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Danielle Wahoski, a house committee member, and Tina Farr volunteered to work the beer tent during the picnic. They have been friends for 49 years. Their moms met at Bi-County Hospital. Wahoski’s Mom was an Elk and got Farr’s family involved in the organization. According to Wahoski, the Elks are about friends who are family.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
WARREN — The Macomb Elks Club No. 2292 has existed for many years.
Located at 25950 Schoenherr Road, club members have held fundraisers to help others, including veterans, children and families in need. The lodge is also available to rent for parties, baby showers and other events.
The group — which consists of 315 members that service Macomb County — has built a tight-knit community within the lodge and wants to continue its tradition of helping others. However, because the Elks building doesn’t have a sign, many people don’t know about the club. Members are trying to fix that by holding a fundraiser to raise money to purchase a new digital marquee sign.
Esteemed Leading Knight James Starkey came up with “50 Thousand in 50 Days Idea.” The goal is to raise $50,000 in 50 days to purchase a marquee sign for the building that will promote community events and involvement. Starkey is distributing letters to local businesses seeking donations to raise the $50,000 needed for the sign.
“The letters explain about the Elks and what our lodge has done,” Starkey said. “We’re asking $1,000 (per business.) In return once our sign is up and running, we’ll thank all the donors with a year of advertising in our lounge area.”
Once the money is raised, the sign will be ordered and all the proper permit paperwork will be done. The new signage will then be installed.
“The community will know we’re here,” Starkey said. “We can hopefully draw more people into the facility.”
This past year, the lodge members held several events: United States Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Takeback Day April 27; a Flag Day ceremony June 14; Mother’s Day breakfast buffet May 12; and a charity classic car show June 9. Adopting families at Christmastime is another popular activity among the group.
Several group members, too, are in the process of building a relationship with the Michigan Veterans Home at Chesterfield Township. They also have a donation basket in the lodge to collect hygiene products for the John D. Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit.
On Aug. 3, members held their annual family picnic. One member in attendance was current Exalted Ruler Denise Allport. She has been a member for 16 years and her husband, David Allport, has been a member for 18 years.
“I love the camaraderie, the friendships and the social aspect of the club,” she said. “It’s the moments in time we are able to help the community, veterans, the disabled, those with special needs and kids. Giving back to the community is what I really enjoy.”
Allport is “very excited” about the “50 Thousand in 50 Days Idea.”
“I’m very hopeful it will generate some donations for the lodge,” she said. “The sign will let the community know we are here.”
Anyone interested in making a donation for the “50 Thousand in 50 Days Idea” can contact Esteemed Leading Knight James Starkey at (586) 242-9369 or via email 586outdoors@gmail.com.
The club is always looking for potential members. If interested, call the lodge at (586) 771-8550 or send an email to macomb2292@mielks.org.
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