Port Huron, MI 343

Port Huron, MI Lodge No. 343

Port Huron Elks Lodge 343 was established in 1896. We have been at our present location at 3292 Beach Road in Port Huron, Michigan since 1972. Our Lodge Temple was originally located on the corner of Military & Pine in downtown Port Huron. Our Elks Lodge sits atop a hill on 160 acres overlooking a beautifully maintained 18-hole championship golf course, with a beautiful Banquet facility and Social Quarters. The regular meetings of this Lodge shall be held on the second and fourth Monday of each month from April through October, except in the months of July and August, in which the Lodge shall meet on the second Monday only. During the winter months of November through March, the regular Lodge meeting nights shall be on the second and fourth Wednesdays, except for the month of December in which the Lodge shall meet on the second Wednesday only. If a regular meeting falls on a holiday, that meeting shall be held on the same day of the week during the following week.

Port Huron Elks Lodge 343 Charter was signed on Monday, April 20, 1896 (a leap year) and on Tuesday, April 28, 1896, Lodge 343 held its first meeting and was organized. Our National Fraternal order of Elks originated on Sunday, February 16, 1868 (also a leap year) and together we proudly celebrate over 155 years of our National Order of caring, sharing, and patriotic service to our country.

Directions from I-94/I-69 Water Street exit: North to West Water St., West to Beach Rd, then turn right and go North a short distant. Lodge on right. Port Huron MI.

We are:
A fraternal order with nearly a million members, a network of more than 2,100 lodges in communities all over the country, and over 155 years of history. A generous charitable foundation that each year gives millions in scholarships, an inspiration to youth, a friend to Veterans, and charitable to those in need.

Our Mission:
To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.

Origin:
The Elks organization was founded in New York City on February 16, 1868, under the name "Jolly Corks" by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. In ensuing years, membership expanded to many other professions.

Purposes:
This Fraternal Order was founded "To promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship".

Membership:
The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity. Proposal for membership in the Order is only by invitation of a member in good standing. To be accepted as a member, one must be an American citizen, believe in a God, be of good moral character, and be at least 21 years of old.

What We Do:
The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting physically handicapped children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, Veterans' works, a national "Hoop Shoot" free-throw contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs. The youth of our country have always been important to the Order. It is for this reason the Elks Drug Awareness Education Program was launched to warn primary grade students and their parents of the dangers in drug use. Additionally, every lodge observes June 14th as Flag Day, a tradition which the Elks began in 1907 and was later adopted by the Congress as an official observance.