San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01
II Is Given Foremost Place
in Great Order Of Big
hearted Men.
NEVER CALLS IN VAIN
Wherever There Is Distress
or Want Noble Frater-
nifty Is at Work.
BY JACK r. BURKE

Elks is comprehensive in its scope
and is Of the year round variety.
Never is the cry Of distress or want
heard but what the big heart OF Elk
dom responds generously.
Race, creed and color are disre-
garded by the ElkS Of this city, where
matters Of charity are concerned. The
knowledge that a fellow man is in
need, that little children are wistful,
that q mother requires assistance
these facts are sufficient for the 5000
sBillsr who make up the membership
Of the San Antonio lodge. They set
to work energetically to remedy con-
ditions and find their reward in the
happiness brought 10 the many less
fortunate than themselves.
Such is the spirit Of Eikdom; =
spirit that finds fullest expression
here and il manifested every day
by members Of the big order.
To Raise the Money.
Charitable activities of the Elks
with which the public is most fam
liar are the annual Christmas cele-
brstion for the orphans and the
picnic for the same children each
summer. These events bring unending
iov into the lives of more than 500
boyy and girls who do not have the
loving care OF fathers and mothers
and whose only homes are in charit-
able institutions.
The Flks' Minstrel SHOW is held
each year As a means OF raising iunds
TO make this comprehensive program
nosSible. Members give unstintedly OK
their time. energy and talent Tor
weeks in order that the big show
NAV bring the most enjoyment to
those whe patrouize it. But back of
this is the bigger idea Of bringing
smiles of happiness and gurglcs OF de-
light TO the hundreds OF youngsters
who are confidently counting on their
"big brothers" for Christmas and tue
picnic. Every cent OF profit from the
show is expended on the orphans.
II is safe 10 say that many OF
these children do not know a Santa
CLAUS. other than a fat and jolly Elk
disguised as this patron saint. Ana
it's no wonder. for the Elks carry
out their Christmas program most
thoroughly.
Never Forget Orphans.
On christmas Eve gorgeously
decorated and illuminated tree IS
placed in each orphanage. and when
morning comes an Elk Santa Claus
is on the job with toys and gifts OF
every description. not to mention
stockings crammed full of candy, nuts
and other goodies. Then there are
any number Of grownup boys on hand
to play with the children and band
10 furnish Christmas music.
The Elks 20 TO all the trouble OF
aseertaining the name, age and sex
of all of the orphans OF the city, In
order that appropriate presents may
be secured for each child.
But the Christmas celebration is
only part Of the good cheer for which
the minstrel show proceeds are ex-
pended. When the heat OF summer
comes on. the Elks again marshal
their forces and give the orphans
DAYS outing in Breckenridge Park.
It's an all day frolic. too. with hun
dreds of members and their wives on
hand TO see that the children are
properly cared for.
Spend n. Glorious Day.
What a glorious time they do have
eating. romping and then eating
some more.
The day is started by committee
calling at each of the Orphanages aud
Thai. oh IN fha marx
on special street cars. Once assem-
bled the fun starts and does not stop
until late in the afternoon. Donkey
rides. games in which the winners
receive prizes. contests of all variety.
special vaudeville attractions. music
By a comic band. the Sntics of Clowns
all these things go 10 make up tue
program.
But undoubtedly the biggest fea-
ture OF all is the eats \ real
old-faShioned picnic dinner is served
al noon for in-between times there
is an endless supply of peanuts, pop
corn. ice cream. cake soda pop aud
all the other trimmings. BY the end
of the day hundreds of happy children
are tired and ready for bed--but not
too tired to begin planning what they
arc SpllC 10 40 NEAT NuhlMNA NhNa
the Eiks take them on another picnic.
Always 1t Work.
Christmas activities and the picnic
are only high lights in the great
amount of charitable work that is con-
stantly being carried on by the san
Antonio Elks. Such things as pro-
viding a winters supply Of coal 20
an institution that was without funds
for fuel are not heard of generally
outside of the lodge. When food and
clothing are provided for destitute
families, Jobs secured for the unen-
ployed, visits made TO the sick and
cheer given TO the downhearted. the
ElkS consider they have only doue
what is expected Of them. Charity
IS one OF the cardinal principles q
their order and they strive at ah
times 10 exemplify IL in their reia-
tionS with their fellows.
Last year the Elks 81 this eiiS
spent many thousands At doilars ~
charitable endeavors. They vii 90
the same in 1!ra3 aud ia succcediu-
wears. They are Just naturally con
sfituted that way.