A hand up for youth

Frontiersman

One of the oldest fraternal organizations is looking toward the future.

This week, Elks from around Alaska and the Pacific Northwest were in Palmer for the 58th annual state convention, and many agreed that youth programs supported by the Elks are vitally important in the community.

&#8220You can tell there is a big emphasis on scholarship programs here, and that's good for any community,” said Frank Garland, a Washington resident who has been a past national exalted ruler. &#8220You guys are doing good things for the youth.”

Roger True, another Washington resident who has also been a past national exalted ruler, said that by exposing youth to the Elks organization through scholarship and athletic programs, they're more likely to become Elks in the future, furthering a cycle of community involvement.

&#8220There's a real resurgence in younger members. Young people are starting to get more involved with the Elks,” True said. &#8220The Elks are a safe haven for families. Around the country, most of the lodges are nonsmoking, and members know they can bring their families.”

Locally, the same holds true, said James Hastings, the exalted ruler.

&#8220We've got a lot of family-oriented programs, and we put a big emphasis on youth programs,” Hastings said. &#8220People can come out and use our dock, use our boat launch, enjoy the deck and the lodge, and see that we're about helping our community, and helping families.”

The state convention was held at the Palmer lodge, located on the banks of Finger Lake just off Bogard Road, for the first time since the early 1960s, said James Hastings, the exalted ruler for Palmer. More than 150 Elks showed up for the convention, with about a quarter of them from the Valley. The Elks have 17 lodges throughout Alaska, all of which sent members to the state convention. At least 10 couples came from Washington, with more Elks from Oregon and Idaho also participating.

Throughout the week, the lodge's parking lot was overtaken by motorhomes and other RVs, as Elks shared each other's company and socialized. During the week-long convention, Elks received training, elected officers and talked about various programs. It wasn't all business, however, as Hobo Jim and Ken Peltier played for the group, and tours were conducted.

&#8220I think the convention charges people up, renews that sense of camaraderie,” said Joe Pendergrass, president of the Palmer lodge. &#8220You can take that enthusiasm back to your community.”

Hastings said the success of the state convention wouldn't have been possible without the support of the community.

&#8220Individuals, organizations and businesses should all be thanked for the support they've given us,” Hastings said. &#8220They really stepped up for us.”

Locally, youth programs are a major focus.

The Palmer Elks recently gave away $7,000 in scholarships, and its annual hoop shoot and soccer shoot events are popular.

Nationally, $2 million in earnings from a trust fund are used to provide scholarships, making the Elks' scholarship program the largest among fraternal organization in the world.

The Alaska State Elks Camp is located just outside of Sutton, and that's been a big point of emphasis locally.

&#8220We get kids in there for a week, for free, and give them a chance to have fun at summer camp,” Pendergrass said.

&#8220They've got arts and crafts, canoeing, just about everything. We can have around 100 campers in there at any given time,” Hastings said. &#8220The counselors are great. It's a creative team-building camp.”

For more information, interested people can visit www.alaskastateelks.org.