The Grapevine Elks Lodge has about 560 members acting as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, or BPOE.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Grapevine Elks Lodge will host the 22nd annual Memorial Golf Tournament with proceeds going toward college scholarships.
When: Registration begins at noon Oct. 10. Where: Bear Creek Golf Club, 3500 Bear Creek Court, Dallas Entry Fee: $150 per player, $600 per team (due Oct. 1), $175 per player (Oct. 2-10) For more information: https://grapevineelkscharities.org
COMMUNITY
From left, Ed Benton, Brian Fuller, Joe Young and Marcus McCrary are members of the Grapevine Elks Lodge. (Photos by Hannah Johnson/Community Impact Newspaper)
Grapevine Elks Lodge Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks celebrating 50 years T he Grapevine Elks Lodge BY HANNAH JOHNSON
Casino Royale Night includes hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, cocktails, a silent auction, DJ music and more.
nearly 350 children with special needs the opportunity to attend summer camp. “We’re looking for any way … to help local kids,” Fuller said. “That’s what we’re looking for.” The lodge holds a drug awareness program and collects items for welcome home kits to help veterans transition into housing. It also hosts the Elks National Hoop Shoot, which is a free-throw contest for children. Elks member Joe Young joined the lodge last year and said it has been great to see the community’s reaction to the Elks’ programs. “When you see a smile on some- one’s face—that says it all,” Young said. “You can’t match that.” Beyond raising thousands of dollars for charities, the Elks are a fraternal organization, Fuller said.
The lodge hosts Christmas parties, Sunday football watch parties and other weekly events. In 1995, the Elks Lodge amended its constitution at a national level and allowed women to join. “We’re a family,” Lodge Secretary Marcus McCrary said. The Grapevine Elks Lodge is open daily to members. Annual member- ship dues are $111.50. The fraternity among Elks mem- bers goes beyond the Grapevine lodge. Fuller said members can visit any lodge in the U.S. and be greeted by other Elks. “As soon as you walk into a lodge in Hoboken, New Jersey, there are six guys at the door, [and] guess what? We’re all Elks, [and] we can start a conversation,” Fuller said. “That’s one of the really cool aspects of being an Elk.”
No. 2483 was chartered in October 1972 and celebrates its 50th anniversary next month. Its 560 members act as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, or BPOE. Brian Fuller, the lodge’s elected leader, known as the Exalted Ruler, said the Grapevine lodge takes the mission in its title as a benevolent group “seriously.” “Charity is the cornerstone of our organization,” Fuller said. In the last year, Fuller said the lodge raised over $125,000 for var- ious charitable e orts. Some funds supported the Elks’ veteran services and its scholarship program. About $75,000 went toward the Elks’ state project called Texas Elks Camp. Through the project, the Elks gives
Grapevine Elks Lodge 909 Bushong Road, Grapevine www.grapevineelks.org Meetings are at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. When: 7 p.m. Oct. 8 Where: 909 Bushong Road, Grapevine Entry fee: free for golfers registered in Oct. 10 tournament, $25 for others
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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