November Reminders:

The Order of the Elks has designated November as Veterans Remembrance Month, the month of Veterans Day. Every Elk should know our solemn pledge of “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”

Veterans are our heroes!

Please find a way to honor veterans in your Lodge and in your community. Some ways to say you care would be by hosting a veterans’ dinner at your Local Lodge, distributing care packages, and attending local events that coincide with your community’s recognition of veterans. Remember, our organization led the way in 1917 to fund and later establish the first veterans’ hospital.

Thank you to all the state and Lodge veterans chairpersons and the volunteers who help make our program for our veterans a priority and success.

Speaking of recognizing other important people, it’s time to make sure the youth in your local schools are getting the essay contest information they need. Their essays should be submitted for judging by December 15.

November also marks the need to be active citizens by voting in the election, always held the first Tuesday of the month during November.

Thanksgiving is the hallmark of the month, a time for families to come together and fellowship and give thanks to God. I wish you and your loved ones a blessed holiday season as you show “Elkdom’s Heart For America.”

Community projects show Elkdom’s Heart for America

What an unbelievable opportunity to serve our great Order! I need to first thank my wonderful wife, Julia. Without her love, support, and commitment this experience would not be possible. We both are so grateful to have been chosen to take this amazing journey. We have been so blessed by the support of our family, friends, and our Elks family. We are so thankful for everything you do.

My theme this year is “Elkdom’s Heart for America.” It means recognizing all the honorable and charitable things Elks strive for and want to accomplish in their quest to make their communities and America a better place. I chose this theme because it exemplifies what our founding Members learned when they came to the aid of a fellow Elk’s widow 156 years ago. It was that spirit that changed the local social club into the amazing organization it is today by demonstrating charity and brotherly love.

As we travel the country, Julia and I will be promoting our Elks programs administered by our Grand Lodge Committees to make our Lodges stronger and improve our image throughout our great Order. We will be promoting local community service projects. Here’s an opportunity to engage with your schools, help children who need it by providing critical school supplies, and lay the groundwork for other Elks youth programs. These programs can build stronger communities while stimulating a response that motivates worthy members of the public to seek Elks membership. In this way, our community service builds the foundation for our future.

Successful Lodges create and develop local projects that can become signature accomplishments in the eyes of their community. In turn, members of the community will see these projects mature over time and want to become involved.

If we work together toward our charitable pursuits and remain faithful to our programs, I’m confident we will see an increase in membership. It will not be just temporary gains, but a new time of growth where participation becomes commonplace.

A great source of funding community projects is the Elks National Foundation, known as the “Great Heart of Elkdom.” For 2024-25, the ENF allotted $16.3 million to the CIP to help build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet the needs in areas where we live and work. The support we provide makes the Foundation’s work possible.

The goal established for 2024-25 is $5.00 per Member. Here’s an idea for this week: Visit elks.org, go to the Fraternal Committee page, and print off a copy of the “Patriotism Week Proclamation.” Have your mayor sign it to proclaim September 9-15, 2024, as National Patriotism Week in your town. Then, use this opportunity to encourage new Members to join our great Order.

Remember “Elks Care – Elks Share” by showing “Elkdom’s Heart for America.” God bless you all, God bless our troops, and God bless America!