MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Elks Lodge #140 has a long-standing history of enriching lives in the Knox County community. This year is no different.
Earlier this month, lodge members awarded $8,500 in grants to three local nonprofits, enabling the organizations to continue their mission of making a difference:
•Woodward Opera House, $3,000
•Mobility management, $2,500
•Knox County Chapter of the Byron Saunders Foundation, $3,000
Woodward Opera House
The Woodward Opera House will use the grant to continue operations and provide entertainment for the community and educational opportunities for youth.
House manager Dena Hess-McKinstry said The Woodward Hometown Series and the partnership with ARTSiQ top the list.
“Both of these programs are so beneficial to our community,” she said.
The Woodward Hometown Series promotes local talent in a Vaudeville-style show.
“We offer these shows five times a year and our goal is to keep the price point low for everyone to be able to enjoy,” Hess-McKinstry said. “Vaudeville shows date back to the original opening of The Woodward Opera House. They are family friendly shows with performers of all ages.
ARTSiQ is a program of MTVarts in which children have the opportunity to attend camps and learn the art of performing.
“Funding from the Elks Club grant will give us the opportunity to continue offering our stage for these children to perform in a theater setting at the conclusion of their camps. As the oldest authentic opera house in North America, we are focused on creating memories for our community and pride ourselves on promoting the talents therein,” Hess-McKinstry said.
“Thank you to the Elks Club for recognizing these efforts and helping us fulfill our mission. The Woodward Opera House is so grateful to be among the recipients of the Elks Club grant!”
Mobility management
Mobility management will use the grant to help citizens with mobility issues who struggle with transportation.
“The $2,500 grant from the Elks will help about 50 to 60 people get to out-of-town health appointments,” Mobility Management Manager Susie Simpson said.
“These people would not be able to pay the $120 to $150 bill they would get if they had to pay for it.”
Byron Saunders Foundation
The Knox County Chapter of the Byron Saunders Foundation provides a Thanksgiving meal for families who face job loss, unexpected medical bills, or some other hardship.
Now in its 20th year, the chapter averages between 350 and 400 meals a year.
“What the $3,000 Elks grant means to us is that it covers the cost of around 100 meals,” BSF treasurer Cheryl Splain said. “What it means to lodge members is that Knox County families — hundreds of people — know that the Elks care.
“We are extremely grateful for the grant,” she added. “We could not do what we do without the support of the Elks and other organizations and individuals who believe in our mission and want to make a difference in their community.”
Elks Lodge #140 applied for and received the $8,500 from the Elks National Foundation. The foundation awards thousands of dollars each year to local lodges as grants to support organizations that help individuals and their families.
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