Every year, herds of Elks travel to the Elks National Convention to celebrate Elkdom, carry out business matters of the Order, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones. For the past few years, many of them also have made a meaningful difference in the lives of people living in the Convention city.
Once again this year, the ENF asked Convention attendees to shine a spotlight on service by donating new socks or new or gently used children’s books to benefit people in the Austin area. Some Lodges went far above the call to action, including Bristol County, R.I., Lodge No. 1860, which donated 550 pairs of socks. In total, 401 Lodges participated in the drive, filling 18 boxes with children’s books and 35 large laundry bags with socks. Participation in the Spotlight on Service Drive was the largest it has been since the inaugural year in 2019.
"I am continually blown away by the generosity of the Elks,” said Senior Programs Associate Meaghan Morris. “The Supply Drive was a complete success, and these contributions will make a significant impact on the Austin community, providing warmth and comfort to our veterans and fostering a love of reading among local families. The Elks' dedication to service exemplifies the spirit of our organization, and we are deeply thankful for the support!"
To ensure that the impact of this drive continues long after the Convention, every Lodge that donated was entered into a drawing to win a bonus $2,000 Community Investments Program grant. The winners of this grant are Desert Hot Springs, Calif., Lodge No. 2639; Boonton, N.J., Lodge No. 1405; Ashland, Ore., Lodge No. 944; Taunton, Mass., Lodge No. 150; and Lamar, Mo., Lodge No. 2800.
Members of the Scholar Advisory Board and Hoop Shoot Alumni Advisory Board continued the Foundation’s commitment to service by volunteering with local nonprofit organizations. They started on the campus of Austin Community College Riverside, where, in collaboration with the Central Texas Food Bank, they distributed groceries to community members, students and staff. In the afternoon, they headed to Sammy’s House, a child development center, where they did yardwork, organized the facility, and ensured everyone could enjoy the fun of the playground by assembling a harness for an adaptive swing.
“We had such an incredible day seeing Austin through the eyes of these organizations that do so much for their communities,” said Program Relations Associate Libby Willkomm. “I am so grateful our students got to make a difference in Austin in the name of the Elks!”
The differences made by the ENF are only possible because of the generous support of donors, which is why the ENF held two different thank-you events at Convention. ENF donors who gave more than $1,000 in the last fiscal year or who’ve planned a gift to the Foundation were invited to a special night at a nearby speakeasy. The exclusive night included good music and great food—and some 1920’s inspired outfits!
The following morning, the ENF hosted the second annual Bagels with the Board reception. Open to members of the ENF’s monthly giving program, the Fidelity Club, the open-house event gave more than 700 donors the chance to grab a bite to eat while mingling with the SAB, BackBoard, and ENF Board of Trustees. They even got to see a short program where the 2024 Hoop Shoot Getty Powell Award winners received their trophies for being the top overall finalists.
“These donors make the Foundation’s work possible—they certainly deserve to be celebrated,” says ENF Board Chair Mike Smith, “and I’m not just saying that because I’m also a member of the Fidelity Club!”
At the Convention’s Opening Ceremony, the ENF was given the chance to display the impact that these generous donors have had on the communities where Elks live and work. Chairman Smith shared about the growth of donations to the ENF over the past several years.
“Our Foundation wasn’t built by a few people giving a lot. It took a lot of people giving a few dollars—whatever they could afford,” said Chairman Smith. “Now, this past year, you threw the slow-and-steady formula out the window. You gave more, and more of you gave, and just two years after crossing the $7 million mark for the first time, y’all donated more than $8 million.”
Assistant Director Debbie Doles and Youth Programs Manager Makenna Cannon then shared some of the touching stories that have come from ENF programs over the past year.
El Paso, Texas, Lodge No. 187 uses an Impact Grant to provide essential hygiene items to the members of its community—and has provided over $600,000 worth of supplies over the seven years of the program. Ainsley Weaver, a nine-year-old from Ohio, went from not knowing how to shoot a basketball to being a Hoop Shoot National Champion and Getty Powell Award winner, all in the span of two years. Former Elks scholars Sean Loosli and Bryce Caswell have been beacons of support for current Elks scholars, and even attended the Most Valuable Student Leadership Weekend in Chicago to provide further guidance.
“We are building stronger communities,” said Smith. “We are unleashing gritty kids. We are empowering the next generation of leaders. This is what we do as Elks.”
These stories are only the beginning of the differences Elks and the ENF have made over the past year, but at the Convention, the ENF also looked toward the future. They hosted three seminars—about unleashing gritty kids through the Hoop Shoot, engaging and retaining donors, and the best practices for CIP grant use—that equipped Elks to continue serving their communities.
Throughout the weekend, the ENF took many moments to serve, show gratitude, and plan for the future. As they look ahead, one thing is certain: Elks will continue building stronger communities—together.
A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Elks National Foundation helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. For more information on the ENF, visit elks.org/enf.