On Sunday February 28th the Oakland Park Elks Lodge #2407 had their first Focus Grant BBQ Dinner in honor of all Veterans. Thanks to all the volunteers and Elks, it went off without a hitch! While this was the first Focus Grant BBQ, it was one of the many events that the Elks puts on in order to give back to the community.
In order to make the BBQ Dinner happen Doug Satran, ER (Lodge President) drafted a grant. The lodge was awarded the grant and with the monies received they were able to host the event. All funding was provided entirely by the grant we received with the stipulation to spend it all on our Veterans.
Veterans Get Some Extra Help
The total amount of the focus grant was $10,000. $2000 worth of Publix food cards were purchased, $2500 was used to cater the event and $5500 was used for purchasing essential items.
The Little Lodge That Could
So, early in 2020 the Elks began planning efforts to host a “giving back” dinner. The idea was to have a free dinner with all drinks included. They had raised $23,500.00for charities through grants. Their efforts were unparalleled by any other lodge in their district. This feat lead them to dub themselves “The Little Lodge that Could”. Lodge member Michelle Renee, shares ” We are humbly proud of what we have done in such a short amount of time to put ourselves on the map“.
Free Dinner for the Community
While the focus of their efforts were the veterans, all were welcome to the Elks free dinner. The catering for the BBQ was provided by Hunny’z Kitchen, LLC . Chef Anthony was the BBQ extraordinaire. His wife and CEO, Dawn, kept everything organized and food flowing!
Three Boy Scouts from CP Pack 179 were on site to help pick up with cleanup efforts. According to Renee “They were awesome and the Veterans loved seeing them in their uniforms and took pictures with them and Thank you to their Mom’s for sharing them with us for the day. We also thank Hunny’z Kitchen, LLC for all their help in making our BBQ for Veterans a huge success”.
More Good Times and Charity to Come at The Elks Lodge
The Elks are looking forward to more events this coming year. So stay tuned for information about their An Annual Luau in June and possible Chili Cook Off for Children’s Therapy Services in September. Next month, on April 9th, they will host a Pan Asian Night. Oakland Park Mayor, Jane Bolin, will be there and will be serving up Korean BBQ and Elk’s Esquire Arnicua Cuarenta will be making Lumpia! So stop the Lodge, you never know the fun that awaits you at the Little Lodge That Could and Did!
