To the editor:

We would like to thank the residents of Saranac Lake and the surrounding communities for voting the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1508 as the Best in the Mountains Civic Organization 2025. We recognize there are many strong civic groups that contribute so much to support our communities, and we are humbled by this honor.

Some of the Elks’ projects include:

¯ Funding for over 200 individually made quilts for veterans in St. Joseph’s Veterans’ Treatment Center, 2016-2025.

¯ Purchase of an AED for the Saranac Lake Youth Baseball Association to be on the field at all games.

¯ Annual sponsorship of a youth T-ball team.

¯ Annual award of a $500 Academic Scholarship to a Saranac Lake or Lake Placid high school senior.

¯ Funding for two SL Senior Center Projects.

¯ Financial support to purchase 50 sets of backcountry equipment to support North Country Forest Rangers and First Responders.

¯ Provided funding to ADK Health Foundation to purchase COVID-19 test kits for individuals unable to pay.

¯ Providing the Elks Club for a meeting place free of charge to the Winter Carnival Committee, the Lawn Chair Ladies and other qualifying groups.

This year marks our 100th anniversary as an Elks Lodge. To celebrate, we are offering a raffle with only 300 tickets available for $100 each. Cash prizes are $10,000, $2,000, $500 and seven at $200. Tickets are available at Evergreen Auto Center, Romano’s Saranac Lake Lanes and any Elks member and will be sold at many community events. A golf tournament is also being planned at the beautiful Tupper Lake Golf Club (more details to come soon).

To learn more about the raffle, community projects, golf tournament or to join us as a member, email our Lodge at Elkslodge1508@gmail.com.

Kathleen Bowler

BPOElks #1508

Saranac lake