I thought I'd share this recent experience with my fellow Elks
around Connecticut.
Being a Detective with a local Police Department I was
assigned to a child abuse investigation and had to respond
to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, in Hartford.
I went to the CCMC and did what I had to do police wise.
It then dawned on me that The Connecticut Elks Association
made a donation to the Center in the amount of $100,000.00.
I was amazed and humbled by how well the Medical Center was
organized and maintained. I never like to mix work with the
Elks, but I did during this investigation. I took the time
to walk around the Medical Center and went to the different
floors, and acted like I was lost, just so I could check the
Medical Center out.
If you've never had the opportunity to see the Medical
Center then you're really missing out. I can see why The
Connecticut Elks Association donated so much money, the
children within looked well taken care of, and had plenty of
things to do. I was honored to have been able to say hello
to some of the boys and girls has we passed each other in
the hallways. The medical staff appeared to be friendly,
and their love for the children deeply showed while they
played with some of the children, and cared for the
children.
I had a chance to speak with Dennis DiMauro PSP PDD who
elaborated on the relationship between the CEA and the CCMC.
The Connecticut Elks Association has been donating
$100,000.00 a year for a number of years. It is included in
each budget voted on at the Annual State Convention. Also
of note, the family waiting area for the emergency room was
renovated with a grant that the Connecticut Elks Association
provided in the amount of $250,000.00, and our name is
prominently displayed on the wall above the seating area,
and the two benches outside the entrance are inscribed with
a recognition to the Connecticut Elks for our generosity
over the years.
In closing I would highly recommend our Subordinate Lodges,
their members, and the Connecticut Elks Association continue
with future donations to the Hartford Children's Medical
Center.