The national leader of Elks of Canada is paying a visit to Williams Lake on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Jim McLeod of Sherwood Park, Alberta will attend the regular meeting of the local Cariboo Elks Lodge 239 on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The Elks of Canada and their affiliates, the Royal Purple are fraternal organizations founded in Canada in 1912 and have a total membership approaching 20,000 members.
Local president Wendel Schachtel says Elks of Canada raises millions of dollars a year for various community projects and charities.
“The Canadian grand lodge raised and spent $11 million in one year a couple of years ago,” Schachtel says.
The Elks and Royal Purple are dedicated to working for the good and welfare of the community with priorities for the needs of children, senior citizens, and many others in need.
Special concern has been placed on the need for the early identification and rehabilitation of hearing impaired children.
Locally the Elks and Royal Purple raise funds by renting the Elks Hall and hosting various fundraising events.
The next big fundraiser for the Elks is the Bernie and Red comedy night coming up at the Gibraltar Room on Friday, Sept. 27.