Every year, St. George Dixie, Utah, Lodge No. 1743 uses its Beacon Grant to hold an “Eye Fair.” With the help of local doctors, who are also Lodge members, the St. George Elks provide students from the local school district with free eye exams and glasses. More than 250 students were screened this year, and 119 students received vouchers for new glasses.
The Lodge does this project with academic success in mind—local educators help identify students who may be struggling due to vision problems and whose family may have difficulty affording eyecare. This long-running program has established a strong relationship with the local school system, which provides feedback on how the students are doing with their new glasses.
Lodge members and community partners come together to ensure the event goes off without a hitch. Latinos in Action, a high school student group, translates for students who only speak Spanish. More than 30 Elks assist with the various stations.
“Our Lodge considers this to be one of our most important activities,” says Grants Coordinator Elizabeth Reese. “Teachers reach out to us to thank us for this program. Most of the families express their gratitude, and their extended families and friends are pleased to hear of this event and the good works of our Lodge.”
In recent years, awareness of mental health as an important aspect of overall health has increased. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness; as mental health awareness has increased, so has the number of people who recognize that they may need mental health support.
Newport, R.I., Lodge No. 104 uses its Beacon Grant to support Newport Mental Health, which provides free mental health services and substance abuse counseling. The group also does specific outreach to people experiencing homelessness, a population whose mental health troubles can extend their periods of homelessness.
Lodge members assist the partner organization with Mental Health First Aid trainings. These sessions are hosted at the Lodge, and teach the public how to assist someone undergoing a mental health crisis or challenge. The partner’s facilities are available to those experiencing a mental health crisis, but the nature of these crises sometimes prevents the individual from easily getting themselves to the clinic. Ensuring that people in the community can support those in crisis until they get treatment prevents possible harm.
Santa Barbara, Calif., Lodge No. 613 uses its Beacon Grant to expand dental care services. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, about half of American children do not receive regular dental care due to social, economic and geographic obstacles. Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics works to reduce that gap by providing mobile dental check-ups for students at area schools.
The Lodge purchases dental hygiene items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, as well as a timer that counts down the duration of a healthy brush. These items are packed together and distributed at school screening events. Members accompany the dental care team to two schools, walking the students from their classrooms to the screening area, assisting with presentations, and distributing the take-home supplies.
The most important need for someone in poor health, or someone without access to preventative care, are medical resources. For all the healthcare needs that exist, there are as many opportunities for Lodges to use Beacon Grants to ensure their communities remain every kind of healthy.
CIP grant applications open on April 1. For more information on the grants we offer, check out our Grant Toolkits. The CIP can be reached with any questions at 773/755-4730 or LodgeGrants@elks.org.