CREEDE— The Creede Elks Lodge #506 received an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant from the Grand Lodge.
Henry Hosselkus, secretary of the lodge, explained how the grant money is used. The $2,000 grant was used to help some veterans with their light bills. A portion was given to the Creede Early Learning Center to purchase food for lunches. The third portion went to the Ladies Aid Sewing Sisters to purchase fabric, fleece, batting and yarn. They make blankets, lap robes, neck pillows, walker bags and stocking hats for the veterans at Homelake in Monte Vista. So far this year 91 items have been made.
They also make baby layettes for all new Creede babies and fleece blankets for community members who face illness or major surgeries.
In the past the grant money has been used to help with the After Prom Party, the Mineral County Fairgrounds activities and the Creede Youth Group.
The members of the Lodge donate to the ENF and in return, they can apply for grants that go out into the community.
Since 2012 the lodge has received over $36,000 in various grants that have gone back into the Creede Community and for the items made for the veterans at the Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake in Monte Vista.