Quinn Jerriey

The high unemployment rate, the number of foreclosures and the general downturn in the economy not only affects individuals and businesses, but in Lehigh, the worsening economy is having an adverse effect of the Elks Lodge 2602 on Joel Blvd.

If things don’t change, the Elks could find themselves without a lodge and a presence in Lehigh Acres.

But members and officers don’t intend for that to happen. Quinn Jerriey, a Loyal Knight in the Elks Lodge and a spokesman for the organization, sat down the other day with John Hammer, a founding member, to talk about how to save the Elks.

“There is no doubt that we have done a lot over the years for the children and families of Lehigh Acres. We have presented scholarships, held fund-raisers to help others and we don’t intend for that to stop,” he said.

But membership has dropped drastically over the past few years and Elks members are looking at ways to bring in more members.

John Hammer

Hammer, who was among the 161 charter members who organized the Lehigh Elks Lodge 2101 in November of 1979, said most of the founding members are gone, either have passed away or have moved away.

“I want to see the Elks survive in Lehigh Acres and I am sure we can, but we are looking at the finances and we must do some things in order to survive and continue to do good things for Lehigh.

“After all we were founded as a philanthropic group and we want to continue the good things the Elks have done,” Hammer said.

Jerriey noted that the present membership of the Lodge is at 248. He said just seven years ago, membership was at 400 plus. The highest membership figures ever however were 747. Membership is extended to both men and women.

These financial problems are also facing other organizations in the community such as some of the service clubs whose membership is declining and younger people are not joining.

Elks Lodge 2602 is presented located in this building at 1050 Joel Blvd. in Lehigh. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Jerriey said the first thing the Lodge plans to do is downsize and by that he said, it meant selling the building of 12,000 square feet at 1050 Joel Blvd., and finding a much smaller building, maybe half that size. They could rent or purchase the building. Presently there is an interested party for the purchase of the Lodge.

“If and when we sell, we will need a site with a kitchen and enough room for our events. We have things like dinner dances and other programs, so that is important to us,” Jerriey said.

Membership to belong to the Elks is $77 a year. When one first joins, there is also a one time $50 initiation fee.

“We don’t think that is a big problem because members can pay their fees over time,” Hammer said. “But with less people with jobs, and with us with fewer members, we are feeling the pinch,” Hammer said.

Recruitment must become an important endeavor if the Elks is going to survive and members are coming to realize they must increase their ranks.

Present officers of the Elks Lodge are as follows:

Exalted Ruler, Larry D’Angelo.

Leader Knight, Andrew Skiva.

Loyal Knight, Quinn Jerriey and Lecturing Knight, Makaneole “Maka” Kawelo.

“Our building is for sale. Although we have a party interested in it, others who may have an interest can contact the Elks.

The Elks Lodge of Lehigh Acres is very active in the community. They present scholarships locally, and help students to go through the state and national level to earn college scholarships. They hold annual events such as a Hoop Shoot and a Soccer Shoot. They conduct drug awareness programs for local students and they celebrate Drug Awareness Week with the wearing of red ribbons. They hand out coloring books and rulers to area school students.

They collect toiletries and other items to send to Bay Pines near Tampa, a veterans hospital.

The Elks Lodge also hold events for the public such as a ribs dinners on the first and third Tuesday of every month; a beer-battered fish bake every Friday night for $6.50. They host dinner dances every other Saturday with live entertainment at a cost of $15 per person. Entertainment includes well-known groups such as Le Deux, the K-Tones and Lounge entertainers.

Jerriey noted that the income from these events go to help in the community.

“That is why we need the support, too, of the people of Lehigh. We offer the greatest food and we have great dinner dances with lots of fun. We encourage people who have never been to an Elks function to attend one,” he said.

When the Elks find another place and have sold their building on Joel Blvd., nothing changes about the events. They will continue, and more things may be planned.

“We have to be careful and go slow in our downsizing. We want to continue to stay in the public eye,” founding member Hammer said.

The only thing private at the Elks is the actual business meetings held the second and fourth Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. each month. This is when the business is discussed, events planned and thoughts exchanged about keeping the Elks alive in Lehigh.

“It’s important for us to attract younger members,” said Jerriey, who is 51. Founding member Hammer is 74.

Jerriey said at each meeting, deceased members referred to as “absent members” are honored. Last year, he said five members passed away and already this year, four have died.

Jerriey said members come from all professions and occupations.

“We want a good representation of our community as members,” he said. He noted that the Elks Lodge is a ‘no smoking facility’ and to be a member, there are two requirements: you must be an American citizen and must hold a belief in God.

In the meantime, Jerriey said the Elks are conducting business as usual. Their large facility on Joel Blvd. can be booked for dinners, anniversary parties, wedding receptions and large meetings. They will provide the food for meals, etc.

What’s the future for the Elks Lodge in Lehigh?

Jerriey said the Elks will continue, but for the present time, they must downsize, but that will not affect their events,” he said. “We need to get more people interested in being a part of a great organization. We need to get our story out.”