Elks Lodge kicks of giving season with 'Keep Em Warm' program

Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge has kicked off its season of giving back to Sanders County with the “Keep Em Warm” program.

This is the lodge’s third year distributing boxes of winter clothing for kindergarten through eighth-grade students to each of the six schools in the county.    

Elks Lodge members Margaret Wakefield and Ruthie Farrier delivered donated items to the Plains School on Thursday.  

“Anytime we get these types of donations we are always very appreciative because they go to use,” said Plains Elementary School Principal Kevin Meredith, who accepted the donation. “We use it every time and our students are always cared for in our schools because of these generous donations.” 

The Elks Lodge is able to continue the Keep Em Warm program because of donations from local drop boxes at Harvest Foods and the Elks Club, and from local cash donations. Clothing for all ages is accepted and distributed to families in need throughout the year.   

“We get a grant from the Elks Club every year for the Keep Em Warm program and get donations from other people and organizations,” Wakefield said. “We just got a donation from the Whitefish Credit Union for $300. We really appreciate that.”  

The program was originally conceived in 2015. Farrier said they had received requests from school secretaries for help for one child or another who needed warm clothes. In the early years of the program, donations needed to be repaired and cleaned before they could be given to children.  

“We are carrying on the tradition and loving every moment of helping children in need,” Farrier said. 

The Elks Lodge was also able to donate money to each of the four ambulance services in Sanders County, including Plains Community Ambulance (PCA), the Thompson Falls Ambulance (TFA), Hot Springs Ambulance and Noxon Ambulance Service. Each received checks for $625.   

This was the first year Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge has distributed donations to the ambulance services.  Funds for the donations came from a grant provided by Elks National Organization.  

Accepting the donation for Plains Community Ambulance were Seth Gibbs and Jen Fratzke. Upon receiving the donation Gibbs said, “I was honestly surprised when we got the phone call. We’re not entirely sure what we are going to do with funds yet. It will probably go to our volunteer appreciation funds.”   

Thompson Falls Volunteer Ambulance EMT Pete Milne said, “The funds are going to provide nitrous oxide kits for each ambulance. They would offer pain relief for injuries or labor. At this time, we don’t have anything for pain relief. This is allowed in our scope of practice. This will be a great tool for us. It’s about improving patient care.” 

Thompson Falls Ambulance board member and treasurer Tim Cox commented, “When I joined (Thompson Falls Ambulance) six years ago, we had about one call per day. We hit a record last year.” 

Thompson Falls Ambulance was organized in 1975.

    Thompson Fall Ambulance EMT Pete Milne accepts a donation Check from Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge member Margaret Wakefield. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Thompson Fall Ambulance volunteers Tim Cox, Scott Eldridge and Pete Milne. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Plains Community Ambulance members Seth Gibbs and Jen Fratzke accept a donation from Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge member Margaret Wakefield. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)