Local Activities
Regional Activities
The Elks National Foundation
- Scholarships
The Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.3 million in college scholarships each year to graduating high school seniors.
- National Veterans Commission
In each of the 172 VA Medical Centers there is an Elk committee at work. Literally, thousands of Elks and their families give generously of their time, energy and resources so that the lives of our ill and aging veterans will be enhanced. Hundreds of thousands of hours and like numbers of dollars are devoted to programs that are designed to keep us true to our pledge: "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them." And now we've broadened our program to include outpatients and veterans who are homeless.
- Drug Awareness
Since its inception in 1983, the Elks Drug Awareness Program has worked to prevent drug use by our youth through education. The Elks recognize that they are not experts in the field of drug education. However, we do have the resources -- in dollars, facilities and volunteers -- to work with the experts to ensure that young people know the facts about drugs.
- The Elks National Hoop Shoot
The Elks National "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Program is open to all boys and girls, ages 8 through 13. All public and private schools within the jurisdiction of the local Elk Lodge are invited to participate in the Elks National "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Contest. Depending on interest, many school districts may participate in the Lodge contest.
The six Lodge Champions, one boy and one girl in each age-group, will advance to a District contest. A typical District contest may have from five to 12 lodge entries in each category and age-group. The six finalists in each District contest will advance to the State finals. The State Champions will compete at a Regional contest to determine the contestants that will compete at the National Finals. Your local "Hoop Shoot" Director can tell you the number of lodges and districts in your state and the states that make up your region.
The Elks' nationwide sanctioned program gives youngsters an opportunity for spirited competition, fine relationships with their peers, and travel statewide, regionally and nationally at minimal expense to their parents or school. The parents of finalists at the state, regional and national levels attend the competition as guests of the Elks.
- The Elks National Home
Early in the twentieth century, many Elks felt that the Order should provide a home for aged members. After temporarily using a former hotel in Bedford City, Virginia, the Elks erected a new building in 1916. The Elks National Home is a classic structure on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. It provides a home for Elks where they live in complete freedom and personal dignity.