MEDIA ALERT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELKS ELEVATING AMERICA FOR 147 YEARS

ELKS WERE FOUNDED ON FEBRUARY 16, 1868

Chicago, IL – Local Elks Lodges throughout the United States and in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal will be celebrating 147 years of community service on January 16, 2015.

Last year alone, the Elks donated approximately $320 million in cash, gifts and time to make our communities better places to live. The Elks are one of the premier patriotic and charitable organizations in the United States of America.

The Elks vow “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” Elk volunteers visit thousands of hospitalized Veterans each year in support of both active military forces and retired Veterans. Elks furnish food, comfort care items, therapeutic items and gifts; provide recreational activities at bases and hospitals; and, stand ready to fulfill any need when called upon. Last year alone, the value of Elks’ contributions to our nation’s heroes provided more than $33.4 million to more than 300 Veterans Administration medical centers, clinics, and state care facilities, as well as to the homeless Veterans.

Annually, the Elks award college scholarships across the nation totaling more than $4 million.

The Elks Community Investment Program awards more than $8 million towards enriching our communities.

There are nearly 2,000 Elks Lodges across the country with a total membership exceeding 800,000. Elks’ members must be American citizens who are at least 21 years of age and must believe in God.

To learn more visit www.elks.org