Event News

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LODGE ACTIVITIES

Happy New Year! Welcome, 2023. It’s going to be a great year. 

Some fun activities for you begin with Bingo on Saturday, January 7th, and again on Saturday, January 21st. The fun starts at 2 pm. Come join us. Texas Hold ‘Em card games are scheduled for Saturdays, January 14th and January 28th. The games start at 1 pm. Please sign up in the Lounge, so we know how many tables to set up. Darts are on the back patio every Saturday at 5 pm, except no game on the 21st. Football is still here every Sunday. The Lounge opens up at 11 am for your viewing pleasure. 

And, Wednesday dinners continue to delight. Check out the menus on the calendar or the website, and please sign up by the Monday before. That’s all for the usual events, now on to some special fun planned for you. Don’t miss the Hot Toddy Trot on Saturday, January 14th, at 9 am. It’s a walk around the Elks's property with lots of fun and games. This event benefits the Major Projects fund for the Steele Children’s Research Center, and it’s only $20.00 for lots of fun and a pancake breakfast, too! Please see the sign-up sheet in the Lounge for further details. 

Grill Your Own Steak night is Saturday, January 21st, starting around 5 pm. Bring your steak of choice to cook; if you prefer someone else to do the cooking, Jim and Kyle would be happy to help. The cost is $5.00, and the Elks will supply the baked potatoes, salad, garlic bread, and dessert. There is a signup sheet in the Lounge. And, we will have special guests, Whiskey and Bad Decisions band playing for us. They are awesome—come check them out. 

Our Secret Santa event was a blast! The potluck was awesome—lots of great food, and the gift exchange did not disappoint. There may or may not have been a Jack Daniels theme. . .Thanks to all who came out for the fun. 

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Again this year, our Lodge Adopt-a Family program helped 20 kids thru the local food bank Impact of So. AZ. We purchased clothing, toys, and art supplies wrapped all the gifts, and delivered them to the food bank so the kids would have gifts to open for Christmas. A huge THANK YOU to all who donated to this awesome project, I know we made a big difference. Way to go, Elks! 

 Thank you for your participation and generosity.   Jan

Our annual Elks #2815 Clothe-A-Child, aka Children's Christmas Shopping Spree. 

Everyone involved spent an amazingly joyous day together, ensuring that 36 children had one of the very best days of their lives.  Our Lodge works to support underprivileged children throughout the year, and this is our biggest event ensuring the children are outfitted with coats, shoes, boots, etc.—all with great thanks to our amazing and very generous members.

As co-chairs for this wonderful event, Cindy and I wish to thank everyone for making this day so special for the little ones of Roadrunner Elementary School, Marana Unified School District. Without you, we certainly could not have pulled this off and accomplished so much for the children.  

In addition, Walmart Management and Employees came together to support the children, assist our 35 Volunteer Escorts, and designate specific registers and employees to assist us throughout our morning there. In fact, we even had a life-size Christmas Gingerbread Man and Reindeer Hugging and took photos with the children.  We also want to recognize the Golder Ranch Fire District Heroes for delivering our very own special Santa and Mrs. Claus.  We even had ornament donations for children to give to a loved one. Also, we want to recognize the Cactus Comfort Group of St. Mark Catholic Church, who made sure each child had a winter scarf, hat, and/or gloves to keep them nice and warm.

Everyone exemplified from your hearts what the true meaning of Christmas really is.  Some of the comments from the children made our hearts melt!!  One young boy so excited at the checkout said to me while taking his name tag off, "I am going to hang onto this nametag forever so I can remember what an amazing day this has been," and that was even before the Lodge Christmas Party and the arrival of the Claus' firetruck!!

One final note that I think applies so much to these children—I'd like to share from the Holy Father's Monthly Prayer Intention: "We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to an education and the opportunity to experience family affection."

Cindy and I are very humbled, grateful, and joyful, with thanks to all for making this event touch so many during this wonderful Christmas Season.  We wish you peace, hope, and love this Holiday Season and in 2023!

Any questions or comments, please contact either Leslie at 520-484-0516 or Cindy at 520-909-3731.Congratulations to us all!

AEMP also announced their new Calendar Raffle.  The raffle begins November 1st and ends March 31st, though an “early bird” drawing of three tickets will be done during the AEA Mid-Year Meeting in October. Tickets are $10 each, or three tickets for $20. Ticket drawn Monday through Friday are awarded $25, Saturday and Sunday $50, Holidays $100. Three Early Bird Winners are awarded $150, and two Grand Finale Winners are awarded $500. For more information, please read the posters in the Lodge. You can get your tickets from the bar stewards. 

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