FROM STAFF REPORTS

PELHAM – The Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, a nonprofit fraternal organization based in Pelham, has performed various charitable acts and services to benefit the Shelby County area in the recent weeks.

The Lodge recently received a $2,000 grant to fund the Bundles of Love program, sponsored by Vineyard Family Services of Pelham. Lodge members shopped and assembled 50 baskets of supplies requested by Bundles of Love, which included diapers, baby cream and more supplies for mothers in need of support.

Lodge members also participated in the BPO Elks USA Hoop Shot Contest. The contest was organized by the Lodge and staff members of Pelham Parks and Recreation, and featured more than 25 Pelham students ages 8-13 participating in a free throw contest. Qualifying winners of the contest were sponsored to go on to the state level of the competition. A banquet was then held at the Bessemer Elks Lodge following the event.

Lodge members were invited to Oak Mountain Intermediate School to present the “About Our Flag” program to fifth graders at the school.

The program teaches students about the history of the American flag, the proper way to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and how the flag should be properly displayed.

The students also wrote essays for the Lodge’s annual Americanism Essay Contest. The prompt of this year’s contest is “What does Patriotism Mean to Me?” Students were then offered a tour of the American Village located in Montevallo.

For more information on the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge and its charitable efforts, visit Cvelodge1738.org.