About Us
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the country. Since its inception in 1868, the Order of Elks has grown to include nearly 1.2 million men and women in almost 2,200 communities. We do not question one's religion, nor do we exclude anyone because of creed, race, ethnic origin, educational attainment, vocation, marital status, or physical stature. We love our country and do not seek to impose different beliefs in place of personal commitments to God, Family, and Country, nor do we ask anyone to act in any manner contrary to the dictates of their conscience. We do not permit religious or political differences to intrude into our organization.
On the National Level, over the past 135 years, the Elks have distributed over $3 billion in cash, goods and services to the nation's youth, its veterans, the disadvantaged and handicapped and supported patriotic and civic programs. The Elks National Foundation was established in 1928 and is an endowment fund that has grown to over $320 million with only the interest from the fund being expended. The Elks National Foundation's mission is "helping Elks build stronger communities." We do this by providing tomorrow's leaders, our youth, with a healthy beginning, by providing more scholarships than any organization besides the U.S. Government. For our veterans, the Elks' pledge that, "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them". We do this locally and nationally; the Elks started the very first Veterans Hospital.
Preamble, Constitution of the Georgia Elks Association
This Association of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodges of the State of Georgia is formed to unite all Elks in closer bonds of fraternity, to further good fellowship among Lodges, to protect and promote the interest of this Order in the State, and to bear true allegiance to the Constitution and Laws of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America.
The Georgia Elks Association Major Project
For the past 70 years, the Georgia Elks Association has provided charitable services to Georgia's children, youth and their families. Beginning in 1938, the Georgia Elks Association founded the Crippled Children's League of Georgia, which served physically handicapped children through out-patient clinics in metro-Atlanta. The services were so well received that the Georgia Elks built Elks Aidmore Hospital in 1954 to provide more intensive treatment and rehabilitation services. In 1977, the hospital was sold to Emory University. Always innovative, the Georgia Elks retooled and developed a new program, Elks Aidmore Children's Center, located on 125 acres in Conyers, Georgia. Elks Aidmore Children's Center serves young women, ages 12-21, who are in transitional crisis in their lives. Handicapped by factors beyond their control, Elks Aidmore provides a safe haven in which they can regain their hopes and dreams. The mission is simple: "Everyday we will strive to provide a loving environment where each child in our care feels safe, encouraged, supported and worthy of a good life". For more information about Elks Aidmore Children's Center and ways in which you can help, visit our website at www.elksaidmore.com.