Lodge News
What is ENF?
The Elks National Foundation, or ENF, began in 1928 when our national president, Grand Exalted Ruler John F. Malley proposed that Elks find ways to do more in service to our communities. At our National Convention, delegates created the foundation by collecting $100,000 in donations. Remember, this was 1928 and that amount would translate to roughly $1.3 million today!
The whole idea behind the ENF is to better the communities we live in. ENF invests the interest earned on donations back into the cities and towns where Lodges need help. ENF grants are applied for by local Lodges and if funds are available, the Grand Lodge sends the money to the Lodge so we can serve and help those in need. Some examples of things ENF allow Elks to do would be Veterans Service, Drug Awareness, Handicapped Children and Scholarships for deserving students.
Our own Neal Martin, PER, PSVP has spearheaded a dictionary program for the past few years, funded entirely by ENF funds. Our lodge has donated literally thousands of dictionaries to elementary school children in the city of Whittier. We can only continue programs like this through donations from our members.
Another example of an ENF Funded program would be the Hoop Shoot. Here's a couple of videos that explain what a Hoop Shoot is and why it's so important:
If you are, or know of a high school senior who is planning to attend college next year? Each year the Elks help over 700 qualified students attain a higher education through scholarship programs funded by ENF:
Posted by: Whittier, CA #1258 (02/28/2015)
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