COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Taking Pride in Our Community

The Elks Lodge of Jackson Hole takes pride in supporting our community through volunteerism, helping those in need, and offering scholarships to deserving students.

Sure, Elks lodges are great places to meet and gather with friends and family, but they are far more than that. Our lodges invest in our communities through financial assistance, student scholarships, veterans’ assistance, community service, drug awareness programs, and much, much more.

Veterans Support

Helping the brave men and women who have fought for our country.

Our veterans are the reason we enjoy the freedoms we have today yet, for many, life after combat is a struggle. They return from foreign shores with injuries and physical limitations as well as mental health issues and emotional scars. We need to help take care of them.

The Jackson Hole Elks host an annual Fly Fishing Week every September. In Partnership with Honoring Our Veterans Jackson Hole.

The Fly Fishing Week features fly casting instruction, a fly tying class and workshop, education on good river stewardship and the etymology of our region, and fly fishing trips on the beautiful waters of the historic Snake River in Jackson Hole. Veterans can apply online. To learn more about getting involved or to sign up to volunteer contact Pete Kendzior

Your local lodge hosts various fundraisers throughout the year whether its for Veterans personal needs or funds for a special project. Stay in the know of what is going on through the calendar and newsletter.

Wyoming Elks State Trust (WEST) provides food for homeless veterans and offer physical therapy for those who need it.

We make sure our veterans have front-row seats and refreshments for parades and services on national holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day (and Cheyenne Frontier Days!). We hold bingo games whenever we can. And, critically, we try to ease the suffering of veterans undergoing chemotherapy treatment at VA hospitals by providing snacks, bottled water and friendly company in the waiting room.

Providing for our children in need

We take care of Wyoming’s children in need any way we can.

Whatever the case may be, these children need someone to help them. We work with other local community organizations to coordinate to offer food collection, athletic events and other new and innovative ways to serve the youth of our community.

We help with everyday needs like clothing for school, glasses, winter clothing, beds and dental care. And we help during times of hardship, including medical crises and natural or human-made disasters with total loss of belongings. We provide nearly $50,000 in help every year and will consider any valid request that assists a child in Wyoming.

Please reach out on behalf of someone you know that may need a helping hand through the application and our officers will be in touch with you regarding how we can help.

Scholarships

Every year, we offer scholarships to exceptional local High School graduates who hope to continue on with their education.

The Jackson Hole Elks Lodge, the Wyoming Elks State Trust, and Elks National Foundation offer a variety of scholarships to deserving students continuing their education.

The local Jackson lodge scholarships are available for Teton County, wY students and members kids and grandkids.

  • ELKS Lodge Fred Houchens Memorial Scholarship
    Criteria: Merit, extra-curricular activities, honors/awards, leadership, employment, and resourcefulness.  Value: $4,000 ($1000 per year for four years)

  • ELKS Lodge Fred Houchens Jr. Memorial Scholarship
    Criteria: Merit, extra-curricular activities, honors/awards, leadership, employment, and resourcefulness. Value: $4,000 ($1000 per year for 4 years).

  • ELKS Lodge Jim Taylor Memorial Scholarships
    Criteria: Merit, extra-curricular activities, honors/awards, leadership, employment, and resourcefulness. Value: $1000 to a male recipient and $1000 to a female recipient.

  • ELKS Lodge Fernando Escobedo Career & Technical Scholarship
    Criteria: Merit, leadership, and resourcefulness for those entering accredited two-year career and technical education programs. Value: $2,000.00 ($1000 per year for 2 years).

  • ELKS Lodge Gabriel Schiers Music and Arts Scholarship
    Criteria: Merit and honors/awards for those entering accredited music and/or arts related programs. Value: $2,000.00 ($1000 per year for two years).

To learn more about Wyoming State Elks Scholarships visit the Wyoming Elks State Trust (WEST)

Scholarship applications and more information can be found online through a partnership with the Fund for Public Education.

Elks National Foundation Scholarship Information

The Elks National Foundation provides more than $3 million in college scholarships each year through its three scholarship programs. The application process and deadlines vary for each program. All applications must go through a local Elks Lodge before reaching the Elks National Foundation office. Contact your high school counselor for more information or your local Elks Lodge.

Most Valuable Student – 500 four-year scholarships, ranging from $1,000 per year to $15,000 per year, for graduating high school seniors based on financial need, leadership and scholarship.

Legacy Student – Four-year, $4,000 merit-based scholarships for children and grandchildren of Elks who are members in good standing.

Emergency Education Fund – One-year educational grants available to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks.

Scholar Resource Center – Search these free online databases to find other scholarships available for students.