Cortland Elks Lodge BPOE #748

What do we do? We provide thousands of volunteer hours to support Cortland County and all that makes it such a special place to live. What does that mean?

 

Well, allow us to say while we are famous for our pancakes, we do so much more. 

Briefly We:

• Support Local Scout Troops and Activities

• Provide Scholarships to Grads going into College or in a Trade

• Provide a safe place and programs to promote and support a drug-free community.

• Funding for Local Youth Sports and Activities. 

• A Host to Many Community Events

• A Honorer of Local Heroes - Office of the Year Program

• A Lodge Where You Can Come and Celebrate in the Joy of Elkdom.

 

Here are some links for to the benefits of being an Elk or having us in the Cortland Community:
 

Scholarships           Member Benefits         Donate to Elks Disaster Relief 
 

Who are we as a Local Lodge?
At the local level our motto is, "The Order of the Elks is motivated by deep feelings of reverence for the Family our Nation and it's Flag and our sworn duty to our colleagues" which is why we do the following:

Host an annual flag day to ensure each flag is laid to rest with respect and honor as set forth by tradition. While this is a "must do" for all lodges, we especially take great pride in showing respect for our flag and all of those that ensure her colors fly true. 

 

Elks Memorial Sunday, is the first Sunday in December on which we honor and remember our fallen Elks. Those who have walked the path before us and used their time with us to enrich the lives of those around them.

 

Veterans Service Program This is with the thought of "We Elks will never forget and have dedicated ourselves to repaying the debt of honor by bringing care and comfort to these patriots in our VA Medical Centers and Domiciliaries"  while holding fast to our  pledge that the Order of the Elks will never forget our American Veterans, and the Elks National Veterans Service Commission which continues work on behalf of veterans as it's primary purpose. While you do not have to be a vet to be an Elk, you do need to pay respect where respect is hard earned and due. 

 

Attend District-State-National Conventions to make sure our Lodge is up to date on all the national and state Elk programs. Believe it or not, our lodge is pretty cutting edge. 

 

Elks and Kids: Excitedly we coordinate and sponsor the Annual Elks Hoop Shoot, schedule cook for and provide food for fundraiser breakfasts for Youth Activities with our famous pancake breakfasts. Proceeds of which support of about 30 local youth programs a year. 

Annually to honorer our Local Heroes, the Elks coordinates and hosts the "Lawman of the Year". We thank them, feed them and send them home with a plaque to remind them how much their work means to us.

 

Who are we Nationally?
 

Who are the Elks? Elks are a community.

No matter where you go in the country, an Elks Lodge is right around the corner. With more than 850,000 members and 2,000 Lodges nationwide, Elks are providing charitable services that help build stronger communities
 

Elks Care, Elks Share. Are YOU an Elk?

Elks Lodges bring so much more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.

Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life.

 

• Elks in Alexandria, Va., hold a soup kitchen at the Lodge each weekday at lunch, serving 30 people, many of whom are veterans.

• Wheeling, W.Va., Elks Lodge hosts local youth once a week for a wholesome meal. They also provide homework help and invite community leaders to speak at the meals.

• Elks in Lockport, N.Y., provide an annual weeklong summer camp tailored to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
   

Our Mission

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.

 

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."
 

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 of 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.