By LIZZIE BOWEN | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge No.1738 is a nonprofit that works out of Pelham to give back to support charities and general communities in the Shelby County area.

The Lodge, originally located in Homewood moved to its Pelham location in 1985 and strives to uphold its four “virtues of order” which are: charity, justice, love and fidelity.

“We are always looking for people who want to help other people,” secretary Leon Johnston said.

Cahaba Valley Elks works with a plethora of charities across the Shelby County area including Miracle League of Helena, Oak Mountain Mission, National Alliance for Mental Illness, Shelby Foster Families Parents Association, Community of Hope and Health Clinic, Family Connection, Three Hots and a Cot, and other Veterans organizations. Additionally, they provide patriotic education programs, and college scholarship opportunities for local schools.

The Miracle League of Helena provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League Baseball, regardless of their abilities.

“Each youngster has a buddy,” Johnston said. “They have someone to help them play the game.”

The Miracle League will be holding games every Saturday in the month of October from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at Joe Tucker Park in Helena.

“In the Miracle League, we are going to donate funds and equipment valued at more than $2,000,” Johnston said. “We are going to have the folks from each of these come to our lodge to receive their donation.” In all, over 10,000$ will be given away to various charities around the Shelby County area.

The Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge is located at 1738 Morgan Park Road in Pelham. It holds meetings on the second through fifth Mondays. The next meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

During that next meeting, Oak Mountain Mission, Family Connection and Shelby County Foster Parents Association will all be in attendance for the presentation of the Lodge’s donation to their prospective organizations.

“Each of those organizations are going to receive a check for 2,000$,” Johnston said.

In October, more charities around the area will be recognized and donated to.

“In October, we are going to recognize Manna Farms and the Community of Hope Health Clinic. Manna Farms is a Shelby County organization operating a garden near Alabaster to provide fresh produce to those in need.” Johnston said.

The Community of Hope Health Clinic is a medical mission that provides non-emergency medical care to Shelby County adults ages 19-64 and have no health insurance and whose household income is at or below 200% of the poverty line.

In all, more than $10,000 will be given away to various charities around the Shelby County area.

The Lodge is having a yard sale Friday, Sept. 16 and Saturday, Sept 17 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1300 Spring Garden Street, Indian Springs Village. “All proceeds will go to funding the Lodge’s various charitable programs for all in need of a helping hand. The public is invited to the sale and be a partner in aiding in our communities,” Johnston said.

More information about Cahaba Valley Elks can be found at Facebook.com/Elks1738.