Elks Lodge to honor departed members
Camillus Elks Lodge No. 2367 will celebrate and honor their departed brothers and sisters on Sunday, December 1st at 2 p.m. at their Lodge at 6117 Newport Rd. Camillus.
The Elks will be joined by the Dr. Tom Dooley Choraliers in the remembrance service. Members, family and friends of the Lodge are invited to attend this public event. Refreshments by the Ladies Auxiliary will be served immediately following the service.
The origins of the Elks began 152 years in New York City. In 1867, Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian and fifteen other actors and musicians met on Sundays to socialize.
At one Sunday meeting, Vivian reported that one of their group had fallen ill and lacked funds to seek medical treatment.
It was at that point the members permanently organized as a social and benevolent group called the Jolly Corks and was patterned after the Buffaloes, an English organization of which Vivian had been a member. Within a year, the name changed to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE).
It was custom among early Lodges to conduct a formal service in pay tribute to a Bbother who had died. As the order continued to grow rapidly, Elks formalized this custom as a Statute in the Order.
Today, the first Sunday in December is “Elks Memorial Day”; and every lodge in the country pauses to commemorate their departed brothers and sisters and to renew memories and honor those who have gone before us.
Questions regarding the service should be directed to Diane Daniels at 315-430-2306.
Today, Elks U.S.A is the premier charitable and patriotic organization in the U.S. with nearly one million members.
Their mission is to quicken the spirit of American patriotism and serve the people and communities through benevolent programs focused on student scholars, athletes, and veterans. Programs include youth scholarships, Americanism essay contests, Basketball Hoop Shoot contests, Soccer Shoot contests, Drug Awareness campaigns, Junior Bowling, Dictionary project, Scouting, and Veterans programs.
All monies for benevolent programs are raised through volunteer efforts of its members and Ladies Auxiliary. In the past 52 years, Camillus Elks Lodge 2367 has donated over $1,200,000 in contributions to local, state, and national charities. Additional information including membership information is located on Elks.org.
