Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life. The Legacy of Virginia Beach Elks Lodge, BPOE #2268
Instituted 9 August 1962 in a ceremony at the Alan B Sheppard Convention Center “The Dome”, reception held at the Cavalier Hotel, a record 241 Virginia Beach Citizens were initiated into the new lodge that day. Acquired the Shoreham Hotel, March 1963, 1805 Atlantic Avenue, for $45,000 and established our formal lodge facility on the Ocean Front. Circa 1967, Beach Front Improvements required lodge to acquire an existing commercial property at 1281 Laskin Road for a new lodge facility.
1968 Lodge Trustees establish a budget which ensures that over half of all proceeds go to Virginia Beach charities. Again in 1970, city improvements and financial issues forced lodge to sell property and lease facilities at 3255 Virginia Beach Blvd. August 1971 awards it first scholarship to a Virginia Beach High School student. In 1984, Virginia Beach Blvd widening efforts dictated the lodge once again be relocated to its current leased facility at 113 S First Colonial Rd # 134, Virginia Beach, VA. In 1998, the Lodge receives an inheritance which rejuvenates the membership to once again pursue a permanent facility in Virginia Beach; they use those funds to establish an aggressive investment growth plan with Morgan Stanley.
1999, Lodge establishes a restricted Charities account with the focus on giving back to local charities, annual contributions estimated at $15,000. Notable contributions include donating bicycles to support the Virginia Beach Police Department transition to bicycles for oceanfront patrols, Alcohol and Drug Free Grad Parties for Virginia Beach High Schools, the Vets House, the Dictionary Project and grammar school weekly reader programs, sending needy children to summer camp, and providing disaster relief and financial assistance to displaced/homeless citizens. The 2000 thru 2002 stock market crash wipes out over 50% of the lodge’s building fund, but the lodge continued to focus on helping others by giving over $19,000 in donations to local charities in those same years. In 2010, the lodge trustees established a goal to acquire a new facility by 2012 and focus efforts on growing the building funds back to pre-2000 levels. In 2016, the building fund assisted the members in purchasing the current establishment and members are currently building up the fund for future generations. In 2015, for Elk year 2014-2015, Virginia Beach placed second in the Grand Lodge All American Contest under Exalted Ruler Joel Marquez. The Grand Lodge All American Award signifies your lodge is the best of the best and is the highest honor in Elkdom. The winner of the contest, which recognizes Lodges that have best administered Elks Programs throughout the year, is determined by a score that counts participation in 40 activities. Each activity has a designated value between 5 and 100 points. Activities include observing Flag Day services, sponsoring a new Lodge, increasing membership, and participating in Elks programs such as Antlers, Hoop Shoot, and the Americanism Essay Contest. In 2016, for Elk Year 2015-2016, Virginia Beach 2268 was awarded First Place and awarded Grand Lodge All American under Exalted Ruler Karyn Swenor.
