The Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge is more than a building where people gather for food, drinks and Bingo, as some may think. Most of us joined the Elks because we wanted to do something to give back to our community, and as a result, we have been on the leading edge of supporting local veteran, youth and community organizations through fundraisers, donations and grants. Homeless Veterans who are transiti
oning to permanent housing receive $300 worth of supplies (aka Welcome Home Kits) for their permanent home. As of April 2023, we have served over 600 Veterans and are ranked 2nd in the nation of more than 2,000 lodges since the program began in 2016. SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL YOUTH: the largest fundraisers are focused on Cocoa Beach High School. We partner with the local Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs to hold monthly car washes at Anacapri Pizzeria during the school year. We’ve also made a total of $10,000 in donations to the Cocoa Beach High School JROTC Military Ball, Project Graduation, Get on Track and other 5k races. Each year we award scholarships to Cocoa Beach High School graduates. At the end of the 2023 school year, we awarded 16 graduates $750 and $1,000 scholarships to further their educations. Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr High School principal Dr. Mark Rendell, said “I have never met a group so supportive of local schools. Cocoa Beach is blessed to have the Elks. We cannot thank you enough.“
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY: we want to meet the most basic of needs in our community and that is to help feed local families. We are regularly donating $1,000 each to some of the local church food pantries. As of the end of April 2023, a total of $6,000 has been donated to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (an outreach of Church of Our Saviour) and Club Zion Community churches in Cocoa Beach. Each year, we also donate to Toys For Tots, local First Responders and other opportunities that arise. If you’re interested in being a part of this team who shares the desire to serve our community while building friendships in the process, pick up an application to become a member at 175 N. Brevard Ave., Cocoa Beach. You can also message us or email us at [email protected].
