TENAFLY, N.J.—On Aug. 9, the East District Elks’ Army of Hope Committee presented its fifth annual Tiki Night and it was hula hoops of fun and fundraising.
Over 150 Elks members and officers from nine different Elks lodges came together at the Tenafly Elks Lodge #2271 to support veterans, one of the organization’s many charities. Elks came from lodges in Tenafly, Ridgefield Park, Cliffside Park, Bayonne, Closter, Weehawken, Jersey City, Hoboken and Palisades Park to have a great time together for a great cause.
The Tenafly Elks officials who attended were Maureen Ray, Exalted Leader; Tony Bianco, Leading Knight; Adele Macris, Loyal Knight; Evelyn Sanchez, Lecturing Knight; Sturgis Katirgis, Treasurer; Richard Ritner, Esquire; Bobby Thompson, Chaplain; Barbara Moscone; Inner Guard; and Maureen Quinn, Past District Deputy and current State Trustee.
East Bergen District Deputy Kimberley A. Kingsbury was also at the tiki party, as was Anthony Perrone, vice president of the East Bergen District of the Elks and trustees Ken Riley, Joe Horoncich, Quentin Kennedy, Carlo Coretto, and Jerry O’Brien.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m., people lined up for an abundant buffet of food and beverages, all of which had been donated. DJ John Rafferty played popular music, and to enhance the tiki party theme, some people sported Polynesian shirts and grass skirts. A 50/50 raffle added to the night’s revenue, which was expected to exceed the $1,800 total of last year’s tiki party.
Exalted Ruler Maureen Ray, one of the many Elks in red, said, “I love the fact that all the money we raise at this event goes to the veterans who really need help. This is not about us sitting here and having a burger and a beer. It’s about raising money for men and women who are fighting a war for our freedom. And, we don’t just donate money, but also items that the soldiers need. For example, last year, my Company, E.T. Browne Drug Co. in Englewood Cliffs, donated an entire pallet of sunscreen to the soldiers in Afghanistan. ”
A festive party for a serious mission
Although the atmosphere was festive, the mission was indeed a serious one. Bobby Thompson, who serves as the Tenafly Elks’ Chaplain, has been an Elk for 51 years and a veteran since 1962. He is adamant about supporting veterans: “Every month I go with a group of Elks to the Veterans Memorial Home in Paramus. Visiting with these veterans and playing Bingo with them is so rewarding. These are people who have dedicated their lives to preserving the freedoms that we have in this country so it is important that we honor them as much as we can.”
That sentiment of support was reiterated by Army of Hope Committee Chair Martin Hickey.
“When an enlisted person dies, the government presents the family with a flag and that’s the end of it. You never hear from them again,” Hickey said. “But, the Army of Hope continues to support each veteran’s family forever. Elks wear red shirts on Friday that say, ‘Red Shirt Friday Til They All Come Home.’ The color red is an acronym for ‘Red for Everyone Deployed.’”
The Elks also hold numerous fundraisers. On Oct. 6, the Tenafly Elks are inviting the veterans from the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home to their lodge for a meatball and spaghetti dinner.
The Elks’ Army of Hope also hosts a huge “Day of Patriotism” once a year. This year, the Day of Patriotism, an Army of Hope and Homeless Veterans Appeal, will be on Sept. 8 at the Lacey Elks Lodge #2518 in Forked River, N.J., and is expected to draw up to 2,000 people.
A charitable organization for young and old
The Order of Elks is a national fraternal organization with headquarters in Chicago and 2,224 subordinate lodges in every state, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Philippines, the Canal Zone and Puerto Rico. Currently there are over 1.28 million members of the Elks and most lodges have a ladies auxiliary.
The Elks is essentially a charitable organization. They have raised millions of dollars for a number of programs, such as college scholarships for high school seniors and other youth programs, including the Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw competition involving more than three million youngsters.
The Army of Hope is another of the Elks’ many charities. Their mission is to assist active military servicemen and women, those severely wounded in the line of duty, and Fallen Hero families whose loved ones were killed in the line of duty.