NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationAugusta Elks Lodge ENF Team Visit
The Augusta Elks Lodge #964 had the honor of welcoming Meaghan Morris and Debbie Doles from the Elks National Foundation !!
While visiting Maine for the Elks Scholar Spring Service Trip, Meaghan and Debbie took the opportunity to visit our Lodge and learn more about The Elks Edge program, funded by the ENF Impact Grant. Patty Ward and her dedicated committee have been working closely with the Augusta Teen Center and Cony Alternative Ed Program to empower teens through mentorship, job skills training, community-based learning, and hands-on service projects.
Their day began with a visit to the Cony High School Alternative Education classroom, where students and teachers shared their projects—created with support from the Edge Program. This was followed by a delicious and fun lunch at the Woodshed in Manchester. Afterward, Meaghan and Debbie visited the Augusta Teen Center, where they saw the kids in action—making hygiene kits (containing body wash, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste for teens when needed) and preparing pizzas in the kitchen with our Elks mentors!
Back at the Lodge, they toured our facilities and enjoyed a social hour with our members. Thank you so much for visiting Meaghan and Debbie!
Portland Lodge 188 Helps Feed the Hungry
Portland Lodge 188 helped fulfill a need in the community by providing recyclable grocery bags filled with non-perishable food items to Northern Light Mercy Hospital, the Appletree Village Senior Housing and the Portland Veterans Center. 200 bags were filled on Sunday, March 21 by members of the lodge as well as twelve ENF scholars visiting with their Scholar Service trip.
The kids were treated to breakfast, and then put to work alongside our lodge members. In no time at all, the 200 bags were filled and loaded into vehicles that would make the delivery of the bags.
Members of Lodge 188 donated close to $1,000 worth of food items and the remaining food items as well as the bags, were purchased with funds from the Gratitude Grant the lodge received from ENF.
This was a wonderful show of support and collaboration with the Lodge’s Activity Committee, Veteran Committee, and ENF Scholars.
More Elks Support to Maine Vets
The Augusta Elks #964 Veterans Committee held a Bowl-a-Thon at Interstate Bowling. There were over twenty-five participants, and everyone had a wonderful time bowling while raising a total of $3,200 for Maine Veterans in Need (MVN).
MVN is a non-profit that is dedicated to assisting veterans who are facing hardship. The organization advocates for veterans experiencing a crisis or emergency and works proactively to help prevent veteran homelessness. MVN addresses the gaps left by government programs, especially when urgent needs arise or when assistance is required outside of official business hours.
MVN operates without government funding, relying solely on donations and fundraising efforts, through events such as this Bowl-a-Thon organized by the Augusta Elks #964 Veterans Committee.
Some of the services provided include
- Food cards and gas cards for immediate necessities
- Short-term hotel stays for veterans when other agencies are unavailable
- Phone cards and Trac phones to ensure reliable communication
- Help with enrollment in the VA Healthcare system
- Assistance with phone payments to prevent service disconnection
- Support for car payments to prevent repossession
- Provision of home heating fuel during critical times
To learn more about MVN and their important work, please visit their website at https://maineveteransinneed.
Augusta Elks Veterans Committee Donation
The Augusta Elks Veterans Committee made a donation of $500 in Irving gas cards (twenty $25 gift cards) to Voluntary Services at Togus VA. These gas cards are handed out to Veterans in need to assist them with travel costs to and from their medical appointments. Pictured is Ken Gotreau, Exalted Ruler of the Augusta Elks #964 donating the gift cards to Sarah Goodman, Acting Chief of Voluntary Services at Togus VA. “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”
ENF Money Out in the Mid-Coast
For the second year in a row, the Bath Elks collaborated with the Phippsburg Sportsmen’s Association through an event geared to foster children’s enjoyment of Maine’s Outdoor Heritage.
Joining numerous other nearby businesses and individuals in supporting this event, the Elks’ donation went to provide gloves to gloves and foot warmers, socks, derby & raffle prizes and food.