ER's Message

Holiday greetings to my Kinderhook Elks Family, friends, and members,

Thanksgiving is over! I'd say where did the year go? But I know where it went. It has been a busy year for me, not necessarily at the Lodge, but definitely at work and with family. I haven't been around much because of the shortness of workers at the PO. Long days have limited my availability. I am working on stepping away from many of the things I do at the Lodge... yup you’re all saying she keeps saying that but yet she doesn't change. There are four months left before the end of the Lodge year and as soon as I can I will make sure the sheet is up to either nominate yourself or someone else for a position at the Lodge. After December I am resigning from the third Sunday breakfast so if there is a member out there that would like to join a crew, please advise.

The deer hide program is in full swing!! Please pass the word, we need your hides!! This is a two fold benefit or maybe even a trifecta.... We collect the hides and sell them to the tannery, that money goes into the Vets Fund, which we in turn spend on the Vets. The hides are made into kits for Veterans to make gloves, slippers, etc. This gives them, in my opinion, something to do to continue to benefit themselves, the community, and others. At the moment it is being worked by four people, Al Lamarre, John Sundwall, myself and my brother David. Someone will need to step up for next year to help keep this program working and doing well.

April is the new Lodge year, Leslie Flynn and I are working together to make the new application for sponsorship out there in time to have the new placemats, the ads on the internet and sponsorship for the car show all in one form. This will also need a new person to run next year, maybe even two or three. The money that we raise helps us do more events with the Vets, and allows us to donate to organizations in the community. Last year we donated money to HAWS, healing a woman's soul, which helps women and children start a new life, when they are in an abusive relationship. We also made a nice donation to Breast Cancer research on behalf of all the women that help out at the Lodge. But it doesn't just help women. Did you know men can get breast cancer too?! Who knew?...

Clynk is another program that helps the Vets account. ALL the money raised goes into the Vets account, if anyone is interested in doing this program please contact me and I will give you all the information that you will need to get the bags, the tags, and label them and keep them in supply for members and the public to fill and add to the program.

Marion Stegmann is this month!!! The committee is doing a great job as always. We are hoping that Nina will be back soon and able to help Paige take this program over and take it to new heights. There are so many involved in this program for the betterment of the community. I still love hearing the stories about the happy faces, the excitement of families knowing that people care. Bringing food, toys, a smiling face, sometimes the smallest gesture brings the greatest reward.

Wednesday meals.... There aren't enough crews to keep this program going, so I am sorry to say this will be sporadic. Friday's are still a go, so please continue to support the Lodge and the community we are here to serve.

Rick Stegmann and his cohort Dave Mooney are cooking up the "THREE BUCK CHUCK" night! From the rumors the food is amazing, so on the Saturday that this event happens, stop by, enjoy friends and food. They have a drive for the Lodge and we need to feed that, this is how the Lodge moves forward. Stop by and support their efforts. It's a win win situation.

Nothing else to say!! Surprised aren't you? I can babble on and on! Seriously, the Lodge and the community we serve needs YOU!! Do what you can when you can!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and that you are surrounded by family, friends and loved ones!!

Thank you for everything you do, the friendships you continue to grow and everything you do for not only the Lodge but the community. One act of kindness paid forward helps change the world. Be a part of that change!!!

Fraternally,
Anne Marie Leiser
ER/PER