About the Order

Overview

What You Should Know about the Elks Do you know the value of our charitable contributions last year? Or how many kids paticipated in the "Hoop Shoot"? Or how many veterans we adopted? Read this and you will.

Charity and Patriotism long have been hallmarks of the Elks.

Elks National Foundation Helps Thousands Yearly The "Great Heart of Elkdom" beat to the tune of $11.8 million last year.

Background

Background Information about the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Background Information, short version A condensed backgrounder about the Elks.

How It All Began A brief history of the Elks.

Youth Programs

Elks and Youth Work The Elks have alway invested a lot of time and energy in the future of this country.

Drug Education The Elks have had an active Drug Awareness Program since 1983.

Elks "Hoop Shoot" More than three million kids participate annually in the largest coeducational sports program in the country.

Veterans Service

Elks and the Nation's Defense From World War I to Desert Storm, the Elks have always answered the nation's call.

The Elks' Commitment to Veterans The Order has pledged to never forget the nation's hospitalized veterans.

The Elks National Veterans Memorial in Lincoln Park, Chicago, stands a perpetual reminder of our devotion to those who gave their lives so that we may be free.

Patriotism

Elks and Americanism The Order has always prided itself on its patriotism.

Flag Day was first recognized by the Elks.

Trivia

Why not "Buffaloes" Back in 1868 when the Order formed, we were a vote away from being called the Buffaloes.

Celebrity Elks We've counted presidents, actors and ballplayers among our members.

State Elks Associations The first ones formed illegally, but now the state Elks associations are an integral component of the Order's service to others.

More Information

So You Want to Join the Elks If you want to help us help others, read this.

So You Want to Be Reinstated It's very easy for former members to return to the fold.

Online Lodge Directory For more information about the Elks, contact your local Lodge.

Meet our Grand Exalted Ruler C. Valentine Bates, National Leader of the BPO Elks, 1998-99.