Wooster Elks continue charitable efforts with bicycle program
Funded by a grant from the Elks National Foundation, the Wooster Elks led an initiative focused on equipping local kids with everything they need for safe and responsible bicycle riding.
Elks lodges have contributed more than a half-billion dollars to various charities around the country. Many of those dollars in many of the years they’ve been collected have been geared toward children.
For Wooster Elks Lodge No. 1346, a recent focus has been exactly that. Throughout September the lodge, the Boys and Girls Club of Wooster, and the Wooster Police Department provided bicycles to children in need, part of a four-week program geared toward instruction, safety and fun.
Funded by a grant from the Elks National Foundation, the initiative focused on equipping the kids with everything they need for safe and responsible riding.
“We bought them bikes, tool kits, helmets, everything they needed,” said Elks Loyal Knight Jim Bowersock Jr., who spearheaded the program. “We get grants every year to use around the community for whatever we want to do to help better the community.
“When I got involved with these grants, I started calling around to the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs. They said they wanted to put together a bicycle program. We just went with it from there. At the end we’re giving the bikes to the kids. We’re going to keep doing it every year.”
The children received brand-new bikes, along with locks to ensure they could securely store and maintain their new rides. Wooster patrolman Kyle Moss led safety lessons while Tim Payne taught a bike maintenance course, giving the children the knowledge to care for their new bicycles.
The program had four tiers, beginning with a health and wellness program. Kids were taught how to eat correctly and how to exercise, including how bikes can be a part of that.
Payne then taught the youngsters how to do things like adjusting their helmets and even adjusting the bikes’ brakes. Moss followed with instruction on hand signals and led young riders through a safety course.
The program ended with a community bike ride and cookout.
“Next year we may try to get Orrville involved,” Bowersock said. “They have a Boys and Girls Club too. We’d like to get them involved.”
Exalted Ruler — a title bestowed on the top elected official at any Elks Lodge — Art Skufca III played a key role in leading Wooster Elks Lodge No. 1346 to success, having consistently supported and helped the local community through projects like this. Under his leadership the lodge has remained committed to making a difference for Wooster’s youth, according to a statement provided by the lodge.
Skufca credited Bowersock for securing a grant from the Elks National Foundation and the idea for the initiative that “aims to empower local children through education in bicycle maintenance and safety.”
“Recognizing the financial barriers many families face in affording bicycles, this program not only provides the children with new bikes, but also equips them with valuable skills that promote safety and responsibility, reinforcing the Elks’ mission of building stronger communities,” Skufca said. “The grant from the Elks National Foundation covered the cost of the bicycles, helmets, tool kits, bicycle locks and cookout for the kids at the Boys and Girls Club, their families, and those involved in the project.
“Ending with a cookout was a wonderful way to celebrate the kids’ excitement and learning.”
Once known as the Jolly Corks and originally consisting of 15 actors and entertainers among others associated with the theater, membership eventually began including members of all professions.
Less than a year after their formation, the Jolly Corks adopted The Elks moniker, which has lasted ever since.
Wooster’s Elks Lodge, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018, holds regular lodge meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to all Elks in good standing.
Known formally nationwide as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, there are more than 2,000 Elks Lodges nationwide, dating back to the years immediately following the United States Civil War and boasting more than 1.3 million members.
“We have our own 501(c)(3),” Bowersock said. “We do a lot of donating to a lot of groups. Last year we were in the $125,000 range of what we gave out. We haven’t done a lot of programs like this. This year we were trying to get these grants and get members involved with the communities so they know what the Elks are doing.”
Elks Lodges around the nation typically will do work for those in need, be that the elderly, veterans or kids. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for whomever they are working with.
Among their biggest pursuits are healthy and drug-free communities, educational programs and aid for disabled citizens.
Bowersock said the decision to aim Wooster Lodge’s work at kids just made sense.
“That’s where it’s the best to do things, for the kids, when they’re impressionable,” he said. “Doing things for kids is the best way to do it. These kids really appreciate it. It really makes a difference.”
Skufca said funds left over from the ENF grant will be used to provide meals to families in need with Thanksgiving dinners next month. He said his lodge is proud to be able to help families in the community who are struggling with the current economy.