Use the Amazon Smile program to have 0.5% of your purchases donated to Connecticut Elks Association Charities

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by John Simko PDD

To All Lodges and Members,

 

Amazon is holding their 2019 Prime Day for 2 FULL DAYS, July 15 and July 16. Prime Day deals will begin at 2:59AM ET on Monday, July. 15.
 
Please remind your members that by using Amazon Smile and selecting The Connecticut Elks Association Charities Inc, as their charity of choice, The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases.
 
Please see below more information about The Connecticut Elks Association Charities, Inc. and Amazon Prime Day 2019.
 
 
Connecticut Elks Association Charities, Inc. - CTElks

Our Mission Statement:  To assist the veterans, youth, and communities in the good work of the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks.

Our Goal:  The Connecticut Elks Association Charities Inc. enjoys continued support of funders from our approximately 20,000 members within Connecticut, which services as a springboard for success in accomplishing our annual goals of providing Scholarships to students, strengthening our support to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Safe Kids Program, the Connecticut State Special Olympics and giving back to our local communities to support our veterans and youth.

Our History:  We have provided a student from each subordinated lodge’s community a $1,500 scholarship funds raised and contributions from the Elks National Foundation.

The Association has donated over 4.5 million dollars to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Safe Kids program. Since 1968 we made annual donations of $100,000.

Connecticut Special Olympics Winter Games which we are a major sponsor with annual contributions of $30,000.

In addition to the above we also support: our Veterans by providing assistance for Veterans activities, charitable organizations in our communities, the youth of our communities funding state wide Soccer Shoot Skills Event and Basketball free throw contest, and foster programs to heighten awareness of the consequences of drug use.

The Present:  The new Connecticut Elks Association Charities Inc. remains on a steady trajectory of growth, staying relevant to its mission and core goals. The Connecticut Elks Association Charities Inc. is continuing ongoing programs and projects described in “Past” listings and expanding those initiatives.

The Connecticut Elks Association in 2015 established a 501(c)(3) Corporation. (See IRS approval letter)

 HOW CAN YOU HELP?

 
  Make a tax deductible donation to support all our endeavors or chose to designate it to one of our programs, Scholarship, Veterans, Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot, Community Services, Special Olympics, Connecticut Children's Medical Center Safe Kids Program.
     
  Check with your employer to see if they will match your gift to our non-profit organization.
     
  Check with other companies you do business with that will make a direct donation to our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
     
  Do you use Amazon?  Visit smile.amazon.com and select "Connect Elks Association Chairities" and 0.5% of your purchases go toward Major Projects at no cost to you!  
  Find an organization that will contribute to our non-profit for a referral or purchase of goods. (H&R Block Refferal Form) 
     
  Noncash Assets such as securities, life insurance, retirement funds, can also be contributed. Please seek advice of an attorney or tax advisor for applicability to your own situation.
     
  Tribute gifts to honor someone or a memorial gift in someone's memory are a exceptional way of showing that "ELKS CARE ELKS SHARE".
     
  Finally, please keep us in mind when preparing your Estate Plan.
     
   

100% of funds donated are used to support our programs.
     
   

 
Amazon Prime Day 2019: Start Date and Best Deals So Far

What is AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from over one million organizations to support.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile?

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations?

Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible.

Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?

Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.comwill result in a donation.

Can I change my charity?

Yes, you can change your charity any time. Your AmazonSmile purchases after the change count towards your newly selected charity. To change your charity, sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser and simply select “Change your Charity” in “Your Account.”

What charities can I choose from?

You can choose from over one million eligible 501(c)(3) public charitable organizations.

What if my selected charity does not register to participate in the AmazonSmile program or becomes ineligible?

If your selected charity does not register to participate, becomes ineligible, or requests to be removed from the program, you will have a chance to select a different charity to receive the accrued donations that have not yet been disbursed to your charity. If you do not select a different charity, the accrued donations will be distributed to other organizations receiving donations.

If I represent a charitable organization, how can I learn more about registering my organization for AmazonSmile?

Go to org.amazon.com to learn how to register your organization to receive donations.

How much of my purchase does Amazon donate?

The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. From time to time, we may offer special, limited time promotions that increase the donation amount on one or more products or services or provide for additional donations to charitable organizations. Special terms and restrictions may apply. Please see the relevant promotion for complete details.

Can I receive a tax deduction for amounts donated from my purchases on AmazonSmile?

Donations are made by the AmazonSmile Foundation and are not tax deductible by you.

How can I learn more about AmazonSmile?

Please see complete AmazonSmile program details.

 
 

State President Michael Bonini Carries the Connecticut Flag During Opening Ceremony for the Grand Lodge Convention.

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State President Michael Bonini pictured with his wife Dotty stand in front of the podium at the 155th Annual Convention.  

Congratulations to GER Robert L. Duitsman!

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Robert Duitsman was elected as our 2019-2020 Grand Exalted Ruler at the National Convention in St. Louis, MO.  See below for a biography of our newly-elected GER!

 
For more information, click here.

 

Mitten Tree Project Update!

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Pete G. Nelson, PDD - Manchester Lodge No. 1893

 
The donations continue to come in for Brenda Williams "Mitten Tree". Thanks again to Mike and Sharon Stewart, another full bag of hats, mittens, gloves, and scarfs have been collected and turned over to Brenda to give to CCMC.
 
And a special THANK YOU to Monsignor Tony from St. Patrick's Cathedral, for his generous donation of three bags of stuffed animals. And for the hats, mittens, gloves, and scarfs from St. Patrick's School both from Norwich. All of these items are headed to CCMC to help put a smile on a child's face. 
 
This brings the total donations of items to well over 1500. WOW over 1500 items, incredible. Again just think of how much more could have been collected and given to CCMC Safe Kids program on behalf of the Conn Elks Association  through this endeavor had more of the 21000 Conn Elks joined in and given.
 
My sincere appreciation and deep thanks to Brenda Williams, the Stewarts, Monsignor Tony, students and faculty from St Patrick's School, and members of the Manchester Elks, and Emblem Club 251 for taking on this challenge.
 
Together this group has once again proved  that  ELKS CARE/ ELKS SHARE.
 

20th Anniversary Annual CEA Golf Tournament

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Chic Rhodes, Chairman, CEA Golf Committee

This year’s CEA Annual Golf Tournament marks the 20th year of this gathering of Elks from all over the state to enjoy the comradery of a round of golf together and raise funds for our beloved State Major Project, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
 
Once again, the committee has held the cost per person to $100, including golf, cart and dinner.  That is a great deal in today’s tournament arena.  We have done this to help enable golfers from every lodge, at every level of talent to come out, enjoy and support this great charity.
 
There are a few exciting changes to note in this year’s event:
  • Hole signs are still a very affordable and tax deductible $50.
  • Raffle donations are being accepted by any District Chair, so if you have something you would like to donate from yourself or a local business, just contact a committee member.
  • The raffle is being changed to a table raffle this year.  There are several exciting prizes being donated and this will allow participants to put their tickets to the prizes of their choice.
  • There will be a special “Pink Ball” contest within the tournament for every foursome to have a chance at a prize just for not losing their pink ball.
  • One of the Par 3 holes will be a 50/50 contest for players on the green.
 
Every lodge can have a foursome.  Just contact any member of the CEA Golf Committee and let them know your lodge will participate.  If you can bring a tax deductible donation for the raffle, that will help make this the best tournament yet.
 
We hope to see you in Bridgeport!
  1. Manchester Elks Sponsor Mitten Tree Project
  2. 2019 CEA Mid-Year Convention
  3. Special Olympics Wrap-up 2018
  4. Effective use of Facebook at your lodge and beyond