WHO ARE THE ELKS?
Through the Hoop Shoot program, the Elks Club Florida been developing and reinforcing grit for more than 46 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.
What's OUR MISSION
Mission Statement
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the U.S.A.
A Fraternal Organization
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.
Download this mission statement as a shareable PDF.
We are...
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A fraternal order with hundreds of thousands of members and a 150+ year history.
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A network of nearly 2000 lodges in communities all over the country.
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A generous charitable foundation that each year gives millions in scholarships, an inspiration to youth, a friend to veterans and more.
Origin
The Elks organization was founded in New York City on February 16, 1868, under the name "Jolly Corks" by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. In ensuing years, membership expanded to other professions.
Purposes
This Fraternal Order was founded "To promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship."
Membership
The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity. Proposal for membership in the Order is only by invitation of a member in good standing. To be accepted as a member, one must be an American citizen, belief in God, be of a good moral character and be at least 21 years old.
What We Do
The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting special needs children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans' works, a national "Hoop Shoot" free-throw contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs.
The youth of our country have always been important to the Order. It is for this reason the Elks Drug Awareness Education Program was launched to warn primary grade students and their parents of the dangers in drug use. Additionally, every lodge observes June 14th as Flag Day, a tradition which the Elks began in 1907 and was later adopted by the Congress as an official observance.
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Elks Serving Our Communities in Times of Crisis
No different than we do during a hurricane, while “hunkered down”, our thoughts turn to things we as citizens and Elks can do for our community and those most severely affected once the storm has passed!
The current crisis will also incentivize the good in people in ways we cannot yet even fathom!
Let’s be thinking about what we can do once this crisis has passed! How can we best serve our communities? What can we do to help our fellow man? How will Elks be remembered and what was our contribution to getting America back on its feet?
This is hard to say, but the needs of our lodges, I believe, will pale in comparison to the needs of our communities and its citizens!
What will people need? Where can Elks volunteers serve the need? What can we do?
True, our members will need the comfort of their familiar lodge surroundings and I get that, but also our Elks volunteers will need a place to meet, strategize, regroup and serve!
Membership in the Elks soared in the years following WWII. It soared because Americans came together in communities across this country and worked to support the war efforts. A community emerged strong and victorious and people looked for ways to continue to support needs! The Elks was the perfect solution to serve that need!
I believe the Elks can be that solution once again, but it will take planning and foresight!
As your responses to the needs emerge keep me informed! I will help in sharing your acts of kindness and compassion with as many people as I can! I know that Elks are some of the most compassionate and caring people in all over the world!
This is not a “disaster” in the form of a hurricane, tornado, flood or wildfire but it is a disaster of an unprecedented nature. I’m not so sure that may be a disaster relief fund of sorts might be in order!
Stay safe and let the brainstorming begin! We can do this!
For Any Queries Contact us
2424 NW 23rd Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605, USA bsenterfit@gmail.com | Tel: 352-376-7351