By now, you’ve probably eaten the last of the turkey and stuffing and the only thing leftover from Thanksgiving dinner are the memories of spending time with family and friends. Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to look back at the year in a spirit of reflection, thankfulness, and giving.
At the Elks, we recently had opportunity to reflect and be thankful, first for our Veterans and second, for some milestone Elks members.
Thanks to the generosity of Schwan GMC, Capital RV, Comfort Inn, and Clear Channel Radio, 1,500 area Veterans and active duty military men and women were treated to a hearty lunch of turkey, stuffing, and all the fixins on November 12th. The Elks kitchen and management team did a great job planning, preparing, and executing this monumental event! The next day, the Elks played host to its annual Homecoming, an evening where we hand out years-of-service pins to 25 and 50-year members.
Both events were very well attended and were great ways to honor those who have served our country, and our Elks for so many years. Look for articles pictures of both events elsewhere in this newsletter.
And now that December is upon us, we continue that season of being thankful and supplement it with a season of giving. If you’re looking to include the Elks as part of your Christmas gift giving, here are some ideas:
***To your favorite member or volunteer, give Elks #1199 logo merchandise; windshirts, t-shirts, hats and other wear-ables are available.
***To your favorite cook, give a shaker or two of Elks #1199 spices – or for your favorite party host or hostess, bring our famous garlic toast and pate’ to their next holiday party.
***To friends, family, clients, and customers: give a gift certificate. Open them up to a great experience in the dining room, 1199 Lounge, or TR Bar.
***To honor a family member or friend, give a donation to Elks Camp Grassick or the Elks National Foundation in their name.
***To a child, grandchild, brother, sister, or friend; give the gift of membership. Personally, I considered it an honor when my father sponsored me and paid for my first year of membership. What a great tradition to start in your family!
But as Elks members, you already know that giving is a year-round affair and it doesn’t always involve gifts.
During initiation, Elks Officers talk to new members about Elks virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity. Following is an excerpt from the Leading Knight’s piece about Charity:
“The daily gifts we bestow increase our own riches. The help we extend to those in need is added to our own strength. The real value of wealth is not in having, but in sharing. The real benefactor of mankind counts his store in what is given, not in what is saved.
But, as Elks, we teach not alone the charity of giving, but the higher and nobler charity of thought, word, and deed. Our whole influence in life is determined by the good deeds we do rather than by the emotions we feel. The kindliest feeling may vanish, the best resolve may be forgotten; but the influence of a good deed, honestly and properly performed, will continue forever.”
Elks know true giving knows no season! To my fellow Elks Members, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
It is my sad duty to announce the death of Loren Jechort, Walter Albrecht, L. Thomas Gaukel, Duane Flick, Leonard Olson and Lyle Hanson. May their virtues be written on the tablets of love and memory.
Michael Lindblom
Exalted Ruler
