Since 2005, on Christmas Day, the Elks Lodge performs a service of providing and serving in order to give back to the community. Ever since I was a kid, I have volunteered on Christmas Day and served food to homeless people, or in my younger years, amused the elderly with my childhood personality.

Each Christmas, the Elks spend hours cooking and later serving a Christmas dinner to hundreds of homeless or people in need. Anyone who may not be able to afford a meal, spend time with their family or have a “typical” Christmas, can spend their day at the Elks Lodge, listening to a live band.

Typically, Elks members and some of their families volunteer for the day doing different jobs. There are dishes to be done, serving, setting the tables and area, later taking it down, cooking and waiting on people. 

A more recent job that has become the new system, entails volunteer drivers to deliver food to people who may not be able to attend. This year, I even rode with a volunteer to drop meals off at the police and fire stations for first responders. 

Other peers have been volunteering at Elks events, when influenced by family members to help the cause. It was wonderful to see people my age alongside, helping out for a great cause. “Spending Christmas at the Elks is something my family has always done. It’s part of our traditions and we have always made our Christmas day work around the dinner,” Jamie Henderson ’24 said.

According to Alan Harding, the past exalted ruler and trustee of the lodge, there were 187 meals served this Christmas.