Welcome to the Connecticut Elks website.  The Connecticut Elks Association is one of the links in the our fraternal organization and the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

The Elks of Connecticut, some almost 22,000 strong, consists of 35 Lodges in four districts.  Of the 35 Lodges in our state, 17 can boast of 100 or more years of service to Elkdom and their communities.  We, the Connecticut Elks, are proud of the fact that we have the distinction of being the birthplace of two Grand Lodge Programs, the Elks National Foundation and the National “Soccer Shoot-Out”.  The idea of an Elks Charitable Trust was first introduced by endorsed candidate for Grand Exalted Ruler, John F. Malley at a banquet at our Meriden Lodge #35 on February 21, 1927.  At the 1928 Grand Lodge Convention in Miami, the delegates voted to establish the Elks National Foundation.  The “Soccer Shoot-Out” was originated by our Past Special Deputy, Francis Joyce of New Britain Lodge #957 and went on to become a national program.

The Lodges in our state actively participate in all the Grand Lodge Programs and through the efforts of our State, District, and Lodge Chairman, have achieved notable success the past few years in the areas of Drug Awareness, Elks National Foundation, Membership, and Youth Activities.  We are a leader in the Drug Awareness Program, have met the ENF goal , have achieved a plus in membership the past three years, and our Connecticut Elks Association Youth Activities Brochure has won 1^st place in the Grand Lodge contest the last ten years.  These accomplishments are a tribute to the interest and dedication of the members of our association to our Grand Lodge Programs.

We are in our 55^th year of our association with the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, formerly known as the Newington Children’s Hospital, as our Major Project.  Over these years, contributions from the Elks of Connecticut have enabled the facilities to purchase medical equipment and supplies for the treatment of children.  Our contributions, over those years, totaled almost three million dollars.  Since 1999, our emphasis with CCMC has been in the area of prevention of injuries to children.  We sponsor the hospital’s ‘Connecticut Safe Kids Program’, with an annual donation of $100,000.00 to run the program. In addition the Elks of Connecticut made a one-time donation of $250,000.00 towards the renovation of the hospital’s Emergency Waiting Room., which was dedicated in our honor.   Our association with the hospital has proven to be mutually beneficial for the pride and joy we receive in helping to provide a service for the children in our communities.

I welcome you to join us in promoting our Elks charities and programs. The committees are always in need of members to share their interest and efforts.  Information about our State programs can be obtained by contacting the State or District Chairman.  Your benevolence and involvement make the Connecticut Elks one of the great State Associations in the nation.  As members of the Connecticut Elks Association we truly believe and demonstrate that “Elks Care, Elks Share”

Gaetano ‘Buddy’ Patrizzi

State President

Connecticut Elks Association

This Page Last Updated: February 20, 2008