SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - “Christmas is the most difficult time for less fortunate children in our community,” said Elks 6 Lodge Treasurer Joanne Martin to her fellow members, adding, “Let’s show them that Elks Care, Elks Share.”

Elks 6 is wrapping up a full week of ongoing activities caring for the community. The activities included the Dave Hamm Bike Drive, Toys for Local Kids Drive, the WEAVE Giving Tree and the annual Purple Pig eggnog night benefiting California-Hawaii Elks Association’s work with children.

The Dave Hamm Bike Drive is a unique event that began in 2007. The president of an Elks 6 Lodge is referred to as the Exalted Ruler and serves a one-year term beginning in April. In 2007, the exalted ruler resigned in August.

Elks 6 had a 25-year-old female member named Alexis Thompson. She was probably the youngest member in an organization dominated by older men. She also worked for Cook Realty, which was looking for a donation center and sponsor for Toys for the Troops Kids.

When the exalted ruler resigned, Stephen “Steve” Clazie, the leading knight or vice president, was immediately thrust into the leadership role. Thompson contacted him and said her boss at Cook Realty had a luncheon meeting the next day with the exalted ruler. Clazie knew nothing about the proposal for Elks 6 to become a donation center and sponsor for Toys for the Troops Kids.

Clazie met Thompson and her boss the next day and loved their proposal, especially because of the Elks pledge: “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”

Clazie said, “In early December, I saw Elks riding motorcycles. Our Sunday breakfast on Dec. 2 was very different because we participated in the Toys for the Troops Kids motorcycle ride. Our parking lot was full of motorcycles, and the riders were eating breakfast at our lodge wearing T-shirts stating that Sacramento Elks Lodge No. 6 was one of the three official sponsors for this toy drive.”

The T-shirts depicted an Elk riding a motorcycle. Clazie added, “Among the several Christmas toy drives in the Sacramento region, Toys for the Troops Kids was unique and special. The toys were for the children of American military personnel who were deployed away from home at Christmastime, or whose military parent had been killed in action since the tragedy of 9/11.” He also noted, “We had an overwhelming turnout of volunteers that morning to make this event happen.”

Another Elks 6 activity was supporting the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Drive. For many years, the lodge held an annual Christmas toy drive and donated the collected toys to Marine Toys for Tots. In 2008, Lodge First Vice President Richard Cherry was appointed to coordinate everything with Toys for Tots, and more than 10 years later, this decorated Vietnam veteran was still in charge.

That first year, in 2007, a member named Dave Hamm donated a bicycle. 

Clazie said, “I don’t know how many he donated the next year, but I think we had six bikes from Elks No. 6 in 2008. After that, he really got involved in collecting bicycles.”

Hamm was a loyal Elks member and passed away on Dec. 8, 2009, during what had become an annual bike drive at Elks 6.

Richard Cherry ensured that the Dave Hamm Bike Drive would continue as an annual event. The lodge has a special Dave Hamm account for collecting funds, and each year more than 15 bicycles are donated, along with many other toys.

This year members were encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped gift to the lounge or office for children approximately 12 years old or younger, or to donate to the Dave Hamm Bike Fund between Nov. 23 and Dec. 13.

Lodge Treasurer Joanne Martin said, “This is the third year we have been working with Greenhaven Soccer on donations. Bikes and toys will be donated to an organization called Outside the Walls, which provides gifts to children of incarcerated parents.” The lodge has been working with Beth Koster of Greenhaven Soccer to distribute the toys and bikes.

On a recent Sunday, Martin and fellow Elks delivered the donated bicycles – assembled by the PM Crew and others – to Greenhaven Soccer.  Current Elks 6 Exalted Ruler Rob Moore said, “The good work continues and is now championed by Joanne.”

Carol Mitchell, Elks 6 leading knight, said, “Another amazing holiday drive is the Giving Tree in our office lobby. The response has been amazing from our lodge members and friends. The gifts are stacked high. Dayna Shilling is the lead, and this charity benefits WEAVE.”

Shilling sent a flyer to all Elk 6 members announcing, “Again, we are supporting WEAVE families by granting children’s gift wishes. The tree will be up in the office November 13 and ends December 13. Please choose a tag from the tree, shop for the gift, and attach the tag to it. No need to wrap – gift bags are OK.” She added, “Remember, teens may want gift cards or items that are a little more costly.” She closed with, “As always, I thank my Elk brothers and sisters for sharing holiday cheer.”

On Dec. 16, Shilling assisted Rudy Toralez at the annual Past Exalted Rulers’ Purple Pig eggnog night benefiting California-Hawaii Elks Association’s work with children.

Past Exalted Ruler Ron Roberts said, “It is one of Elks 6’s most fun-filled and rewarding nights.”  

The evening began at 5 p.m., with Elks 6 members bringing donations for the Major Project so disabled children can Walk, Talk, See & Play. Each year, nearly $5,000 is raised at this event, with funds supporting the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project. These funds help make the following possible:

Over 2,500 children receive specialized in-home therapy.

More than 50,000 children benefit from preschool vision screening.

Since 1981, scholarships have been provided to students with disabilities seeking undergraduate degrees.

It is only through the generous donations of Elks to the Purple Pig that California-Hawaii Elks Major Project can provide services free of charge to families in need. The Major Project gives children and their families living with disabilities a second chance to live active, independent and happy lives.