Apopka Elks Lodge turns 50!

Celebrating its 50th Year with a community open house

The Apopka Elks Lodge, which first opened its doors 50 years ago, is set to welcome the greater Apopka community on August 3rd from 2 till 4 pm. At the event they will be giving away prizes, serving free food, music, and talking about all the ways the Elks Lodge has given back to the community these past 50 years. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

The Apopka Elks Lodge was founded in 1969. It currently has over 200 members and is a critical asset of the community. From the famous Monday Night bingo, Veterans Dinners, Wing nights, and Steak nights, the Apopka Elks Lodge annually gives thousands of dollars to the community. Last year the Elks hosted veterans from the VA hospital for dinner and entertainment 8 sperate time, donated funds to support the Boy Scouts of America, Pregnancy Center, Debbie Turner Cancer Research center, Quest Inc, and more. The lodge host regular meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month.

About The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

Mission Statement

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the U.S.A.

A Fraternal Organization

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.

Download this mission statement as a shareable PDF.

We are...

• A fraternal order with hundreds of thousands of members and a 150+ year history.
• A network of nearly 2000 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.

Origin

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. In ensuing years, membership expanded to other professions.

Purposes

This Fraternal Order was founded "To promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship."

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.

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 special needs 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.

The youth of our country have always been important to the Order. It is for this reason the Elks Drug Awareness Education Program was launched to warn primary grade students and their parents of the dangers in drug use. Additionally, every lodge observes June 14th as Flag Day, a tradition which the Elks began in 1907 and was later adopted by the Congress as an official observance.