by John Dowd
Last week, the Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge awarded the Sula Volunteer Fire Department a grant for $1,555.
According to Denise Hiatt, Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge office manager, the grant was for the department to purchase “sequential road flares” to aid in road safety. Hiatt said Chief McGee stated that there is an increasing danger for firefighters being struck by a vehicle during an on-scene accident while providing aid. This is especially a big concern for Sula because the department responds to a lot of wrecks along the curves south of Darby to the border. At night, there is a high danger of further wrecks or department volunteers being struck on the roads while responding.
Sula was one of the only area fire departments to apply for the grant. In order to receive the grant, first the Montana State Elks Association sends out notices to lodges across the state who then notify local fire departments. The departments then fill out the paper work and send it off to the Montana State Elks Association, which chooses a recipient.
Pictured from left to right is Larry Seymour, house chairman of the Elks, Michele McGee, the Sula Rural Fire District treasurer and board trustee, Mark McGee, Sula Rural Fire District Chief, Richard Smith, the Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge secretary and Dan York, Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge treasurer.Photo courtesy Denise Hiatt.
The Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge covers the entire Bitterroot Valley, from Sula to Florence. According to Hiatt, “It’s important that we start informing the community that the Elks Lodge (located in Hamilton) is more than just a place to come have a meal and a drink. We are a community service driven club and have given thousands to many non-profits in our area.”
The Elks Lodge has been active in Hamilton since 1942. According to Hiatt, the lodge does a lot. Some events are part of greater state-wide Elks Lodge activities, including an Elks hoop-shoot event. For this, youth come out and compete to progress to a state Elks hoop shoot, shooting baskets to win. Hiatt says this is just one of many fun events they host. They also give out scholarships to outstanding students in the valley. They do this independently from other Elks lodges or the state lodge. They also independently provide veterans services and give out dictionaries to third graders in the valley, in conjunction with the Hamilton Rotary Club.
The Lady Elks provide hats, coats and gloves to school children. The Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge donates to safe houses, women’s protection groups, gives meat to those in need during holidays and much more.
When asked why Hiatt and her husband got involved with the program, she said she has only been with the Elks for a year but loves it. She grew up in the valley and always wanted to return. “We’ve just always been involved in the community,” said Hiatt. “I love their mission statement, I love their motto.” That motto is: “Elks care, Elks share.”
For more information or to get involved with the local Elks Lodge, interested parties can look up the Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge #1651 on the elks.org website. The lodge is open Wednesday nights to the public, and provides dinners for $15. It is located at 203 State Street, in Hamilton.