USA
ABOUT OUR STATE
**2023-2024**
STATE PRESIDENT RENEE' RIVITUSO
WALDORF LODGE #2421
STATE PRESIDENT RENEE' RIVITUSO
WALDORF LODGE #2421
State President Renee' Rivituso
*SOAR TO GREATER HEIGHTS*
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*HISTORY of OUR STATE ASSOCIATION
CLICK HERE  Baltimore Lodge #7-
307-309 W.Fayette.St.-circa 1925
...Our Association was formally organized on the 29th day of March, 1921, in the Lodge Room of Baltimore Lodge No. 7. This Association, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, was formed to unite all Elks in closer bonds of Fraternity, to promote the interests of the Order, to exchange ideas beneficial to the Lodges and to bear true allegiance to the constitution and laws of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America.
...The Association was first known as “The Maryland State Association.” Pending passage of Grand Lodge legislation at Los Angeles in 1921, Washington D.C. and Delaware were taken in as Honorary Members. This Association has grown, and today, it is known as the Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia Elks Association, consisting of [37] Lodges (30 in Maryland, and 7 in Delaware). Membership is in excess of [19,000] Members. ...Our State Association is bordered on the East by the Atlantic Ocean and its seashores & beaches, Deep Creek Lake is at our Western border in the Appalachian Mountains. In the Central part of our State Association is situated the Great Chesapeake Bay and at the Northern tip of the Bay is the "C & D Canal" - which connects shipping routes to the Delaware Bay and many Ports to the North including Philadelphia, PA. Our Southern Border is the Nation's Capital -- Washington, D.C. -- which is flanked by the Potomac River along its Southern border. ...Our State Association has many Points of interest; but one most noteworthy is "Fort McHenry" -- where our National Anthem; The Star Spangled Banner" -- was born, during the War of 1812, which is considered by many historians as the second Revolutionary War. Francis Scott Key, a Baltimore Lawyer, wrote the Star Spangled Banner while being held as prisoner on a British ship in the North Point area. It inspired him, as he witnessed at Dawn's early light -- that our Flag was still there!! As it flew over Fort McHenry that held off the British attack, after they successfully burned Washington, DC. The Defense of Baltimore turned the British around and assisted in ending this British Invasion. Stop by Downtown Baltimore, only minutes from the Inner Harbor area, and visit this National Landmark. MAJOR PROJECT: Elks Camp Barrett, located at 1001 Chesterfield Road (near Crownsville), is a camp for youth from across the Association. Camping season begins in June and ends in August for youth ages 9-13. Separate weeks are scheduled for boys and girls. The camp is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Pediatric Oncology providing our facilities to their Camp Sunrise Program which gives a traditional camping experience to children with cancer. The camp is open to many other medically-oriented camps as well as churches, Scouts, civic organizations, and our individual lodges.
WILLIAM J. JERNICK MEMORIAL FUND: This fund was established in or about 1983 to honor the memory of Past Grand Exalted Ruler William J. Jernick, the Grand Lodge Sponsor of the Association for many years prior to his death. The Fund is an investment fund comprised of donations from lodges, members, fundraisers, etc., made annually from its inception. The annual earnings of the Fund provide revenue to fund projects and programs for assisting needy youth 21 years of age and younger with financial assistance for medical and personal disabilities. The Fund is administered by a 5-member Board of Directors, one from each of the 5 districts of the Association. CHARITABLE WORK: For the fraternal year ending March 31, 2022 (2023 statistics are not available at the time of publication), our members and helpers donated 149,280 hours, traveled 357,149 miles, and with the combination of the value of donated hours, miles traveled, cash and non-cash, contributions totaled $6,437,792.91. ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION: Donations totaled $262,177.89 for the fraternal year ending March 31, 2023. Total given since the inception of the Foundation in 1928 is in excess of $8,000,000. SERVICES PROVIDED: by State Association Committees include: Americanism, Auditing and Business Practices, Auto Tags, Elks Camp Barrett, Elks National Veterans Service Commission (VA Facilities, Army of Hope, Welcome Home, etc.), Elks National Foundation, Government Relations, "Hoop Shoot", Convention/Conference Committee, "Soccer Shoot", Drug Awareness, Lodge Development and Assistance, Membership/Lapsation, Lodge Activities, Memorial Service, Elks Training, Public Relations, Ritualistic, Scholarship, Youth Activities, and others. Ad-Hoc Committees are named as needed for special projects. The Association has supported the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, Rose Bowl Floats, the Elks Memorial Restoration Fund and continues to promote and support the William J. Jernick Memorial Fund. PUBLICATIONS – Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia Elks Association News is published quarterly in January, March, June, and September/October. 
BALTIMORE LODGE #7 - Unk Yr
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*CHARITY OF OUR STATE ASSOCIATION*
CLICK HERE *ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION DONATIONS:
***Our State Association (5 Districts / 37 Lodges) have donated to Elks National Foundation so far this year, exceeding $262,177.89 - for this Fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. **Total for the past 5 years exceeded $950,344. **Over $8,000,000 given since the inception of the Foundation in 1928.
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** To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
Download this mission statement as a shareable PDF.
Download this mission statement as a shareable PDF.
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~ We are...
~ Origin:
...The Elks organization was founded in New York City on February 16, 1868 under the name "Jolly Corks" by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. In ensuing years, membership expanded to other professions. ~ Purposes:
...This Fraternal Order was founded "To promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship." Vertical Divider
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~ Membership:
...The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity. Proposal for membership in the Order is only by invitation of a member in good standing. To be accepted as a member, one must be an American citizen, believe in God, be of good moral character and be at least 21 years old. ~ What We Do:
...The Order spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting special needs children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans' works, a national "Hoop Shoot" free-throw contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs. The youth of our country have always been important to the Order. It is for this reason the Elks Drug Awareness Education Program was launched to warn primary grade students and their parents of the dangers in drug use. Additionally, every lodge observes June 14th as Flag Day, a tradition which the Elks began in 1907 and was later adopted by the Congress as an official observance. |
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