Elks gather warm gear for kids

What would you do for the community with $4,000? That was a question pondered by a group of ladies at the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls when deciding where to use the Grant of Gratitude and Elks Anniversary Grant at their disposal for community oriented activities.

The group had already pledged $1,000 to help the Friends of the Quilting House in their constant quest to create beautiful, warm quilts for local and regional veterans in thanks for their service and as a friendly reminder that vets have serious fans.

The Sanders County Food Bank was also the recipient of $1,000 to help with holiday turkey meals, but other needed foods for those in the community dependent on the food bank’s services.

It was decided that the remaining $2,000 be used to put boots on the ground, in the form of the Keep ‘Em Warm Project (KEW). The first meeting of the KEW crew started with the idea to tackle the problem of kids showing up to school wearing sneakers in the snow, according to members Peg Conklin, Wendy Lucklow, Connie Scott, Gwen Esler and Penny Torgrimson. School secretaries had put out the call for help with footwear for students who did not have weather appropriate gear. The crew did a lot of shopping for six county schools, and were able to get 90 pairs of boots to schools before Thanksgiving.

Other Elks members heard about the effort and purchased boots on their own for donation, and asked to be informed if more were needed. The crew notified Elks members to remain on standby as they were confident more calls would come in. An additional $572 will help, that was left over from the September’s Elks National Foundation Promise Grant School Supplies effort the lodge participated in.

The crew reported that once the boot needs are filled they will be on to assisting with clothing, coats, and mittens. Schools identified other specific needs like socks, underwear, jeans, snow pants, coats and mittens. The crew was able to meet some needs right away. They noted that although the Coats, Hat & Mitten drive was no longer the Elks event, they participate and help every year. The drop box for donations is already set up at the lodge and accepting donations.

Those wishing to donate funds to the cause can have the KEW crew do the shopping. Elks Lodge Secretary Earlene Powell is the contact for monies directed to the KEW crew and lodge efforts. For more information call the Elks Lodge at 827-7770.