Staff
A visit from the Grand Exalted Ruler (president) of the Elks of Canada last week has sparked the local organization to seek out new members.
Duane Felt met with the group that has been reduced to just a handful of members of late.
“Each lodge is different,” Felt remarked. “They do what they can do. . . .
“But my message is step up to the plate,” he stressed.
“We’d like to have more members,” echoed local Exalted Ruler Anthony Kadikoff.
“And both men and women are welcome.”
The Elks of Canada is a volunteer organization of men and women who promote and support community needs through their volunteer efforts in their local lodges.
Felt explained that through their national charity, they focus much of their efforts toward hearing and speech.
“We’ve been advocating for babies to be screened for hearing defects at birth,” he noted.
He said children sometimes are three years old before it is discovered that they are deaf.
Felt added the Elks have made great strides in the areas of early detection, providing equipment and services, and supporting programs in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that prevent children from living life to the fullest.
In addition to their national fund, the Fort Frances Elks 313 help local children in need.
“We will help any child under 19 if they need something,” Kadikoff noted, adding they are not limited to just speech and hearing.
Felt said the Elks of Canada is an organization with more than 14,000 men and women and almost 300 lodges across Canada.
“The Elks raise over $10 million in charitable funds that are used locally, provincially, and nationally, and volunteer over 100,000 hours,” he noted.
“I believe that everyone has a responsibility and a wish to step up and lead the way in making our communities a better place,” Felt added.
“We must be proud of our communities and step up wherever possible,” he urged.
“The Elks organization is a great place to make this happen.”
Kadikoff indicated becoming a member of the Elks makes you feel part of the community and that you are making a difference.
The qualifications to become a member of the Elks are:
•Any person of good reputation;
•A believer in a Supreme Being;
•Adherent of lawful government; and
•Having attained the age of 16.
If you are interested in joining, call Kadikoff at 274-3177.
