The Latest from Lodge 572...

August Newsletter & Calendar Online

The calendar and newsletter for August 2022 are now available to view/download. Use the links in the menu on the left to access them.

Lodge 572 Welcomes Seven New Members

On June 1, 2022, our Lodge initiated seven new members into our Order. Please make them feel welcome and introduce yourself when you see them in the Lodge...more

Three Students Sponsored By Lodge 572 Receive CCC Awards

We are pleased to report to our membership, that the following students have received Physical/Occupational Therapy scholarship awards from the Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation for school year 2022 - 2023. They are as follows: Kaitlyn Soderlund, from Sparta, $500; Dalton Chapman, from Ava, $500; and Carly Carril, from Ellis Grove, $2,600. Soderlund and Chapman will be firstyear students, while Carril in entering graduate studies - this is her 5th year to receive an Elks Scholarship award from the C.C.C. Here is part of a note, sent by Carly, by way of Lodge Secretary, to our membership, regarding these awards: "I thank you and all of the other Elk Members for the generosity, time, hard work, and dedication put in each year to make this scholarship possible for me and so many others. It has greatly helped to relieve some of my stress about college debt and allowed me to focus on my studies! Thanks again!" Members All - this is just one example of why we can be proud to be ELKS!

Cardinals Game Raffle Results

Thanks to all who purchased tickets in last month's raffle for 2 Green Seat Tickets for the Cardinals vs Yankees Game. Drawn after the Lodge meeting on July 20, the winning ticket was purchased by member James Taylor. All tickets were sold, and profits have been deposited in our Building Maintenance Fund!

Lodge Elk Of The Year

Lodge #572 Elk-of-the-Year, for 2021-2022 is Brian (BJ) Korando. An 11-year member from Jacob, Illinois, Brian has brought in a kitchen cook crew from "the Bottoms" to help with numerous fund raisers, including our own Beer & Chicken Dance, and the "We Care of Jacob" yearly benefit dinner. Our winner is a Monday Night Burger Team member; cooked for curbside dinners during Covid; for fundraisers for Veterans; and for START clients. And, he has been know to "talk" vendors into donations of product for our events. Thanks, BJ, for all your support, time, and effort!

Lodge 572......First Place......Again

At the May Illinois Elks Association State Meeting in Springfield, awards were given out by the Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation (CCC). Our Lodge was recognized once again as the top contributor for gross contributions in the state. Our total conributions were $15,790.00. We may not be the biggest Lodge in the state, but everybody in the state knows our name.

Donation Figures To Be Proud Of

We have just completed our Charitable Report to Grand Lodge. Our Elks drove over 3,500 miles; put in some 800 volunteer service hours; helped donate Non-Cash items valued at $4,000 (i.e., food, clothes, Christmas gifts, Hall donations, etc.); and importantly, our Lodge gave $25,834 in monetary support to communities in our Lodge area. Each member of #572 - it is YOUR membership that allows all this to happen. Elks Care - Elks Share!

Lodge 572 Sponsors State Teen Of The Year

In what we believe to be a first for our Lodge, Carlee Pullis, Murphysboro High School Senior, has won this state title! At the Lodge level, a check for $100 was presented by the Lodge Secretary; then, $500 was handed out for the South District win by Carter Lacy, South District Vice President; finally, a plaque was presented by Illinois Elks State President Todd Lindsay (shown in photo) accompanied by a $1,000 check.

Now - we are proud to announce to our membership, that Miss Pullis is also a winner of an Elks LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP! Available to High School Seniors with strong academic and activity credentials, and who are children or grand children of current Elk members in good standing, this scholarship will provide Carlee with $4,000 toward her upcoming attendance at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), majoring in Education. Elk member, Dan, and Elaine Pullis are the parents of our Legacy winner. And, Members All of Lodge #572, please share in the knowledge that we are supporting youth in our community!

Students Of The Year Named

Each month, Chester High School names two deserving Seniors as Elk Students-Of-The-Month. At year's end, from this group two are picked as Elks #572 Seniors-Of-The-Year. This years winners were: Abbigail Bollman, of Chester, and Jerald Copple II, from Ellis Grove. Each have received a $100 check and letter of congratulations from our Lodge, to show our appreciation for their hard work and achievements!

Elks National Foundation 2021-2022 Scholarship Information

Most Valuable Student (MVS)
[applications closed] Open to ANY High School Senior who is a U.S. Citizen. Judging Criteria: Academics, Leadership, Financial Need, and Service. 500 4-yr. awards as follows: Two $50,000; Two $40,000; Two $30,000; 14 $20,000; 480 $4,000. Applications are now available online at enf.elks.org/MVS and are due online on or before November 15, 2021.

Legacy Awards
[applications closed] Open to College-bound high school seniors who are the children or grandchildren of dues-paying Elks. 350 scholarships at $4,000 each. Judging based on applicant's commitment to the core values of the ENF: Knowledge, Community Service, Charity, and Integrity. (Legacy scholars are required to serve with the Elks throughout college, to receive their scholarship funds.) Applications are now available online, at enf.elks.org/Leg. Due online on or before February 7, 2022 at 11:59 a.m. Central Time.

Emergency Educational Grants
Provides undergraduate college financial assistance to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks in the form of renewable, one-year grants of up to $5,000. (This grant is for educational assistance only and is not intended to cover the entire cost of a college education.) Eligibility: attend an accredited U.S. college or university as a full-time (12 semester hours) undergraduate student; demonstrate financial need; be unmarried & under the age of 24 during the academic year for which assistance is desired. Applications available by request between May 1 and November 2 of the academic year for which assistance is desired. To request an application, contact the ENF Scholarship Office at (773)755-4732. Additional information about these Grants can be found at enf.elks.org/EEG

Finally, you can contact the following Lodge Scholarship Committee persons: Merle Evans (618-303-1693 or merle_evans@elks572.org) or Don Siefert (618-201-4184 or donnansief@aol.com)