"I Am An Elk"
We care about kids because we care about the future.
You need look no farther than one phrase from our Initiation ritual to understand why the Elks are so involved with the youth in our communities: "The Order of Elks is distinctly American...Linking the destiny of our Order with the destiny of our Country..."
To love America is to care deeply about those who will lead her into the future, and represent the generations who will make our Country great long after we have left the stage. The committment of the Elks to its Youth programs is probably best summed up by one fact: The Federal government is the ONLY entity in America that provides more scholarships to students than the Elks.
It's astonishing to realize how far, how wide, and how deep our organization reaches into the future through our service to young people. Every year...just in Hastings...we touch the lives of over 2,000 youth. As a member, you give Hastings youth the chance to compete, excell, achieve and live their dreams. What could be better than that?
Here is just a partial list of the Youth Programs that the Hastings Elks Lodge sponsors right here, every year:
- Scholarships
- Student of the Month, Student of the Year (Including students from Hastings High, Adams Central and St. Cecilia.)
- Soccer Shoot
- Hoop Shoot
- Dictionary Project
- Cub Scout and Boy Scout Programs
- Christmas Gifts for Disadvantaged Kids
- Christmas Party for Disabled Kids
- Drug Education