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ENF Announces Drug Awareness Promise Grants
Chicago: In an ongoing effort to support the Elks Drug
Awareness Program in preventing youth substance abuse, the ENF has announced
that the 2005 Promise Grants program will begin in November. The program
encourages Lodges to sponsor positive and healthy activities that engage the
youth in their community.
"Elks are great believers in the youth of our
country," says Drug Awareness Director Kent Gade. "We are hard
workers who love our children, and we need to show it by keeping them off drugs
and alcohol."
Promise Grants are awarded to the first 250 Elks Lodges that
pledge to hold events free of drugs, alcohol and violence. Examples
include, but are not limited to, After-Prom parties, graduation parties, teen
dances, pool parties, youth lockins, back-to-school events or Red Ribbon
Celebrations.
"Alcohol and drug use isn't what it used to be,"
says Gade. "It's the number one youth health issue. As a leading
fraternal organization we have to step up."
Through assistance from the ENF funded Elks Drug Awareness
Program, the Lodges will receive reimbursement for expenses of up to $200.
To be eligible for reimbursement, Lodges must hold the youth events between
April 1, and November 30, 2005.
"Battling youth substance abuse is one of the most
difficult challenges facing Lodge communities," says John Traynor, ENF
Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "By funding programs like the Promise
Grants, the Foundation empowers local Lodges with the resources to confront this
problem."
By providing young adults with a safe environment where they
have positive interaction with peers and caring adults, the events will have a
lasting effect on the entire community. According to the US Department of
Education, children who attend after-school programs have better grades and
conduct in school; more academic and enrichment opportunities; better peer
relations and emotional adjustment; and lower incidences of drug-use, violence
and pregnancy.
Lodges can help promote a drug-free lifestyle in their
community by completing the Promise Grants pledge forms that will be mailed to
Lodge Drug Awareness Program chairs in November. Starting November 1,
pledge forms will also be available online at www.elks.org/enf/promisegrants.cfm.
The Elks National Foundation must receive completed pledge forms no later than
March 31st, 2005.
For more information, contact Eliza Lazar, Elks National
Foundation, 2750 North Lakeview Ave., Chicago, Il, 60614, elizal@elks.org.
773/755-4864.