State Vice President Ken Lady presented a voucher to California Hawaii Elks president Doug Larsen for $13,441, contributing to the Elks National Foundation.
George Vernon Sr., Elks National Foundation district chairman, said that the contribution represented the combined donation of the Elk Lodges in the South Central Coast district, which is comprised of Culver City, Gardena, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Torrance and Westchester.
Seventy five years ago, a $100,000 grant created the Elks National Foundation. Since then, the grant has grown into a $320 million fund. Using interest from the fund, $217 million has been allocated toward scholarships, youth programs, veteran services, veteran memorials, drug awareness, Boy and Girl Scouts, Hoop Shoot and a Major Project, which includes physical therapy, special scholarships and eye examinations for handicapped children. This year the Foundation will distribute $13.3 million throughout the nation to support these programs.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 20, 2003. Read the original PDF.