Danbury Elks Lodge to host "FUNdraiser" with Rock & Roll Comedian Jack Willhite

Danbury Elks Lodge to host "FUNdraiser" with Rock & Roll Comedian Jack Willhite

Danbury, Conn. – The Danbury Elks Lodge is scheduled to host a Rock & Roll Comedian Jack Willhite on Saturday September 23 at the Danbury Elks Lodge, located at 36 Sugar Hollow Road (Rt. 7 north). Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase on DanburyElks.org and a limited number will be available at the door on a first come, first served basis.

"We anticipate this to be a great FUNdraiser, with an emphasis on fun! I've seen many comedy shows, but this is very unique. The Lodge welcomes members of the community to enjoy the show and learn more about our community programs and ways to get involved," said Steve Dance, this year's Exalted Ruler (President) of the Danbury Elks Lodge. "We are a volunteer-run fraternal membership organization, and the national Elks have been in existence nearly 150 years. Elks invest in the community through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life."

The Elks are still accepting donations for a bucket raffle to be held at the event, with proceeds to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center via Connecticut Elks Association Major Projects. Item suggestions: New items, gift baskets, gift certificates for dinner, movies, golf outings, sports events, collectible items. Items are asked to be dropped off at the Lodge on Saturday by 7:00pm. Over $4.5 million has been raised by the Connecticut Elks Association Major Projects Committee since its inception in 1953, according to the CT State Association's website.

The Benevolent and Protect Order of Elks spends more than $80 million annually for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as educating children about the danger of drugs and alcohol, benefiting children with disabilities, 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 teach all children and parents about the dangers of illegal drug use and prevent the abuse of legalized and prescription drugs. Elroy the Elk, the program’s mascot, reminds young kids that hugs are better than drugs. Elroy is scheduled to be at our Kids Safety Day event at Mill Plain Fire Department on October 14," said Dance.

The Danbury Elks Lodge No. 120, one of 31 Lodges in CT, serves Danbury and over 15 surrounding communities per the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge. The Elks have Lodges in every state, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Panama Canal Zone. For more information visit DanburyElks.org, CTElks.org and Elks.org.

ABOUT THE BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS (B.P.O.E.)
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.), also affectionately known as the "Best People on Earth," or more commonly called Elks, have more than 1,900 Elks Lodges across the country and American territories, with a total membership nearing 800,000. 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. Traditionally an all-male organization, women were officially admitted as members in 1995. The Elks 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.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has made more than $5 billion in donations since they first started nearly 150 years ago. Last year alone, the Elks donated approximately $323 million in cash, gifts and time to make each community a better place to live. The Elks are a patriotic and charitable organization. The mission of the Elks is: "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." For more information about Elks programs, membership, and to find a local lodge near you visit Elks.org.

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