The Elks Scholar Month of Service is under way and Elks scholars are hard at work serving their communities in the name of the Elks!

Helping the Homeless in South Bend, Ind.

Notre Dame Elks scholars got together on April 5 to serve at the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, Ind. Led by 2009 MVS scholar Clara Ritger, the group sorted donated clothes to be given to guests.

“Participating in a service project with other Elks scholars built camaraderie and established ties with a local organization in need of dedicated volunteers,” says Clara. “I am so glad that our group got to spend time doing this.”

The Notre Dame Elks scholars were glad to get to know one another while serving, and the center was very appreciative of their help. Click here to watch a video of 2008 MVS scholar Dan McGrail serving at the Center for the Homeless.

Healing in Provo, Utah

Brigham Young University Elks scholars came together on April 9 for their Scholar Month of Service activity. Led by 2010 MVS scholar Daniel Edmondson, the BYU Elks scholars volunteered at an organization called Hoofbeats to Healing, which provides therapy for children with autism.

“It was really awesome,” says Daniel. “We all got to help walk the horses around with the kids, and we made some new friends!”

Serving Veterans in Frederick, Md.

Throughout April, Laura Pennington, an Elks scholar alum, is collecting clothes to be given to Vietnam veterans. By asking her neighbors for clothing donations and posting ads in her community, Laura has already collected five bags of clothing.

In addition to clothing, Laura is also collecting toiletries to be given to the local homeless shelter. We know Laura will make a big impact in her community during the coming weeks!

Learning Healthy Habits in Philadelphia, Pa.

Karen Li, an Elks scholar alum, held a healthy snacks workshop for elderly adults on April 8. Karen is in medical school at the Drexel University College of Medicine where she became interested in nutritional counseling.

At the workshop, Karen discussed the relationship between nutrition and chronic diseases with the adults, many of whom are refugees from Vietnam and China.

“An older gentleman approached me at the end of the workshop and said, ‘This has made me a better man,’” says Karen.

Click here to view an interactive map showing where Elks scholars are serving during the month of April and continue to check back for Elks Scholar Month of Service updates.

April is the Elks Scholar Month of Service. Throughout the month, Elks scholars across the country get together to service their communities in the name of the Elks.