The event started in 2000 when PER Elmer Berry was speaking with Lodge member Guy Desjardins about the Maine Elks Association State Major Project, the Maine Children's Cancer Program. The Lodge had supported the program financially for years, but members wanted to reach out to the children directly. Since Desjardins owns a limousine service and Berry annually creates an award-winning lights display at his home, the idea matched their resources perfectly.
"It's a special night for the entire family," says Berry. "It's a way for our Lodge to help people and let the community know what the Elks are all about."
Making a List, Checking it Twice Berry and his daughter Jackielynn Farrell, PER, work with a team of 10 to 12 volunteers to organize the event. The MCCP provides Berry with names of patients in the area, informs him of any special needs, and helps the team develop an appropriate menu to suit dietary restrictions. Lodge members cook and serve for the evening, and donate toys for presents.
Five families and 18 children attended last year's party. Berry makes sure all children in the families receive gifts, and even asks for their ages ahead of time to ensure members purchase age-appropriate toys. No matter how extended the family, there's room for everyone in the limos.
"We decided long ago that anything we do will be for the whole family," says Berry. "Having a child with cancer affects everyone." After the families file into the limos, they ride to a nearby house where they sip on hot chocolate or cider. At the same time, Berry and two other Lodge members rush to his home, where Berry jumps into his Santa suit. The children arrive at his place to find 1,500 lights shining before them. The limo drivers share stories of children whose eyes sparkle brighter than the displays as they "ooh" and "ahh."
"The only reason I decorate my house is for the kids," says Berry. "It's a joy to see the kids happy, and the families love it. We don't have to follow up with the families because they follow up with us. We receive lots of nice cards from them."
Last year, to help off set the cost of the event, the Lodge applied for an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The Gratitude Grant is available through the Foundation's Community Investments Program, which provides grants to Lodges for a charitable project. Lodge Secretary Wayne Cotterly heard about the grant opportunity when the Lodge became eligible after reaching the GER's $4.00 goal in per-member giving to the ENF.
"Since the party is something we do for the community, I thought it would be a good fit," says Cotterly.
Off-Season Support The Lodge plans to host the party again this year and apply for an ENF Gratitude Grant to help fund it. When it's not the holiday season, the Lodge stays busy hosting fundraisers for MCCP and assisting with Youth Fest.
Cotterly founded Youth Fest, which receives funding from the Maine Elks Association and support from every Lodge in the state. At the festival, patients from MCCP and other children in need participate in Hoop Shoot, pony rides, carnival games, treasure hunts, magic shows and more. Though the event, which is held annually in August, takes place far away from the North Pole, it has something in common with the Lewiston Elks holiday party.
"The kids and the families have a great time," says Cotterly about the party. "You can't get more successful than that."
The Maine Children's Cancer Program provides integrated, comprehensive, clinical research-based medical care and psychosocial and practical support services to infants, children and adolescents with cancer from throughout the state of Maine. In 2006-07, The Elks National Foundation will distribute $6.53 million to State Elks Associations to fund projects like the Maine Children's Cancer Program and other charitable endeavors. For more information, visit www.elks.org/enf/yourstate.cfm. The Foundation will distribute $525,000 in Community Investments Program grants to Lodges. To find out if your Lodge is eligible, visit www.elks.org/enf/community.
Photo of family inside limo courtesy of Sun Journal photographer Doug Van Reeth. Derek Hemond, 4, of Minot, who was diagnosed with leukemia, took in a Christmas lights tour from inside the limousine provided by the Lewiston Elks Lodge.