The Latest from Lodge 572...

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.

May 2022 Newsletter & Calendar Online

The newsletter and calendar for May are now available. To view/print them, use the links in the menu on the left.

Last Year's Beacon Grant Repurposed

Because of the Covid shutdown, our Lodge was unable to use last year’s ENF Beacon Grant to feed veterans visiting the Haven on Crab Orchard Lake each month. After some discussion with Grand Lodge ENF personnel, we were given permission to give the $3,500.00 directly to the Haven for purchase of supplies, repairs, and other needed items. Finding a way to utilize the money rather than returning it helps ensure that our Lodge will continue receiving the ENF Beacon Grant each year for our support of the Haven.

Blood Drive

We will be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive in the Lodge Hall on Monday, May 23^rd, from 1:30 to 5:30 pm. The Red Cross is currently experiencing the lowest blood supplies in over a decade, causing many hospitals to have to postpone important surgeries, and yet that hasn't stopped the fact that someone needs blood in the U.S., every 2 seconds. Over 4 million Americans would die each year without blood transfusions. The World Health Organization says "Blood is the most precious gift anyone can give to another person." Our motto is " Elks Care - Elks Share." So, please come and share the precious gift of your blood at this drive at #572, and help save three lives! Please contact Gene Schwebel at (618)521-0879 to schedule an appointment, or go to REDCROSSBLOOD.org Also, if you can volunteer to help out or make some homemade snacks for the canteen area, they are always appreciated. Please consider coming to the Lodge's Blood Drive and "Give the Gift of Life"!!!

Flags To Be Placed Around Murphysboro For Memorial Day

American flags will again grace businesses in and around Murphysboro, this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Our volunteers will place these in front of participating businesses on Friday, May 27^th. They will be picked up on Tuesday, May 31st. Any Elk member interested in helping, call me at (618) 713-3248, or leave me a note at the Lodge. Thanks in advance! Steve Schemonia, Flag Service Coordinator.

2022 CCC Dart Tournament

From this year's event, a check was issued to the Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation, in the amount of $12,900.00! Thanks to the response of you, our members out there, additional donations were already at C.C.C., attributed to our Lodge. Therefore, we will not know our total amount contributed for 2021 - 2022, until the upcoming State meeting in May. So, Stay Tuned!

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)