International Falls Elks Lodge Report

The phrase “Elk’s Care Elk’s Share” is applicable to the International Falls Elk’s Lodge 1599 when it comes to youth activities. The local Elks lodge is there to serve the youth of this area, whether it’s the Elk’s Youth Camp, Falls High prom, scholarships, or award recognitions. The International Falls lodge received the “First Place in Youth Activities” award for lodges with 300-600 members at the 2009 state convention for the second year in a row.

The Falls lodge is hosting its sixth annual “Corn and Brat Feed” to help sponsor local scholarships. The feed is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and features all-you-can-eat corn, a burger or a brat, and a beverage for $6. The feed is open to the public and the Elk’s encourages families to attend.

This event is spearheaded by Past Exalted Ruler Judy Thompson and requires that help of many volunteers from the lodge to set up, cook, serve, and clean up. Proceeds from the feed go directly to the local scholarship fund.

In April of 2009, over $4,000 was awarded locally to seniors from Falls High School and the surrounding area. The 2009 scholarship recipients were Kristi Bloom, Daniel Eldien, Paul Imhof, Kelly Millerbernd, Kasshia Mostad, Taylor Raboin, Alexandra Ringhofer, and Aaron Skoglund.

Elk’s Lodge 1599 also participates in two scholarship programs sponsored by the Elk’s National Foundation which provides more than $3.64 million in college scholarships each year.

One of these programs is the
“Most Valuable Student” scholarship program which is open to any graduating high school senior who plans on obtaining a four-year college degree. Aaron Skoglund from International Falls become the recipient of a $2,000 Most Valuable Student award in 2009.

The second program is the “Legacy Award.” The Legacy Award is a merit based scholarship for children, step children, grandchildren or step grandchildren of Elk members of good standing. In 2009 the state of Minnesota was allotted four Legacy Awards. Three out of the four winners were from International Falls Lodge 1599. Zachary Johnson, Alexandra Ringhofer, and Jeana Toninato were each awarded $4,000 a year for four years.

More information about local scholarships, Elk’s National Foundation scholarships, as well as Emergency Educational Grants available to children of deceased or disabled Elks is available at Elk’s Lodge. 1599.