YOUR Elks National Home

As a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, you have a financial interest in the Elks National Home and its future.  The only financial support that the Home currently receives from the Order is the $1.00 annual membership assessment.  (The assessment is NOT in addition to a grant from the Grand Lodge or ENF.  That grant was discontinued in 1995.)  All the residents and staff are sincerely grateful for your generosity and hope that you will continue to support the Home.

 Voluntary gifts are also vitally needed to supplement the $1.00 per member.  They are used to assist with operations and for renovations and capital improvements.  Your gifts can be designated for the fund of your choice (listed below).  They are also tax deductible, since the Home is a non-profit organization.

 Checks may be sent to the Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523.

 

THE ELKS NATIONAL HOME
A LIVING MONUMENT

The Elks National Home is not only a beautiful historical monument of the Order that should be a source of pride for all members – it is a living monument dedicated to Brotherly Love.  Its rooms are not roped off for display and its halls do not echo with your footsteps in the silence.  On the contrary, it bustles with activity as the retirees go about the business of enjoying life and the employees take care of all the daily chores of life and maintaining the buildings and grounds.

 The Home was established in 1903 for Elk members by Elk members.  In the beginning, it was for “indigent” Elks who were supported by their subordinate lodges and the Grand Lodge.  That has changed completely over the years.  Those who reside at the Home now are completely financially self-sustaining and pay the charges established by the Board of Grand Trustees.  The only support the Home and its residents receive from the Order is the $1.00 annual membership assessment and voluntary gifts from lodges, members, and friends.  That means your support is vital to the continuation of this beautiful establishment and our ability to offer services and care to our members.

 The Home is an exemplification of the tenets of charity and brotherly love.  Please show your concern and pride in Elkdom by supporting the Elks National Home.

For more information or to make a donation, write to Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523, or call 1-800-552-4140 during regular business hours (Eastern Time).  Additional information is also available on the web at www.elkshome.org.

Here's How YOU Can Help To Ensure The Future
Of The Elks National Home 

 YOUR BEQUEST CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

 Have you given any thought to remembering the Elks National Home in your will?  Many of us never consider this, simply because it doesn’t come to mind.

 Over the years, capital improvements and renovations have been funded by the Home Fund, which is made up of bequests and special gifts.  The last major project was the development of the apartments and the renovation of the lobby, sun porch, and dining room.  That was completed in 1999.

 For the last few years, bequests have decreased and the Home Fund has not grown as in the past.  This means that funds are not available for an upgraded care section and for additional apartments.  We have a long waiting list of those who would like to move into an apartment here, particularly married couples, who desire larger apartments.  Your gift or bequest earmarked specifically for renovations or modernization could help to change this by making it possible for us to add the type accommodations these people desire.

 So give some thought to a gift or bequest to the Elks National Home.  By doing so, you will be making an investment in your fellow man. 

 For more information on our retirement community and how to make a bequest, call 1-800-552-4140 during regular working hours (Eastern time), e-mail enhome@elkshome.org, or write to Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Ave., Bedford, VA 24523.  Since we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, your gifts are tax deductible.

 NOTE:  Although we have a waiting list for the apartments, WE DO HAVE VACANCIES IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY.  Call or write for more information

 

THANK YOU, ELK MEMBERS!

The $1.00 membership assessment for the National Home was again approved at the Grand Lodge Session in Charlotte.  This means that the Home will receive approximately $950,000.00 for the Grand Lodge year 2007-2008 from the members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.  These funds are necessary to meet the operating budget of the Home.  We are grateful to the membership for their support.  Each and every one of you can be proud to know that your dollar is helping to support our retired members.

You may not be aware that the residents of the Home represent a wide variety of people, who have served the Elks, their community, and our country during their lifetime.  Over the years the National Home, has been “home” to over 4,200 Elk members representing every state and U.S. Territory.  Following are some interesting statistics about the current residents.

v      Current number of residents - 117

v      Current number of states represented – 20

v      Total number of veterans - 46

v      Number of WWII veterans - 25

v      Number of Korean war veterans - 8

v      Number of Vietnam veterans - 2

v      Age range – 60 to 100

v      Average age – 85

v      Just some of the occupations represented:  Nurse, accountant, dentist, teacher, U. S. Military, law enforcement, writer, truck driver, postmaster, photographer, minister, insurance agent, homemaker, electrician, engineer, textile worker, and many more.

You can see photos and read about some of the activities and residents on our website at www.elkshome.org.

If you would like more information, whether you are interested in residency or just curious, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We are always happy to hear from interested members.  You may e-mail enhome@elkshome.org, call 1-800-552-4140 during regular business hours (Eastern Time), or write to Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Ave., Bedford, VA 24523.

THE NATIONAL ELKS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

The Elks National Home is a great benefit of membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.  Our beautiful retirement community has been serving members of the Order for over 100 years.  Thousands of Elk members from all over the United States have found happiness, friendship, and security in this unique environment.

 Established in 1903, the Home was originally for indigent Elks.  However, that has changed completely.  The current residents pay the charges established by the Board of Grand Trustees.  These charges have remained very reasonable over the years, thanks to past financial assistance from the Elks National Foundation and the Grand Lodge.

Beginning in 2005, the Grand Lodge and ENF financial assistance was discontinued and the membership itself began to assist with maintaining the Home through the $1.00 annual assessment.  The staff and current residents are sincerely grateful to the Elk members throughout the Order for their generosity.  Likewise, there will be many more residents in future years who will benefit from the continuation of this benefit of Elk membership.

 There have been many changes at the retirement community over the years.  The most recent was in 1999 when a major renovation program provided modern apartments to prepare for the admission of female members and married couples in addition to male Elk members.  These renovations were financed by the "Home Fund", which consists of bequests and gifts from members and friends of the Home.  The apartments are now all filled, and there is a waiting list of those who are interested in applying for an apartment as vacancies occur.  There is no obligation or cost to have your name added to the waiting list.  Just call the Home and speak to one of the marketing counselors.

 There are vacancies in the residential section for single occupancy.  If you or someone in your lodge may be interested, don’t hesitate to contact the Home.  The toll free number for regular business hours (Eastern Time) is 1-800-552-4140.  Ask for Nellie, Robin, or Sharon.  They will be happy to assist you and answer your questions.  They can also be reached at enhome@elkshome.org, and there is a wealth of information on the web at www.elkshome.org.

 As mentioned above, the $1.00 annual assessment will assist with the operation of the Home.  However, in order to continue to offer this excellent retirement option to Elk members and to be able to grow to accommodate those who would like to make this their home, additional financial support is needed from the membership.  Your gifts will help to assure that the Elks National Home will continue to demonstrate the tenets of our Order – Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity.  Please consider making a donation to ensure the survival and growth of the Elks National Home.

 Visitors are welcome to the retirement community.  Drop by anytime to have one of the residents give you a tour, or call for an appointment with one of the marketing staff.  Overnight accommodations are also available for a reasonable fee.  Call for a reservation.

 Remember, the Elks National Home is YOUR retirement community.  Be a part of its future.  Let us hear from you.

THE ELKS NATIONAL HOME
CHOOSE YOUR SEASON TO VISIT

 NOW is a good time to visit the Elks National Home in Bedford, Virginia.  Every season in Virginia has its beauty and advantages.  You do not have to be an Elk member to visit for a tour and/or meals.  You do have to be a member to stay overnight at the Home.

 SPRING is a time of new life with dogwood and cherry blossoms, and with daffodils and tulips showing their colorful heads.  The air becomes balmy and songbirds are plentiful.  Everyone feels a lift in spirits as we leave winter behind.

 SUMMER brings the green trees, bright summer flowers, and warm sunshine.  Days can be spent in the shade of a tree or visiting some of the many historic and scenic attractions nearby.  (See our website for links to local areas of interest and information on the Bedford community - www.elkshome.org).  The warm evenings are perfect for taking a walk or sitting outside enjoying the summer sky and sounds.

 FALL attracts many visitors to our area as they travel the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the colorful display of autumn leaves.  The color peak is usually in mid-October.  Even though we know winter is on the way, the beautiful foliage display and smell of fall in the air are invigorating.

 WINTER has a charm of its own.  Residents of the Home can enjoy this season from the comfort of the enclosed heated porches, and there is always something to do here.  Christmas is one of the highlights of the year with the Home’s splendid lighting display and the many visitors who come to bring treats and sing carols.  If you haven’t seen our lighting display, you owe it to yourself to make a visit during that time.  Winters in Virginia are fairly short and before you know it, spring is on the way!

 So make your plans for a visit to see for yourself what we have to offer.  Any Elk in good standing may stay at the Home for up to five days in any one month for a charge of only $50.00 per day plus tax, room and meals included ($65.00 for a couple).  Or if you prefer, there are two excellent motels nearby where you may stay and make day visits to the Home and nearby attractions.  For more information on a visit or residency call us at      1-800-552-4140 or write to Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Ave., Bedford, VA 24523.  You can ask for Nellie Martin, Sharon Jones, or Robin Wood.  We look forward to seeing you.

CHANGES

 Life is full of changes.  Is it time for a change in yours?  …A change for the better...A change that will give you the security and carefree lifestyle you desire.

 Here at the Elks National Home retirement community you can relax and leave the worries to someone else.  Take time to work on your golf game, start on all those books you’ve been wanting to read, take up a new hobby or devote more time to a hobby you’ve had to neglect lately.  Spend time with your new friends, enjoy dancing at the birthday party, take some of the many trips in our van to a shopping mall, historic site, scenic drive, or other interesting area.

 So what are you waiting for?  This is not a place to wait out your last months or years, but a beautiful retirement community for living and enjoying life with your friends.  Let someone else mow the grass and worry about the repairs.  You have better things to do and you have earned the right to enjoy them.

 We currently have vacancies for single occupancy – men or women.  It’s easy to get full information and an application.  Just call 1-800-552-4140 during regular business hours or write to:  Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Ave., Bedford, VA 24523.  You can also get information on our website at www.elkshome.org.  Contact us today!

 

Elks Retirement Community
Do You Know What You're Missing?

How much do you know about the Elks National Home, the retirement community for Elk members?  Some folks have preconceived ideas about retirement homes.  They think the retirees who live there sit in rocking chairs and snooze all day; that there’s nothing more to do than watch TV and nothing to look forward to but the next meal.

Our residents do look forward to the meals, because they are delicious and they share them with their friends in our gracious dining room.  And if they want to snooze in a rocking chair, that is OK.  But there is so much more to do!

First of all, the Elks National Home is located in a beautiful area of Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The scenery is amazing and there is lots of room for walking and gardening.  We have a full-time activities director, who does a wonderful job of keeping everyone busy.  Some of the regular activities are shopping trips, trips to the “Y”, Bingo, birthday parties/dances, bowling trips, chorus, golfing (on our own executive course!), Bible study, Pinochle games, Bridge games, exercise class, and more.  The activities director plans many special excursions for lunch outings at area restaurants, to historical sites in the area, to specialty shops, and scenic drives, as well as arranging for many individuals and groups to come here to entertain.  We also have an active Elks lodge, and many of our residents pursue their personal hobbies of painting, sewing, woodworking, etc.

So, as you can see, there is really no time to be bored.  Your lifestyle can be as active as you choose.  And if you get to the point that you need assistance, there is a capable and caring staff to see to your needs.

Come see what you are missing.  Arrange a visit to the Elks National Home by calling   1-800-552-4140 during regular business hours, or write to Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Ave., Bedford, VA 24523.  If you can’t make a visit right now, check out our website at www.elkshome.org.  There you will find photos as well as information on residency and the costs involved.

Call now.  We look forward to talking with you.

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN OUR HAPPY FAMILY-  WE HAVE VACANCIES! If you have even fleetingly considered a retirement community (and even if you haven’t thought about it), now is the time to follow through and get more information on the Elks National Home.  Find out what it is like to be free of the responsibility of caring for a house and having the freedom to concentrate on enjoying yourself and the company of those around you.  At this time, we have vacancies in the residential section.  You can find prices and descriptions on our website at www.elkshome.org.  You may also get additional information by calling 1-800-552-4140 during the hours of 8:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00-5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Monday through Friday, or write to Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523.  Contact us today.  Find out why the Elks National Home is such a special place.

 

SENIOR MOMENTS - THEY'RE NOT ALL BAD!      "I just had a senior moment."  We find ourselves using this popular catch-phrase whenever we have a lapse of memory.  But think about it - "senior moments" could have an entirely different meaning. Consider the residents of the Elks National Home.  They fill their moments and days with all the things they didn't have time to enjoy during their working years, while they were raising a family and caring for a home.  What luxury!  They can pursue hobbies such as painting, watch making, stained glass work, woodworking, etc.  The library is a wonderful place to enjoy a good book or the latest newspapers and magazines.  The golfers are in seventh heaven, since they have a course right in their own front yard.  The Home's golfers have formed their own "golf association" to plan tournaments and other competitions and they have an annual banquet to present awards for special achievements.  (By the way - golfing weather here extends well into October and sometimes, even November.)  The bi-weekly Bingo games are very popular, as are the monthly birthday parties and periodic dances.  Then there are many special trips to local areas of interest, shopping malls, and the nearby Lynchburg and Roanoke Elks Lodges.  Also, the Home has it's own lodge, which is active in charitable works, youth activities, and Veteran's affairs.  It would be impossible to list all of the activities that residents of the Home are involved in.  They are limited only by their own imaginations and individual abilities. So you can see that "senior moments" can be very positive.  If you are retired or nearing retirement, why not consider joining all the active and fun-loving seniors at the Elks National Home.  Make the most of your senior moments - and years. For complete information and a color brochure call 1-800-552-4140 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00-5:00 p.m. Eastern Time), email us at enhome@elkshome.org, write to Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford, VA, 24523, or check out our website at www.elkshome.org.  We look forward to hearing from you.

TAKE A WATERLESS CRUISE - NON STOP!!!! Ever been on a Cruise?  The scenery's sights and sounds constantly changes;  the cheerful staff waits on you hand-and-foot; the other passengers are happy and carefree; and the food is better than anything you could ever make yourself.  Like living in a dream, the calendar and the clock cease to rule your every move, and life is beautiful - that is, until the ship pulls into the dock, the party ends and you drag your luggage and yourself back to the dreary workday world. Yes, a few lucky billionaires can afford to stay in those magical surroundings every day of the year, floating majestically and untroubled across the seven seas.  But most of us don't fit in that category (however much we may really deserve it).  We work all our lives and then finally get to retire and try to catch up on the relaxation and enjoyment that had beckoned like a distant mirage over the decades.  Sadly and all too often, years after we can stop going to "The Job', we still find ourselves following the same habits and routines in the same place as we had done all our working lives.  Didn't you promise yourself something better, every one of those thousands of mornings that you shut off the alarm, dragged yourself out of a warm bed and stared into the mirror?  How long are you going to wait?  YOU ARE OVERDUE! Make TODAY the day you take control of your future happiness, the day when you point your bow toward the horizon and begin really enjoying your life!  It is the only one you've got, you know. How, you ask?  Well, take all those good points about Cruisin' but bring them together on dry land in one beautiful and balmy retirement village at Bedford, Virginia, chop the price tag down to a small fraction of Cruisin', and you've just described the fabulous lifestyle on board our beautiful ship B.P.O.E. Elks Home.  Interested? A simple call or letter to your own State Association's Elk National Home Coordinator or to the Elks National Home itself will get you all the facts you need to find the life you've always dreamed about.  Check it out.  Write us: Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523, email at ENHome@elkshome.org, visit our website: www.elkshome.org.  You may call us at 1-800-552-4140.  Don't waste another minute - GET CRUISIN!