The Raiche twins are both in their third year of receiving ENF Emergency Educational Grants, available to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks members. Although their father, a member of Westerly, R.I., Lodge No. 678, passed away many years ago, Lindsay and Lucas are still seeing the charitable works of the Elks in their everyday lives.
“We’re grateful for this scholarship and we feel very blessed that not just one, but both of us receive the award each year,” says Lucas. “It’s very important to us.”
“I really don’t know what I would do without it,” adds Lindsay.
Paving Their Way
Lindsay is a junior at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., where she is studying to become a high school math teacher. She takes advantage of real world experiences by tutoring in local classrooms and participating with Future Teachers of America.
“I knew I didn’t want to stray far from math,” says Lindsay. “I could go into accounting or business, but chose education because I’ve always had a passion for teaching.”
Lucas, on the other hand, is majoring in Sports Management at the University of South Carolina and hopes to work for a baseball team someday. He, too, stays involved at school by participating in club baseball, intermural softball and basketball. While he loves sports, he also enjoys the business side of his major.
“When I read up on the sport management program at USC, I knew it had a strong business emphasis,” says Lucas. “I take a lot of accounting, finance and other classes that most sport management programs don’t facilitate. I really like that twist on the major.”
Sibling Support
With Lindsay and Lucas well on their way to graduation, perhaps they took a cue from their older brother Brandon, who proved to be a great example for his siblings.
Brandon also received an Emergency Educational Grant in 2004 and 2005. He went on to graduate from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., and is now married and working at a fiber optics company.
Brandon, Lucas and Lindsay all value the Elks support they’ve received over the years and are glad the Elks were there when they needed them the most. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these siblings!
For a behind the scenes look at the video interview with Lucas and Lindsay, watch the video above or click here.
In 2011-12, the Elks National Foundation allocated $350,000 to fund the Emergency Educational Grant program for children of deceased or totally disabled Elks. If you know an Elk child who may be eligible to receive an Emergency Educational Grant, encourage them to visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars for information, including eligibility and deadlines.