THE BENEVOLENT & PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS

The origins of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.) dates back to the mid 1800's. As a result an 1866 ruling of the New York legislature which closed saloons on Sundays, a social group, dubbed the "Jolly Corks," was established by an English entertainer by the name of Charles Vivian. Vivian wanted to give his fellow entertainers a place to gather on Sundays and share stories and a "few" drinks. So, this group of actors rented out a room on Fourth Street (and later Broadway) where they could go and have a good time. As one can imagine, there was no lack of interested members.

The name "Jolly Corks" has its origins from a cork trick that was played in London. Members of the "Jolly Corks" where required to carry a wooden cork in their pocket at all times. To be included in the "Jolly Corks," each player placed his cork on the table and when the Imperial Cork, who was Vivian, counted to three the last man to lift his cork had to buy a round of drinks. The newcomers were delighted because they were the first to lift their cork. However, the old members had no intention of lifting their cork, therefore the new player was the last to lift his cork, owing his fellow players a drink. Membership soon grew rapidly.
With an ever-growing membership, Vivian decided the "Jolly Corks" were going to need a more prestigious and dignified name. As the debate over what to call themselves was raging, a group of Corks went to see some animal heads put on display by P.T. Barnum. After the exhibit, They rushed back to the Corks Lodge and informed their buddies "Hey guys! We've got it! People will look up to us if we call ourselves THE ELKS!"

An official ELKS pamphlet explains the significance of the name. "The animal from which the Order took its name was chosen because of a number of its attributes were deemed typical of those to be cultivated by members of the fraternity. The elk is a distinctly American animal. It habitually lives in herds. The largest of our native quadrupeds, it is yet fleet of foot and graceful in movement. It is quick and keen of perception; and while it is usually gentle and even timorous, it is strong and valiant in defense of its own." -from page 7 of WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ELK.

When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Elks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they wanted to have a more enduring organization to serve those in need. On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Since that day in February 1868, the B.P.O. Elks have become an integral part of our communities nationwide. It was the Order of Elks who were first to observe June 14th as Flag Day in 1907. President Harry S. Truman, an Elk himself, declared it a National Holiday in 1947. During World War I, Elks funded and equipped the first field hospitals in France. They built medical centers and community houses here in the United States. It was the Order of Elks that first loaned money to 40,000 returning veterans for rehabilitation and education, the precursor to the modern G.I. Bill. The Elks recruited construction workers for the military in World War II, donated millions of pints of blood during the Korean War, helped wounded soldiers in Vietnam, and undertook letter writing campaigns to support the men and women of Operation Desert Storm. The tragedy of September 11th saw the over one million memberships of the Order collect much needed emergency supplies and money in excess of $1.2 million dollars.

The legacy of Charles Vivian continues to this day. The Brotherhood of Elks serves youth and others in need through a variety of programs like the annual "Soccer-Shoot" and "Hoop-Shoot." Scholarships and grants from the Elks National Foundation are second only to the Federal Government, State Major Projects help handicapped children and bring health care to where it's needed. Elks Drug Awareness programs sponsor P.E.E.R. and D.A.R.E. groups and distribute booklets and pamphlet to our grade school children. The extensive charitable works of individual lodges and members enrich the lives of millions of Americans each year.

Our story is long; our work is humble; our history is proud. Our rich and distinguished heritage over the last 135 years bodes well for the future - what we've come from is only half of what we will be in the years to come!

Eleven O'Clock Toast