April 26, 2024 |
Photo – Members of BPOE 609 receive the award – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Elks Lodge 609 is the recipient of the the April 2024 Rawlins Community Builder Award.
During the April 16th Rawlins city council meeting, Volunteer Committee Member and Rawlins Fire Chief Alan Robinson explained how each month, the city chooses a person or organization to honor. For the month of April, the Volunteer Committee has chosen the local chapter of the Elks Lodge to receive the Rawlins Community Builder Award.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a volunteer organization that supports charitable, patriotic, and community service programs. The Rawlins branch of the Elks Lodge was founded in 1900, with the lodge building being constructed in 1907.
Rawlins Downtown Development Authority Mainstreet Executive Director Pam Thayer said Elks perform a lot of volunteer work within the city. For that reason, Thayer said the lodge deserves to receive the Community Builder Award.
Elks Lodge 609 members Ty Espy and Mike Murry were on hand to receive the award. Murry said the Rawlins Elks Lodge is uniquely dedicated to charity. Murry said the city’s lodge quadrupled the donation amount requested by the local head of the organization, the exalted ruler.
Murry said all Wyoming Elks Lodges donate to the Wyoming Elks State Trust, or WEST. Murry said his organization has used WEST funds to help disadvantaged young people throughout Carbon County.
Murry said the Rawlins Elks Lodge has donated twice as much money to the Wyoming Elks State Trust as any other lodge in the state.
Over the past fiscal year, Murry said Rawlins Elks have donated approximately $45,000 in cash and time to communities across Carbon County.
Murry said the Rawlins Elks Lodge recently donated $1,000 to Honor Flight, a program that transports veterans to war memorials in Washington D.C. The Elks Lodge member said his organization also contributes to various causes around the county.
Murry thanked the city of Rawlins for recognizing Elks Lodge 609 for their community service.
Winners of the Rawlins Community Builder Award receive a plaque and $100 to be donated to a local organization. The Elks Lodge members chose to give their award money to the Boys and Girls Club of Carbon County.
