Oak Lawn Elks Distribute Christmas Boxes To Struggling Families

OAK LAWN, IL — Many of us will sit down this holiday season with family and friends to give thanks for all that we have been given. Unfortunately, others are not so fortunate. Not knowing how you will feed yourself or your family can be very heartbreaking.

Every year the Oak Lawn Elks Lodge No. 2254 holds their Annual Needy Family Christmas Program. The event took place on Saturday, December 19, 2020. This year 78 families that were referred by school social workers, received Christmas boxes containing food and/or gift cards.

In addition, to the Annual Needy Family Christmas Program, the Oak Lawn Elks Lodge No. 2254 has been busy in the past few months helping those in need. Some of this years projects include:

Thanksgiving Dinner - A total of $500.00 was donated in gift cards to help families in need have a Thanksgiving dinner. The families were referred to the Lodge by school social workers.

Annual Coats for Kids Program - this program provided 52 brand new coats to school age children in need of a winter coat. School social workers referred the children to the Lodge.

Illinois Veterans' Home - Lodge Veterans' Chairman Mike Simental purchased items totaling over $5000.00 for the Illinois Veterans' Home in Manteno. Items included were clothing, eletric razors, snacks and a power lift recliner.

The mission of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Oak Lawn Lodge No. 2254, 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.