WEST MILFORD – The local Elks Lodge 2236 would like to contact veterans when related events are scheduled, members of the lodge said.
The lodge wants to find local veterans that want to be informed when it hosts special events or offers discounts to existing functions.
The lodge said the contact information gathered would be confidential and only used to reach out to the interested veterans for those related events.
The organization began as a drinking club in New York City in 1867 made up mostly of entertainers known as the “Jolly Corks,” according to the organization.
Initially designed to promote fellowship between the entertainers, the organizers saw the benefits the club could bring to help its members and others less fortunate.
A year later, in 1868, the group changed the name to the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elk, and the fraternity was born, according to the organization.
The order grew to around 1 million members and 2,100 lodges throughout the nation and its possession territories as of 2003, according to the organization.
Volunteers from the Elks provide direct services to veterans in more than 330 facilities nationwide each month and provide grant money to connect veterans with services in their local communities, according to the organization.
Veterans wishing to take part in the notifications should send their information to wmelks2236@optonline.net to be included.