for the nation can never be recognized by mere words. You can read about the building's history or take a virtual tour. When you're ready to come and see the Memorial in person, you can plan your visit, too.
ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION
The mission of the ENF is to help Elks build stronger communities. We fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We help youth develop lifelong skills, send students to college, meet the needs of today's veterans, support the charitable work of the state Elks associations, and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.
ELKS HISTORY PROJECT
Dive into the rich heritage of the Elks through the Elks History Project. Explore the history of the Elks organization, contribute your own stories and memories, read about famous Elks who made a difference, access archived issues of The Elks Magazine, browse the History Gallery, enjoy compelling historical stories, test your knowledge with our Trivia Quiz and more! Click here to visit the Elks History Project
HOOP SHOOT PROGRAM
Through the Hoop Shoot program, the Elks have been unleashing grit for more than 50 years—long before researchers and experts concluded that grit is so important for our children. Just listen to the parents and contestants in these videos. They’re talking about grit. Read more here.
VETERANS SERVICES
Elks volunteers provide direct service to veterans in more than 330 facilities each month. Through our grants to Elks Lodges, we connect with veterans and military members in their communities, providing them with services where they live. We help veterans rehabilitate and reach out to some of our most vulnerable veterans experiencing homelessness. Find out more here.
DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM
The Elks are committed to eliminating the use and abuse of illegal drugs by all members of society and believe that in order to ensure a bright future for our country, it is essential that our children be raised in a drug-free environment.We are very proud of our dedicated army of volunteers who freely give their time and talents to this most noble cause. Read more here. Watch the video here.
SOCCER SHOOT
Soccer is one of the fastest growing youth activities in the country. The Elks Soccer Shoot Program is geared to coincide with this sport phenomenon. From toddlers to teens, in our large urban centers to our small suburban settings, soccer is becoming the sport of choice for our youth. This program is the kind of sporting event to help keep our youth focused and away from undesirable activities. For more, click here.
JUNIOR GOLF PROJECT
One of the fastest-growing co-ed sports in America is golf. With younger players such as Rickie Fowler and Michelle Wie, golf is becoming as popular among boys and girls as soccer. Many high schools now have golf not only as a co-curricular sport, but also as a PE class. Local golf courses are also recognizing the growth and popularity of the sport and are sponsoring numerous programs for young golfers. For more, click here.
ANTLERS CLUB
The newest program in Elkdom is an old one! Yes, it is the Junior Elks Program called "the Antlers." It is a chance for young people in our communities to get involved with the Elks in the many service-related projects our lodges sponsor. Membership in the organization is open to any individual who has passed their twelfth and not yet reached their twenty-first birthday, who is a citizen of the United States of America, of good character and who believes in the existence of God. To inquire about the Santa Ana Antlers club, click here.
DICTIONARY PROJECT
The Dictionary Project's primary focus is to promote literacy to children in third-grade as they transition from learning how to read to identify and use information. Over the course of the program nearly 15 million third-grade students have received dictionaries including about 2.5 million dictionaries donated in 2009. To find out more, click here. You can watch a video on the project here.
YOUTH RECOGNITION
The "Teenager" and/or "Student" Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Their accomplishments should be recognized and praised.Our ;ocal lodges seek out teenagers and/or students in both junior and senior high schools and select an outstanding boy and girl at both levels each month, and then yearly, and with publicity, give them awards for their accomplishments.
To connect to a list of Grand Lodge's social media pages, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, click HERE.
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To view Grand Lodge's web page, click HERE.
CALIFORNIA/HAWAII ELKS ASSOCIATION
164 Lodges in 19 Districts (including the Island of the Philippines), the California-Hawaii Elks Association CHEA serves disabled children, veterans, and our youth in a wide range of activities. We are a proud organization with roots back to 1868 and thousands of Elks, who have not only helped millions of people but are a social organization that enjoys the company of other Elks at our lodges where our meals and beverages support our growth and the community.
B.P.O.E. stands for The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (or as they are affectionately known, the Best People On Earth). Elks are American Citizens who want to save its great values; who love others and want to make sure they are healthy and happy; and who love life and want to contribute to it, as well as to share it. As a member, we find there is nothing better than serving our community through the various activities and charities supported by our local Elks Lodge.
The California-Hawaii Elks Association CHEA is best known for its support of children with disabilities. Among these pages you will find many heartwarming stories and videos that relate to our Major Project, often referred to as The Purple Pig. The Purple Pig is the fundraising arm of this charitable work and serves as a reminder to the membership that our greatest joy is in giving to and helping others. Whether you help through the various support methods such as our BLT Legacy Giving Program, regular monthly donations, filling the Purple Pig with the “A Coin A Day so they can Walk, Talk, See and Play”, or simply using the GoodSearch Search Engine–there are many ways to support the children and their families who may have had little hope without the CHEA intervention.
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To connect to the CHEA web site, click here.
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To read more about the major project and its support by the Santa Ana Elks Lodge, click the purple pig below.
