Enfield Donations

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Charity's Local Reach
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Hartford Courant
August 13, 2003

ENFIELD -- Charitable giving is the foundation of Enfield Elks Lodge No.2222. Lots of local organizations benefit from its largesse every year. Recently, the lodge raised $27,000 for the Enfield family of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, who was killed in March fighting in the war in Iraq.

But even the Elks lodge went beyond its typical philanthropy with the recognition it won for a local soup kitchen.

Thanks to the efforts of the Elks, Enfield Loaves and Fishes is $3,000 richer. The Connecticut Elks Association ran a contest asking its [35] lodges to nominate the worthiest local charities. The Enfield Elks wrote about Loaves and Fishes.

At least one member has volunteered at the soup kitchen. So the local lodge knew how the service affects people who struggle to find their next meal. Awards were split among the state districts. Enfield was one of four winners.

Michael Ferguson, secretary of the Enfield Elks lodge, was the author of the letter that extolled the soup kitchen's good works. The power of the well-written word wasn't lost on him. He researched the organization, talked to its director and then set his inspired pen to paper.

Numbers were the evidence that made his case: 6,900 children fed last year, 5,400 families provided with food; hot meals served every weeknight in St. Andrews Church in Thompsonville and a brunch offered there on Saturday. The soup kitchen's reach is wide.

Each winner was expected to get $2,500. But the state organization had some extra money. Enfield got another $523.

The Elks is a group that does far more than people realize. And it works without fanfare, much recognition or much money.

Among big hitters, $3,000 may not seem like a lot. But for a soup kitchen that tries to get by on an annual operating budget of about $55,000, that money has an impact.

Fortunately for Enfield's needy residents, letter writing hasn't lost its power.