Elks Lodge gives grant to D.A.R.E. program

The Elks Lodge #1350 presented the Westlake D.A.R.E. program with a $2,000 grant on July 25. Pictured, from left: Ken Ermlich, Jim Basey, Maria Gregg, Stan Soja, Keith Duffy, Mayor Dennis Clough, Officer Keenan Cook, Police Chief Richard Walling, D.A.R.E. Officer Ken Delfing, Julie Linder and Rick Grane. Photo by Tara Wendell

The Lakewood Elks #1350, as part of the national organization The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), was established in Lakewood in 1918. We moved to Westlake 10 years ago and now proudly call the lodge on Center Ridge our permanent home. The Elks were established in 1868 by a group of men hoping to make a difference in their community.

More than 140 years later the impact that this organization has had extends to over one million men and women members and in excess of 2,000 communities across this great nation. The Elks National Foundation (ENF) is the charitable arm of our organization.

The mission of the ENF is to help Elks build stronger communities. We fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work. We provide tomorrow's leaders, our youth, with a healthy beginning; honor the Elks' pledge to never forget our veterans; help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives; and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.

Over the last two years, one of the ENF projects, our annual soccer shoot, has grown into a huge success in the Westlake area. The presence of our Drug Awareness Trailer at the event has encourage a fast growing relationship between the Lakewood Elks #1350 and the Westlake  D.A.R.E. program.

It seemed fitting to award this year’s $2,000 Gratitude Grant to that program. This was made possible with the assistance of Stan Soja, our District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler (aka, district president), as well as Elks member and Westlake auxiliary police officer Rick Grane and ENF chair Julie Linder. This is hopefully just the start of a very successful and productive relationship between the Elks #1350 and the Westlake D.A.R.E. program.

More Information about the Elks and The Elks National Foundation can be found at www.elks.org.

Ken Ermlich is a Past Exalted Ruler of the Lakewood Elks #1350 in Westlake.