Have you ever wondered, while driving on Manchester Boulevard, or while on a stroll, what really happens in the Westchester Elks Lodge at 8025 W. Manchester Blvd., Playa Del Rey? You’ve seen the American Flag flying at the side of the structure, and you’ve seen through the front windows displays of various historical accolades. You’ve also seen a lot of activity in the back of the building with me
mbers and guests entering and exiting the Lodge from the private parking lot at all times day or night. Well, here is a brief synopsis of who we are and what we’re doing. The Westchester Lodge, a chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.), is one of six Lodges forming the South Central Coast District, an entity of the California/Hawaii Elks Association. CHEA is a faction of all Lodges in the States of California and Hawaii and represents these Lodges by Districts to the top level Grand Lodge, the governing body. As do all other State factions nationally, to include Guam, (look up other places). The Westchester Lodge is governed by an appointed Exalted Ruler who has Officers and Trustees who assist with the operations of the Lodge. There are Chairpersons to organize various mandatory philanthropic endeavors and special events. Members are encouraged to attend Business Meetings, volunteer for fundraisers and community events, and utilize the Lodge for their enjoyment and fellowship. The Westchester Lodge was established in 1957 and is currently 300+ members strong. Some of our annual events are a Super Bowl Party, Major Project wine tasting dinner which raises money for disabled children, Mother’s Day Brunch, Memorial Day Services, 4th of July Parade and BBQ, Car Show and Elks Chili Cook Off, Octoberfest Party, Halloween Party, Charity Ball, youth athletic programs such as HOOP shoot, scholarships, veteran’s service, drug awareness, scholarships for youth, veterans programs, etc. We believe in helping others and strive to provide charitable services that help build a stronger community. Our Lodge is also available as a rental for your personal and/or community events. For information on our local Lodge go to www.westchesterelks2050.org. For additional information, go to www.elks.org. By reading the following, you will get a better understanding of what it is to become an Elk:
We are...
• A fraternal order with nearly a million members and a 141-year history.
• A network of more than 2,000 lodges in communities all over the country.
• A generous charitable foundation that each year gives millions in scholarships, an inspiration to youth, a friend to veterans and more. What We Do
• The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting physically handicapped children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans' works, a national "Hoop Shoot" free-throw contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs. Our Mission
• To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
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Membership
• The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity. Proposal for membership in the Order is only by invitation of a member in good standing. To be accepted as a member, one must be an American citizen, believe in God, be of good moral character and be at least 21 years old. Where it began
The Elks organization was founded in New York City on February 16, 1868 under the name “Jolly Corks” by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. These were all souls whose livelihood came from the wildly fluctuating world of show business, with occasional well-paying bookings sprinkled over lean, dismal, stretches of near- poverty and late rents. This experience gave them a deep understanding and compassion for those in distress, and crystallized the benevolence of the group. They established a continuing collection in support of misfortunes that would befall members of the group. In the process, they formed one of the first performers’ protective associations in America. The name of Elk was chosen because the elk is “distinguished by its fleetness of foot and timorous of wrongdoing”. The idea of an animal that lived in peace, but would fight to defend its rights and protect the weak and helpless, appealed strongly to the group. The elk, with its spreading antlers of protection, was not only a beautiful animal, but it seemed to symbolize the ideas and values this group most wanted to stand for and perpetuate. During World War I the Elks gave first consideration to the sick and wounded on European battlefields. In 1917, a resolution was adopted by a rising vote that the sum of one million dollars be appropriated by the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, to be known as “The War Relief Fund”. The Elks support to our military has continued on by assisting the armed forces in recruiting and training troops for Aviation Cadet Programs. Veteran Services – The motto of the Elks National Veterans Service Commission is “so long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” Each year Elks volunteer over 1 million hours, make $10 million in cash and non-cash donations to provide comfort, care and other enhancements to the lives of our nation’s heroes. Community Support – Elks are community. No matter where you go in the country, an Elks Lodge is right around the corner. With more than 900,000 members and 2,000 Lodges nationwide. Charity – the value of the Elk’s charitable works since their inception in 1868 is more than $4 billion. Many programs are funded in part by the Elks National Foundation (ENF). The foundation annually disburses more than $19 million in support of youth athletic programs, scholarships, veteran’s service, drug awareness, state charitable projects and other philanthropic programs. Each state association has its own “Major Project”. Millions of dollars are raised by Elks of California to treat victims of Cerebral Palsy. Vehicles are fitted out with therapy equipment and nurses who go into the back country, mountains and deserts to give therapy and hope to children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to obtain treatment. California Elks believe that “a man never stands so straight as when he stoops to help a crippled child”.
