The Elks National Foundation is the engine behind the Elks' charitable work. The interest earned on the invested principle of the foundation supports our many charitable and community based programs. This section lists all of our charitable and community programs.
How is the Elks National Foundation Helping YOUR State?
Each year, the Elks National Foundation strives to grant more money back to each state than it received from that state in donations. These grants help fund the state Elks associations' major charitable projects, which include aid for people with disabilities, cancer research, children's hospitals, youth camps, and safe havens for abused families. The state associations also use these grants to fund their "Hoop Shoot," Soccer Shoot, Drug Awareness, and scholarship programs, as well as other charitable and philanthropic projects.
This year, the Elks National Foundation will grant $7.22 million to the state Elks associations. To learn how ENF is helping your state go to ENF State Page and check the states for your state.
The Elks Drug Awareness Program distributes literature and organizes events to make kids and their parents aware of the dangers posed by alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. Try the program's Drug Awareness quiz and test your knowledge!
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks are committed to eliminating the use and abuse of illegal drugs by all members of society and believe that in order to ensure a bright future for our country, it is essential that our children be raised in a drug-free environment.
The yearly Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program is open to all boys and girls ages 8 through 13. The contest starts at the lodge level and advances through district, state and regional contests before the national finals in the spring.
The Hoop Shoot provides a character-building, competitive experience for all kids. Through each of the levels of competition, kids support one another while learning from their unique strengths. Contestants regard meeting new friends as one of the top benefits of participating in the Hoop Shoot.
Since the early days of Elkdom, the National Veterans Service Commission has patriotically served those Elks who have fought for our great nation.
Read more about how the elks have contributed to the support of our military veterans throughout our history by clicking on the "a concise History" link below.
In addition to Hoop Shoot, other youth-oriented activities sponsored by the Elks include the Soccer Shoot, the Antlers program, the yearly Americanism essay contest and more.
During the last three years, Illinois Elks lodges have brought products and assembled more than 2,500 care packages for the brave men and women overseas. The Illinois State Elks Association has also paid over $20,000 in postage to ship these packages. The IEA will continue this effort this year during their upcoming State meeting in January of 2010.
Illinois Elks will again pack treats and other products for Illinois Guard and Reserve Units in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each Lodge is asked to bring a specific quantity of a specific item. During the Mid-Winter State meeting, Elks volunteers sort and assemble the packages for our troops. The effort starts early in the morning and continues all day until completion. The caring attitude exhibited by the members, spouses, children, and significant others is very heartwarming. It is not uncommon to see members working between meetings or all day, if their time permits.
This project was initiated by Paul Ronzani, Past State President (2005-2006) and has been brought forward by each State President since its inception.
This is another example of how much the Elks of Illinois support their country and future veterans.
Programs
