ST. GEORGE —This not-for-profit has been making a difference in the lives of families and children of all ages throughout Washington County since 1948.
“We’ve been serving this community,” Betty Archambault, St. George Elks Lodge Secretary said. “We’ve given millions of dollars back to the community in the form of charity and scholarships and donations and so on.”
Christmas time was no exception, with two charity trees and a charity Christmas dinner. The Vetran’s Tree was filled with stars that were given to various retirement homes throughout St. George. Each home wrote what the veteran wanted on each star along with what facility they came from, and the stars were put back up on the tree.
Archambault said most veterans asked for things like socks, underwear, pajamas and slippers. Members of the lodge ensured that every veteran had their wishes come true.
“Last time I checked, the tree was totally void of stars,” Archambault said in the pre-Christmas interview. “So every single veteran, and I think there’s something over 200 stars were on the tree.”
Elks Lodge also does an Angel Tree every year, with the purpose of helping children in need throughout the community. Names were provided by the homeless advocate for the Washington County School District and teachers, and others were nominated by the community.
The Elks Lodge also sets up food donation drives at various schools. After collecting the donations, the food is sorted and put into boxes for donations.
For those who may not be able to afford a traditional Christmas dinner, the lodge puts on a free Christmas dinner every year. Two large back rooms at the lodge are filled with gifts, stretched out on tables and organized by gender and age. The lodge room serves up to 400 people on Christmas day.
“They take buses over, they walk over, however they can get here,” she said about the charity Christmas dinner. “Some people come in groups, sometimes it’s family, sometimes it’s just one individual. And then they eat however much they want. It’s such a great day.”
But charity from the Elks Lodge isn’t just a Christmas task. They’re giving year-round.
Archambault said the lodge gives out about $35,000 in scholarships every year. Nationally, they’re the largest charitable organization giving out scholarships outside the federal government’s veteran programs.
“We have four tenets that we live by,” she said. “Charity is the most honorable, and that’s the one we live by the most. Justice: when a person becomes an Elk, they swear to uphold all the laws of the community, the constitution, the laws of the Elks Lodge and so on. Brotherhood: we believe you treat everybody how you want to be treated. The last one is fidelity – that you’re faithful to your family, to your organization, whatever you commit to, you really commit.”
Archambault’s father started the North Las Vegas Elks. When she was a struggling single parent of two, the elks gave her her first care package. When she moved to St. George in 2005, she knew it was time to give back to the organization that had given her so much.
“We’re very invested in our youth,” she said. “We’re very invested in our veterans. We’re very invested in our senior citizens. Wherever we see a need within the community, we try to fill it.”
Those interested in donating to the many charity programs through Elks Lodge may visit the lodge in person at 630 W 1250 North in St. George. For more information, visit their website.
Photo Gallery
Tags hang from the Angel Tree inside the Elks Lodge with information on children in need, St. George, Utah, Dec. 11, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Tags hang from the Angel Tree inside the Elks Lodge with information on children in need, St. George, Utah, Dec. 11, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
The Vetran's Tree is lit up inside the Elks Lodge in St. George, Utah, Dec. 11, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Tags hang from the Angel Tree inside the Elks Lodge with information on children in need, St. George, Utah, Dec. 11, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Live entertainment takes place during a charity Christmas dinner at the Elks Lodge, St. George, Utah, Dec. 25, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Dixie Elks Lodge, St. George News
Volunteers serve attendees at the charity Christmas dinner at Elks Lodge, St. George, Utah, Dec. 25, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Dixie Elks Lodge, St. George News
St. George Elks Lodge Secretary Betty Archambault takes St. George News on a tour of their facility, St. George, Utah, Dec. 11, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Volunteers serve attendees at the charity Christmas dinner at Elks Lodge, St. George, Utah, Dec. 25, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Dixie Elks Lodge, St. George News
Volunteers serve attendees at the charity Christmas dinner at Elks Lodge, St. George, Utah, Dec. 25, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Dixie Elks Lodge, St. George News
Attendees enjoy a free Christmas dinner at Elks Lodge in St. George, Utah, Dec. 25, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Dixie Elks Lodge, St. George News
Gifts line the tables, ready to be given out during a charity Christmas Dinner at Elks Lodge in St. George, Utah, Dec. 25, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Dixie Elks Lodge, St. George News
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