Founded on February 16, 1868, the Elks are a Charitable Organization dedicated to helping veterans, giving scholarships, and all around bettering our communities. Elks rarely seek recognition, and do not rely on any government assistance. In fact, the Elks created the first veterans’ hospital and gave it to the US government. It is also the largest private provider of college scholarships in the United States.

Under the national umbrella, there are 49 state organizations, each divided into several districts. The Santa Cruz Elks Lodge belongs to the West Central District, which in turn belongs to the California-Hawaii Elks Association.

For a complete history of the Elks, see www.elkshistory.org.

Last updated: January 14, 2024 at 19:21 pm