Elks care, Elks share

KELLOGG — The Kellogg Elks Lodge No. 1841 has had a busy and charitable Autumn supporting the local community, most specifically veterans and education.

The Elks hold a promise: “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”

Carol Young with the Elks explained that most recently, the Elks hosted a dinner on Veterans Day last Friday, and she was pleased with the attendance.

“We love our vets!” she said. “We had anywhere from 75-100 people attend.”

The dinner, which was free for vets and raised funds for the Elks veterans program, was just the latest act that has supported those who have served.

On Oct. 22, the Kellogg Elks and Osburn VFW partnered to host the Winter Bliz Stand Down.

Young explained that the event was a way to provide Shoshone County Veterans with hygiene items, slippers, blankets, coats, socks, gloves and hats in a convenient way.

Starting the collection process in August, the Elks were able to offer quite a bit and provide to roughly 20 veterans.

“We ended up with about three tables full of stuff,” she said. “We had a great turnout from both Elks members and friends. They were really generous.”

To round out the veteran’s support for the year, the Elks were able to provide gas and grocery gift cards to Shoshone County veterans, thanks largely to a $1,000 Spark Freedom grant offered by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.

“They really appreciate those cards, especially with how expensive gas and groceries are now,” Young said.

Handed out in May 2022, she stressed the importance of the Kellogg Elks being a grant recipient, as only 400 Freedom Grants were awarded throughout the approximately 2,000 Elks Lodges nationwide.

The Freedom Grants are intended to assist with project donations that serve veterans and active-duty military members. They do this by allowing Lodges to be flexible and offer support to veterans who are isolated or experience higher levels of need.

In total, the Kellogg Elks have provided $9,500 in monetary donations to local veterans over the last three years.

Young was complimentary of Osburn VFW Commander Chris Marker, who has assisted in getting the proceeds of the Elk’s charity to the veterans who need it.

“Chris Marker is just fantastic. He kind of keeps his finger on the pulse of who needs what and if there’s people needing more help.”

Marker is equally appreciative of Young, who has stepped up to fill a void for the VFW since the Wallace Elks shut down their veteran program some years back.

According to the state of Idaho, of the 44 counties in Idaho, Shoshone County is home to the largest percentage of veterans, with approximately 1,326 as of Sept. 30.

The Kellogg Elks’ benevolence doesn’t stop at just veterans, though.

Education is also an essential part of the charitable donations that the Elks’ provides. In September, The Kellogg Elks received a National Elks Foundation Grant at $2,000, which was used to purchase furnishings for the Pinehurst Elementary School (PES) Special Education and Life Skills classroom.

“The need for the Life Skills/Special Ed area was identified by Principal Mike Groves, the separate area has been needed for a number of years. Due to the school economic status, it has not been possible,” Young explained.

Last year, the Elks were able to donate $2,000 in proceeds from the Gratitude grant for PES to purchase a new projector and sound system for the gym.

“The Kellogg Elks appreciates the opportunity to partner with PES,” Young said.

This is the fourth year Kellogg Elks has been able to secure a Beacon grant to benefit the Silver Valley Snak Pak program, which provides essential food to food-insecure school-aged children. “This year’s donation was $4,000, bringing the past three years of cash contributions to $13,000.“

During October, the Kellogg Elks lodge members helped support local schools by participating in National Red Ribbon Week as part of the Elks National Drug Awareness Program.

“Lodge members recently stuffed over 400 bags containing informational literature, pencils, rulers and coloring books. The bags were delivered to students at Pinehurst Elementary School, Canyon Elementary School and Kellogg Middle School.”

The Elks National Drug Awareness Program strives to teach all children and parents about the dangers of illegal drug use and prevent the abuse of legalized and prescription drugs. Every year, the Elks Drug Awareness Program hands out more than seven million pieces of anti-drug literature to parents, teachers and kids. In addition, the Elks have recently teamed up with Marvel Comic Books to produce a book featuring Marvel superheroes and Elroy the Elk in a battle against underage drinking.

Most recently, members of the Kellogg Elks purchased and delivered dictionaries to Pinehurst Elementary School, Christian Academy and Canyon Elementary Schools as part of the nationwide Dictionary Project. “Members of the Kellogg Elks were enthused to support this wonderful literacy project and support youth in our local grade schools.”

For questions, suggestions or comments regarding the Elks Drug Awareness Program, Kellogg Elks Grant programs or general information contact Carol Young at 208-682-4595.