HR0804 LRB093 21723 HSS 49510 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois are pleased to honor the Marion Elks B.P.O.E.
4 800 for its many contributions to the community; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The Marion Elks participate in several events
6 throughout the year; its two main charities are the Elks
7 National Foundation and the Elks Crippled Children's Program;
8 and
 
9     WHEREAS, The Elks National Foundation (ENF) was created in
10 1928 and to be the Philanthropic arm of the Benevolent and
11 Protective Order of Elks of the USA; the 3 outstanding
12 characteristics of the ENF include that it is a permanent fund,
13 its contributions are raised by voluntary gifts, and the entire
14 income from the principal fund is available for the Elks'
15 Charitable and Benevolent work; and
 
16     WHEREAS, The Illinois Elks Crippled Children's Program
17 generates direct assistance to physically challenged children
18 and scholarship assistance to physical/occupational therapy
19 students in Illinois; the Marion Elks sponsor several
20 fundraisers each year for this fund, including an annual dart
21 tournament and an auction with prizes and gifts donated from
22 local business and members of the lodge; the group raises an
23 average of $7,000 to $10,000 a year for the Elks Crippled
24 Children's Program; and
 
25     WHEREAS, The Marion Elks also provide assistance to people
26 in their own community and area; each year the group cooks at
27 the fair for DCFS, where they serve anywhere from 2,000 to
28 4,000 children and foster parents; the group also holds a Labor
29 Day Cookout at the State Fair, serving 2,000 to 3,000 people;
30 the Lodge sponsors an annual 4th of July event at Lake Egypt
31 with fireworks; members of the Elks participate in several

 

 

HR0804 - 2 - LRB093 21723 HSS 49510 r

1 events throughout the Marion area to help raise money for
2 things such as Main Street and the Civic Center; the group
3 sponsors an annual Christmas Party with Santa and gifts for
4 underprivileged children; and
 
5     WHEREAS, One member of the Marion Elks, Penny Bagbey, has
6 been honored by the Elks State Association for his work with
7 veterans at that Veterans Hospital in Marion; throughout the
8 year, Mr. Bagbey and several other members make monthly trips
9 to the hospital and nursing home; Mr. Bagbey holds fishing
10 trips, cookouts, and several other events each year for the
11 veterans; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Another charitable event that the Marion Elks
13 sponsor is Kozy Kidz; this is set up as a local charity to help
14 buy coats and gloves for children in Marion; in the past 7
15 years, the charity has raised approximately $24,000; purchased
16 over 800 coats; helped a homeless family with 2 children get an
17 apartment, and obtained donations of furniture, clothing, and
18 household supplies; and provided children from 6 families a
19 Christmas that they would not have had otherwise; therefore, be
20 it
 
21     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
22 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
23 that we honor the Marion Elks B.P.O.E. 800 for its many
24 contributions to the community; and be it further
 
25     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
26 presented to the Marion Elks B.P.O.E. 800 as an expression of
27 our respect and esteem.