Local Elks Lodge provides coats, books for kids through Warm the Library project
The Breckenridge Elks Lodge, #1480, accomplished two goals with one project on Saturday, Nov. 23.
The Warm the Library project provided coats to 90 local children, while at the same time providing them with books and making sure they are familiar with the Breckenridge Library.
The Breckenridge organization combined two grants from the Elks National Foundation — the Spotlight Grant and the Beacon Grant — for the project. They teamed up with the Breckenridge Library, which opened up on Saturday for the activity. Nationwide, the Elks Lodge partners with Operation Warm, an organization that manufactures coats for children in need.
The Elks Lodge worked with the local schools to sign up families in need of coats this winter. Additionally, the organization provided coats to 18 children via Child Protective Services.
The families visited the library on Saturday to pick up the coats. While they were there, the kids also had the opportunity to choose a new book provided by the Elks Lodge, and they could sign up to get a library card.
“It’s all about contributing back to the community,” said Elks member Wayne Justus. “To give back to the community is our whole purpose.”
The Breckenridge Library, located at 209 N. Breckenridge Ave., is open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The next project for the local Elks Lodge is the annual Hoop Shoot free throw contest. The competition will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, at LT Cook Gym, located at North Smith Street and West Jeannette Street.
Participation in the Hoop Shoot, a nationwide free throw contest sponsored locally by Elks Lodge No. 1480, is free for boys and girls ages 8 to 13. The contest is divided into three age groups: 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13. The age groups are based on the participants’ ages as of April 1, 2020.
The first and second place winners in each category will receive medals, and the winners will be eligible to participate in the district contest. The Elks Lodge will provide gas money for that trip.
For more information about the Hoop Shoot, call Wayne Justus at 254-477-3941.
Local Elks Lodge members and Breckenridge Library employees, volunteers and board members gathered on Nov. 23 to distribute coats and books to some local children through the Elks’ Warm the Library project. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Story by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
Cutline, top photo: Volunteers sort some of the coats that were given away at the Breckenridge Library through the Elks Lodge #1480 Warm the Library project. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
