2023 Memorial Day Issue

Elks’ Youth Division Inspires Empathy, Volunteerism
Story by ELLEN WILKOWE
Photos by Karen Fucito
It’s Friday night and the weekend is finally in
full view and wide open with possibilities.
For a select group of youths, Friday night may
mean heading to Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge
#782 in Mount Arlington and serving up dinner
to members and the community at large.
Add to that schoolwork, sports, social lives
and other assorted extracurricular activities,
and it’s just another week in the life of an Antler,
otherwise known as a junior Elk.
Steeped in history, the Antlers were organized
in the late 1930s as the youth division of the Elks.
According to the Elks USA website, the group
was formed as a means for “young people in
our communities to get involved with the Elks
in the many service-related projects” sponsored
by local lodges.
The program is open to 12- to 21-year-olds.
The qualifications for membership are to be an
American citizen, a person of good character
and to believe in the existence of God. As with
the Elks, the Antlers program is also deeply
rooted in patriotism while fostering respect for
parents and love of home.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
was launched in 1867 by a group of theatrical
men who called themselves the Jolly Corks and
met often for their own amusement. After the
death of a member—who left behind a wife
and children—the entertainers decided the
group needed to use their talents as a way to
serve those in need. The group adapted many
traditions and formalities from the Freemasons
and always put service to others at the forefront
of their mission.
The Elks remained a men’s-only organization
until 1995, when women were admitted. The
Lake Hopatcong Antlers currently reflects a
greater young women to young men ratio and
boasts 18 members.
Two of these members are Adrianna Martin,
18, of Rockaway, and her brother Matthew, 15.
The lodge community has been part of the
siblings’ upbringing. Their mother, Samantha
Martin, is exalted leader and has been involved,
along with husband, Eric, with the Elks for more
than 20 years.
“Our kids grew up in the lodge,” said Samantha
Martin. “We were there all the time.”
They still are, except now, she said, their
children are official members as well.
The experience made such an impact on her
daughter that, when she became of age, she
wanted to join, as did Martin’s son when he
became eligible.
“I grew up around the lodge, so I’ve been
around the Antlers since I was very young,”
Adrianna Martin said.
The involvement has broadened her horizons
in terms of making new friends, having
new experiences and helping people in the
community.
Kaitlyn Erickson, 18, of Rockaway, also came
into the Antlers by way of family members who
were immersed in lodge life.
“My parents and some of my parents’ friends
were involved as members of the Elks Lodge
before I joined,” she said.
Erickson initially tested the waters by
volunteering to serve Friday night dinners, and
her future involvement snowballed from there.
“After a short time, I really began to enjoy
volunteering and got involved in doing summer
barbecues, holiday events, working events for
children with special needs, our annual Leap in
the Lake.”
Erickson ramped up her involvement even
more after being elected to the Antlers’ board
where she first served as secretary for the youth
program and then as president. She currently
holds the position of chaplain.
“During these years, I got involved a lot
more with the lodge and getting to know the
members and those who help out with events,”
she said. “Each individual I meet is extremely
kind and wanting to help the community.”
Over the years, Samantha Martin noticed
that kids like Erickson—as well as her own—
who have
been exposed
to the Elks’
combination of
volunteerism
and altruism, have developed compassion for
the causes at hand—specifically children with
special needs and veterans.
With a tenet of patriotism, the Elks attract
veterans as members and visitors, especially
to the Friday night dinners where the Antlers
volunteer as servers.
The youth group also participates in Leap
in the Lake, an annual lodge fundraiser for
children with special needs. Antlers can be
found not only helping during the event but
also participating, putting together a team and
raising money.
Funds are also raised from earnings received
from the lodge’s clothing donation bins, hosting
one of the weekly Wednesday night barbeques,
the annual Mother’s Day flower sale and other
lodge events.
Each month, the Antlers give $100 of the
money they’ve raised to a charity of its choice.
Some of the organizations that have reaped
the benefits of their efforts include: Roots
& Wings, a nonprofit that works with foster
children; Eleventh Hour Rescue, an animal
Top to bottom, left to right: Volunteers, including
London Long, center, prepare and serve food at
the annual fish fry at the Lake Hopatcong Elks
Lodge. Volunteers, including Antlers Kaitlyn
Erickson, center, and London, right, in the lodge
kitchen. Samantha Martin and her daughter,
Adrianna Martin. Erickson busses tables during
a recent Friday night dinner.
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LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Memorial Day 2023