The Latest from Lodge 572...
Illinois Elks Lodges Close Due To COVID-19 Virus
In accordance with the directive from the Illinois Elks State President, our Lodge will be closed until the end of April. All Club Room activities, including food & drink sales, are suspended. All Lodge events and activities are suspended/re-scheduled/cancelled. Further information will be posted as it becomes available.
April Newsletter Online
The newsletter for April 2020 is now available online. To view and/or print it, use the links in the navigation menu on the left. At this time, there is no calendar for April due to the closure of Lodges due to COVID-19 virus precautions. Any changes wil be posted here as they become available.
25th Anniversary CCC Dart Tournament Report
For a quarter century, Lodge #572 has been working hard to help Illinois Children who are in need. Current Committee leaders, B.J. Wyatt and Lynn Porter, along with their volunteers, have worked very hard on this year's historic event! Results will be reported in our April Newsletter, as information is still being finalized, and some elements of the Tourney / Auction are not yet finished. For example, there are still some nice Tourney Shirts (Both Long & Short Sleeve) available for purchase. And, we continue to accept $25 Member Challenge contributions - where your name goes on the Club Room wall chart & will be included in our upcoming Newsletter (We will continue to do so, through around March 23, as long as we can get your contribution to the Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation, in Chatham, before the month's end). It's not to late to chip in on how we do on this 25th year......join with those already on our Challenge Board! Look to our April newsletter, Lodge website, and/or Facebook page for complete details!! Elks Care - Elks Share!
Lodge 572 Takes Part In Hometown Event
On
Sunday, February 2, 2020, several Lodge members participated in
the City of Murphysboro's presentation for its application to HGTV's
Home Town Takeover series. Our Lodge was recognized by WSIL TV, in its
broadcast of the event. This photo was prominently featured in both the
Southern Illinoisan and the Murphysboro Times. Then, as of this
Newsletter printing, we have noticed that the lead article in the March,
2020 edition of Illinois Country Living (Rural Electric Cooperative's
state-wide magazine) is entitled "Welcome back, Murphysboro." On pages
#3 and #25, you will find the photo of the Jackson County Court House,
Citizens, and our Lodge's large, American Flag, in full presentation.
Elks #572 - proud be be an integral part of our community!
ENF Per Capita Goal Reached
We did it! Through both the generosity of Lodge #572 individuals sending in contributions to the Elks National Foundation, and mainly the hard work and time given by our dedicated volunteers at our 4 ENF Benefit Shooting Matches, held in January and February, we have met the required $5.50 per member (State President's Goal) for 2019 - 2020. Therefore, again in 2020 - 2021, we are qualified to apply for & receive all National & State Grants. This past year, these grants brought back some $11,000 into our Community. Wow - how's that for an investment return on just over $3,700 sent to the ENF? Congratulations, everyone, on a job well done!
Members -- Time To Renew Your Membership Dues
Please remember that the current Elk Year ends on March 31, and the new one begins on April 1. Therefore, you will be receiving dues notices & information soon. For your advance information, regular dues for 2020 - 2021 will be $70.25, and life member dues will be $32.25. (Note - a $2 increase is the result of increased liability insurance rates incurred at the Grand Lodge level.) With some 670 members, we are a large Lodge, so we ask for your patience/cooperation in getting member/spouse key cards out to you. Thanks in advance, everyone!
Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarships
The ENF awards 2.44 Million annually to high school seniors nationwide. A total of 500 Scholarships range from 2 top awards at $50,000 each - to 480 at $4,000 each. Details: This MVS program is open to any high school senior who is a U.S. citizen. Applications are judged on Scholarship; Leadership; and Financial Need. Applications available online only and must be submitted online. For details or to access the application, visit https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm. Guidance Offices should have information. Selection of winners begins at the local Lodge level and continues through district, state and national judging. Lodge #572 contact is Don Siefert: 618-201-4184 or donnansief@aol.com
ENF Emergency Educational Grants
Provides financial assistance to undergraduate children (under age 24) of deceased or totally disabled Elks in the form of renewable, one-year grants of up to $5,000. Applications available by request between May 1 and October 31 of academic year for which assistance is desired. For details, contact the ENF Office at 773-755-4732, or visit https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/EEFGrants.cfm. Lodge #572 contact for information is Don Siefert: 618-201- 4184 or donnansief@aol.com