By China Cassidy Elks Lodge No. 2450 in Holbrook is celebrating their 50th year of service to the community. Exalted Ruler Cindy Allen who has been a member for 20 years gave a look into what it is that the organization does and how it benefits the community. The Elks Lodge is exclusively an American nonprofit organization where members dedicate much of their time to positive youth outreach such as drug awareness and providing over 2,000 scholarships, assisting veterans and providing for those in need within the local communities. Allen explained the requirements to be a member of the lodge. “You have to be an American citizen, you have to believe in God, you have to stand up for the flag and you have to not have any felonies. Each lodge has different membership dues because different lodges offer different products.” The contributions that the Holbrook Elks have made to the community since being established 50 years ago seem endless. The organization provides many resources and activities for the community such as scholarships, dictionaries for third graders, the annual hoop shoot competition, drug awareness, as well as donating to other organizations such as First Step. In addition to fundraising, the organization receives funds from the Elks National Foundation (ENF), which is where a bulk of its monies comes from. “We’re asked to donate to the Elks National Foundation, and they give back to lodges on the interest that the Elks National Foundation has made.” The Elks dedicate much of their time and money to helping the community in many ways. Aside from sponsoring various youth groups such as the Boy Scouts and donating the use of their facility for events such as Grad Night for the high school seniors free of charge, the Elks Lodge also sponsors the Special Olympics and participates in the nationwide Clothe A Child program, a program that seeks out families in need to help provide clothing for children of certain ages. The Elks even hosts a Halloween party each year that typically brings in more than 300 kids. Funds provided by the City of Holbrook and the generosity of Navajo County Fairgrounds helps the organization to host its party inside Martinez Hall at the fairgrounds at no cost. The organization collaborates with other groups to increase their outreach for programs aimed at helping those in need and works with Toys for Tots during the holiday season. “A lot of people don’t really have a clue exactly all that we’re included in,” noted Allen. As part of its mission to serve the community, the organization is diligent about providing Christmas dinners to those in need. Members spend the first part of their Christmas morning preparing hot meals for those who either cannot afford them or simply are not able to cook them. Allen said even non-members show up to help with the dinners. “We have people that choose not to be members who come in and help with the Christmas dinners. We get up at five o’clock in the morning and start cooking hot Christmas dinners and we have a lot of people that want to bring their kids to help fix it. What Christmas is about is giving to those in need, so you know, you don’t have to be a member to help.” The organization as a whole collaborates with the American Legion to honor veterans on Veterans Day. The Elks also donates to the Steele Children’s Hospital in Tucson. Members go to the convention twice a year accompanied by a $500,000 check for the hospital raised by the Arizona Elks, and purchased a special microscope for the hospital to help study new childhood diseases. In addition to all that, there is also a youth camp in Young Arizona that youth organizations can use at no cost to them. “We also support the police, and officers and fire department. We have donated to them to help with some of their life saving equipment and just be part of the fundraisers and stuff that we do,” offered Allen. Allen said that there are 120 members, which is lower than the past and unfortunate because the dues paid help them qualify for grants. “If we meet the grand lodges exalted ruler per capita, then it allows us to apply for different grants,” explained Allen, but added that most of the scholarships they are able to offer depend on how much money they raise. Members have access to the club two days a week, from 2-7 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and members can bring their kids, which Allen said has been a hit for some families who enjoy a good game night in the cozy environment. “The membership is $80. Some of that goes to the Grand Lodge, some of it goes to the state organization and some of it stays with us. To be a member, it allows you to come into our club room because it’s for members only and their guests, it’s not open to the public. It allows you to be part of our family to help do community service in our town and help out with different organizations. It’s mainly to be a part of, what I classify since I’ve been here is the best people on earth.” For those interested in membership or purchasing raffle tickets to help fund the Clothe A Child program this year, contact Cindy Allen at (928) 241-1796.
