As Tom Hanks sat in Chippewa Square, playing the title character of 1995 Best Picture winner “Forrest Gump”, he said the now-ubiquitous line, “My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”

In early January, 19 Elks scholars traveled to Savannah for the Winter Elks Scholar Service Trip. The scholars didn’t quite know what they’d be getting into. They had never met one another, and some had never served outside their own community. Although they came from different backgrounds, they went together perfectly—much like a box of chocolates.

The scholars began at Emmaus House, a nonprofit dedicated to providing meals to individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. In 2024 alone, they served nearly 38,000 hot meals to the community. Food isn’t their only focus, though: Emmaus House also offers hot showers, laundry services, and a clothing closet.

During the scholars’ service, they organized clothing donations, focusing on cold weather items. It may not have been the fanciest looking chocolate in the proverbial box, but it taught the scholars that every service opportunity is helpful.

“A highlight of my experience was seeing how hands-on service can make such a large impact on people's lives,” says Jack Koesters, a 2024 Legacy scholar sponsored by Mercer County, Ohio, Lodge No. 2170. “Being able to work alongside other scholars while interacting with the local community and its organizations helped me better understand the challenges people face throughout their daily lives, and how even small efforts can make a real difference in their lives.”

The second day in Savannah was jam-packed with even more service. The scholars began the morning by splitting into groups, which would each serve at a different nonprofit in the same center. As they split up, the scholars were unsure of exactly what their service would look like, but they were sure that whatever job they picked would be a sweet and unique surprise.

One of the organizations was Grow Initiative GA, a nonprofit dedicated to growing thriving and resilient communities through health and education initiatives. The scholars helped further their mission by organizing a closet full of essential items, which will be given to local families.

“I was astounded by the passion and care that the people at Grow Initiative GA have for serving the community,” says Lezli Magana Contreras, a 2024 Most Valuable Student scholar sponsored by North Las Vegas, Nev., Lodge No. 2353.

The other group of scholars served with Neighbors Feeding Neighbors by unloading several trucks full of donations. This nonprofit offers free monthly food markets to those in need of assistance in the form of meats, seasonal fresh vegetables, fruit, milk, juice and pantry items.

“With Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, I learned about the impact my indirect service could have,” says Jack. “I didn't spend my time handing out food, building homes, or even directly interacting with volunteers; rather, my peers and I spent hours cleaning and organizing a truck.”

Though the morning was busy, the scholars still weren’t done. In the afternoon, they served with Second Harvest of Coastal Savannah, a nonprofit that works diligently to feed children, senior citizens, low-income families, and people with disabilities who face hunger. In 2024, the nonprofit distributed more than 20 million meals around the area. Distributing that many meals means the organization must first sort through a mountain of donations, which was a task the scholars were happy to help with.

Elks Scholar Service Trips are focused on serving the community, but they also put a heavy emphasis on building relationships. For many of the scholars, this was their first time meeting other members of the #ElksFamily. As they worked side by side to help Savannah, they grew closer to each other and, by the end, built friendships that will last far beyond the service trip.

“To me, being a part of the #ElksFamily means I can make connections wherever I go—basically a home away from home,” says Aryan Rauniyar, a 2025 Most Valuable Student scholar sponsored by Phoenix West, Ariz., Lodge No. 2729. “I had a wonderful time with these people who I’ve never met in my life and wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet if it wasn’t for my Elks National Foundation scholarship.”

Between service opportunities, the scholars visited local favorites. They learned about Savannah’s history at the Telfair Museums; tested their problem-solving abilities at an escape room; had dessert at one of the most famous ice cream parlors in the country, Leopold’s Ice Cream; and visited the iconic Forsyth Park.

“I made connections that I absolutely never expected, and I am so grateful to have met and bonded with the people I did,” says Olivia Schweinhagen, a 2022 Legacy scholar sponsored by Napolean, Ohio, Lodge No. 929. “I wouldn't trade those connections for anything.”

The final day of the trip began at Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless, a nonprofit dedicated to developing sustainable community practices to reduce and end homelessness. They annually assist more than 4,000 individuals, youths, and families, and they are making a meaningful impact in the community through their housing initiatives and street outreach team.

After the organization led an educational discussion about homelessness, the scholars put their skills to use by assembling cold-weather kits, which will be distributed out to members of the community.

The scholars spent their final night in Savannah learning even more about the #ElksFamily. They visited Savannah, Ga., Lodge No. 183 to play games, share a meal, and talk with Lodge members. Through intense matches of Scrabble and Uno, the scholars grew a greater appreciation for each other and their gracious hosts.

“This service trip showed me what the Elks family is all about,” says Lezli. “It was so comforting to meet individuals with the same passion for service. I was not expecting to make so many connections and was really grateful for the strong bonds we formed!”

As Tom Hanks said, many moments in life can feel as unpredictable as choosing a random flavor of chocolate. On Elks Scholar Service Trips, however, you know exactly what you’re going to get: meaningful service experiences, lifelong friendships, and an #ElksFamily that is always there for you.

The Elks National Foundation offers three Elks Scholar Service Trips annually. These trips provide scholars the opportunity to learn about societal issues, serve those in need in the name of the Elks, and connect with their #ElksFamily from across the country. For more information about the trips, visit enf.elks.org/ScholarServiceTrips.