The Wyoming Elks State Trust was established in 1989 by the Wyoming Elks Association as a benevolent trust for the furtherance of charitable, educational and benevolent purposes in Wyoming.
In order to help fund the State Major Project - Needy Youth Program, a perpetual fund was envisioned which would be set up in the same manner as the Elks National Foundation inasmuch as only the interest from the fund would be spent and the principal would always remain invested.
Richard Oberosler became the first Chairman in 1989 and donated the first $1000.00, becoming the first Founder.
Richard Oberosler is generally considered to be the father of W.E.S.T.
Individual donations are the heart of the W.E.S.T. program and make up the greatest percentage of the total donations.
The I.R.S. recognizes all donations to W.E.S.T. as tax deductible.
Individuals can become a Participating Member of W.E.S.T.
by making a gift of $10 to $99. They will receive a letter from the Secretary/Treasurer of the Wyoming Elks Association acknowledging their gift. The lodge W.E.S.T. Chairman will receive a pin and certificate for presentation to that individual.
Larger donations are similarly recognized with the Sponsor level at $100.00, Founder level at $1000.00, Fellow level at $5000.00, Patron level at $10000.00, Builder level at $25000.00 and Summa Endower level at $50000.00. All gifts are accumulative, allowing a donor to move from one level to the next.
Additionally there is a Blue Envelope Memorial Fund for those wishing to contribute Memorials to W.E.S.T. in the name of a loved one.
Jim Kremers is the local W.E.S.T. Chairman and will be happy to assist you. Donations to W.E.S.T. can be mailed
to the lodge at P.O. Box 897, Lusk, WY 82225 or bring them to the lodge. Lusk Lodge has a proud tradition of being one of the leading lodges in the state in the W.E.S.T. program.
When my day is done
My life is through,
This gift of love
I leave to you.
To quell the hunger,
Suffering and pain
Of Little Children
From Mountain to Plain
This is my Song you see,
My Epitaph,
My Legacy