The Arizona Elks adopted the Steele Center in 1992 as a "major project". Members in lodges around the state have contributed more than $6.8 million.
On the sixth floor of the Steele Center research tower, three laboratories were underwritten by the Arizona Elks, and a charter wall lists the specific lodges and individuals who participated in that effort.
Arizona Elks Laboratories for Transplantation Research Amount raised: $275k One of the first projects the Elks undertook was supporting the building of two research labs on the sixth floor of the Steele Center. These labs house researchers who specialize in gastroenterology and nutrition.
Seed Research Awards: Amount raised: $1.2M: Seed grants allow investigators to “prime the pump” with preliminary data, which will make their research projects more attractive to State and Federal funding agencies.
Education: Amount raised: $50k: Educational fund assisted with developing the first Pediatric Integrative Medicine Conference, and supported the “Morning for Children’s Health” workshops for parents.
Arizona Elks Clinic for Children and Young Adults: Amount raised: $390k: In 2001, the Arizona Elks celebrated the grand re-opening of the newly named “Arizona Elks Clinic for Children and Young Adults,” housed on the third floor of UMC. The renovated clinic now includes separate waiting areas for sick children and well children, and more efficient space for doctors, nurses and staff.
Core Support - Amount raised: $255k: Core support funds were used for needed facilities improvements throughout the Steele Center. Funds helped repair existing equipment and purchase new equipment, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines—used in DNA cloning for sequencing and DNA-based phylogeny.
Marvin Lewis Pediatric Teaching Center - Amount raised: $130k: Marvin Lewis was a past Grand Exalted Ruler and was passionate about education and helping children. Funds were used to renovate the pediatric residency offices and create a conference room within the residency office. Upon completion of the offices, the space was named the “Marvin Lewis Pediatric Teaching Center.”
Arizona Elks Endowed Chair in Neonatology Research - Amount raised: $1.8M: (Goal: $2M) In 2003, the Arizona Elks committed to creating the “Arizona Elks Endowed Chair in Neonatology Research.” An endowed chair generates income that lasts forever. Every year, a portion of the interest is available to the Chair to support his research and provide seed funding to promising young investigators interested in neonatal research.
Toys, Blankets, Beanies and Booties - Amount raised: "Priceless": There is simply no price that can be assigned to the hundreds of blankets, beanies and booties that have been knitted by the Elks for the premature babies at UMC. Or the thousands of donated toys that have brought a smile to a sick child’s face. We are immensely grateful for these priceless gifts from the Arizona Elks lodges throughout Arizona!
The Arizona Elks Youth Camp is located 40 miles Northeast of Globe, Arizona, on Workman Creek in the Sierra Ancha Mountain Range. Take State Route 188 North from Globe/Miami for 14.5 miles to State Route 288 to Young, Arizona. Take State Route 288 for 25.5 miles to Workman Creek. The mile post at Workman Creek is 284. Take the Workman Creek USFS road 487 for 1 mile to the camp.
The members of the Arizona Elks Association and its member Lodges have spent a vast amount of time, energy and money to refurbish the camp to benefit the youth of Arizona.
For more information contact Bruce Van Den Eng, Executive Director, Arizona Elks Major Projects, Inc., PO Box 12668, Tucson, AZ 85732-2668, phone 520-326-0556, katie@azelksmp.com.
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