Staying drug free is the way to be, and the way to fun. Florida elementary school students now have Stuart-Jensen, Fla., Lodge No. 1870 to thank for that valuable lesson. The Lodge used a Promise Grant for a series of Drug Awareness events at local schools. The Lodge has been involved with these events for 10 years! Thanks to the Promise Grant, the Lodge has been able to expand this program to reach a total of four schools.

Members from Stuart-Jensen Lodge visited schools during P.E. and assembly, bringing Elroy along with them to spread the word about staying drug-free. The Elks came armed with bags of drug awareness materials for the students. Elroy and the Elks participated in the fun activities that teach kids the merits of a drug-free life.

Elks noticed the tremendous funding cuts to extra-curricular programming in their school systems, and were able to work with area schools to identify the need for this program. With this year’s Promise Grant funds, the Lodge reached more students than ever before.

“Not only do the schools welcome us; we have also gained membership from our programs!" says Susan Simonelli, CIP Project Manager "Year after year we have used our Promise Grant funds for these events, and we have become a staple every year at these schools.”

Elks are committed to America’s future. To build the character and competence of local youth, the Elks National Foundation awards $2,000 Promise Grants to the first 500 Lodges that pledge to host an eligible youth event. New in 2015-16, Promise Grants will be worth $2,500 each. To find out more about Promise Grants and the Community Investments Program, visit www.elks.org/enf/community.