Elks Lodge Grants Early Childhood For Third Year In A Row

Excelsior Springs Elks Lodge group picture for early childhood grant — Staff at ESSD’s Early Childhood Center receive $6,000 grant from Elks Lodge. Elks Grant Committee members include: Rene Sisk, Jolene Loftin, Rhonda Amos, Judy Roos, and Junior Boyce. Photo submitted by Rhonda Amos.

For now the third year in a row, the Excelsior Springs Elks Lodge has gifted the Excelsior Springs School District’s Early Childhood Center with hundreds of learning tools, educational games, sensory items, and more that come directly from the early childhood teacher’s wish lists for their classrooms. The Childhood Center was originally nominated by Elks member Kim Jackson, but now the Lodge is dedicated to applying for funding through the Grand Elks Lodge, which appropriated $15.7 million to invest directly into Lodge communities throughout the nation.

In the past the grants have been $3,500, but this year the Lodge requested $6,000 and it was granted. All of the staff at the Early Childhood Center had an opportunity to submit their “wish list” to be considered. Using the social emotional framework known as Conscious Discipline, educators put together educational items for sensory and art, social emotional skills, curricular items, literacy, hygiene items, and supplies.

After giving their list to the Lodge, the Lodge members then go shopping for the items requested. In addition to presenting this to the staff at the Lodge, this week the donations will be delivered and like years in the past, the students will be the ones to unload multiple vehicles filled with toys and educational items meant just for them.

In total the Elks have gifted the Center with $12,000 worth of goods. Other recipients of Elks Lodge grants include Shop With a Cop, Civil Air Patrol, and the Girl Scouts. Their annual golf tournament raises thousands of dollars and are donated to a local person or family in need each year. If there is a local need that the Elks should consider, please call them at 816-630-2001.

Photos: Left, ESSD District Family Advocate Chelsea Lane gives Elks Lodge Grant Committee Chairwoman Rene Sisk a hug when presented with donations. Below, donations waiting to be taken to the ECC. Photos submitted.