SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - This summer, Sacramento’s Elks Lodge No. 6 is inviting the community to say “aloha” for a cause.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Elks Lodge will transform into a tropical retreat as it hosts the Hawaiian ʻOhana Luau Dinner, a festive fundraiser dedicated to helping children with disabilities. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Elks Lodge, 6446 Riverside Blvd., and includes a night of island-inspired cuisine, music and a deep sense of community.

Raffle proceeds will go to The Purple Pig, the signature charity of the California-Hawaii Elks Association Major Project, Inc., which has raised more than $140.5 million since 1950 to provide free in-home therapy services to children in need. To benefit the Purple Pig charity, 90 percent of raffle proceeds will go to the Purple Pig Charity, with the remaining 10 percent supporting the ongoing efforts of Lodge No. 6.

But this is more than a fundraiser; it’s a cultural celebration grounded in the Hawaiian concept of ʻOhana, which means “family” but represents something even greater.

“ʻOhana is more than just family by blood; it’s about community, responsibility and caring for one another,” said co-hosts Susie Riddell and Yvonne York, both longtime Elks members. “It reflects the values of the Elks and our mission to serve not just our own but everyone in need.”

Guests can expect a full Hawaiian luau experience with traditional island dishes, live entertainment and the kind of heartfelt hospitality the Elks are known for. With a ticket price of $45, attendees will enjoy a night filled with food, fun and purpose, all in support of life-changing care for children.

The luau symbolism runs deep. In Hawaiian culture, the word “ohana” originates from the taro plant, which is a staple of diet and tradition. The word “oha” refers to the shoots that grow from the taro root and “ana” implies regeneration and continuity. This botanical metaphor reflects the belief that families and communities must nurture one another to thrive across generations.

That idea resonates deeply with Elks members, who have served Sacramento for more than 147 years, and who see their role as caretakers not only of tradition but of the future.

“Just like ʻohana, our lodge believes in standing together to support our most vulnerable, especially children,” said Riddell.

The event also marks a collaboration between the Sacramento Elks and their counterparts in Hawaii, with support from the Elks Grand Lodge in Chicago, reinforcing a broader commitment to unity and service nationwide.

In a message to the Sacramento community, Elks 6’s ER Rob Moore said, “So don your brightest aloha wear and come celebrate a night where every plate served and every dance shared helps uplift a child in need.”

Riddell and York encourage everyone to join them in celebrating Ohana.

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at the Elks Lodge, 6446 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento or by calling the office at 916-422-6666.

The California-Hawaii Elks Association Major Project, Inc., affectionately known as The Purple Pig, funds free physical, occupational and speech therapy services for children with disabilities. 

Since its inception in 1950, the California-Hawaii Elks Association Major Project, Inc. has been a beacon of hope for thousands of families across California and Hawaii, delivering compassionate care where it’s needed most: at home.