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Saturday, March 13, 2010
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Not just a bar Fraternal, veterans' groups contribute to the community Associate Editor Misconceptions are plentiful about Brainerd's fraternal organizations and veterans' clubs and Peter Johnson, past exalted ruler of Brainerd Elks Lodge 615, is familiar with many of them.
He said last week the Elks Club is mistakenly viewed by some as a hangout for old guys to drink beer and smoke cigarettes. That image ignores the multitude of programs and thousands of dollars the Elks and other organizations donate to charitable causes.
"Image means a lot more than most people realize," Johnson said last week. "We have to work a lot harder to let people know we are a charitable organization. We aren't just a beer bar."
Similar stories were heard from leaders with the Brainerd Eagles, the Brainerd Moose, the Brainerd American Legion and the Brainerd VFW, with club and lodge officers stating that the larger community often forgets all of the worthwhile projects these organizations support.
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Peter Johnson, past exalted ruler of Brainerd Elks Lodge 615, said his and other fraternal organizations are sometimes falsely perceived as being nothing more than a bar where members hang out.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"We do things the government doesn't do and shouldn't do," Johnson said.
Those activities include the Elks trips to the St. Cloud Veterans Administration home where members put on bingo and casino games; college scholarships to high school graduates; a Hoop Shoot and a soccer shoot for young people; a restaurant booth at the Crow Wing County Fair with tips and a matching contribution going to the Brainerd High School choir and band members; youth softball, hockey, baseball, soccer, debate; Legionville; and the Elks State Youth Camp on Pelican Lake. The Elks Lodge also has been a booster of the Soup Kitchen and a new organization called Healthy Brains for Children, a group that encourages abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy.
All told, he estimated the Elks Lodge contributes about $10,000 toward charitable projects.
Maintaining those contributions, he said has been a struggle since membership has declined. When he first joined the Elks, about 27 years ago, Johnson estimated that the member numbers were about 1,200. Now he said, that number is about 300. Although the lodge continues to be profitable, part of the decline in membership is a generational mindset, Johnson said.
"They aren't joiners," the 60-year-old Elks leader said of the younger generation. "When I grew up we had Scouting, and 4-H and church night."
Les Pikula, gaming manager for Brainerd Eagles Aerie 287, estimated that in 2009 his organization donated about $8,300 to area youth projects. Total contributions to charitable projects was estimated at $32,700.
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"They aren't joiners," the 60-year-old Elks leader said of the younger generation. "When I grew up we had Scouting, and 4-H and church night."
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Eagle contributions included scholarships to high school students; $500 each to the Crosby-Ironton, Pillager and Brainerd Grad Blasts; $725 to Brainerd Parks and Recreation baseball teams, soap box derby and Take a Kid Fishing program; $1,000 to the Heartland Detachment Marine Corps League's "Toys for Kids;" $850 to Brainerd Community Action; $1,000 to Shriner's Children's Hospital; $1,000 to Home on the Range, an Eagles camp in South Dakota; $1,280 to the city of Brainerd for flags and display brackets.
In earlier years the Eagles donated $1,000 to Baxter and $800 to Brainerd to start up pond hockey programs.
"I guess I get kind of frustrated when I never see the Eagles mentioned," Pikula said. "The community would lose some big bucks if all those organizations were to close their doors."
The Eagles' charitable giving comes in the face of a downturn in its gambling revenues. Pikula said gambling revenues during an average winter month five years ago were about $100,000. Now the gambling take during a winter's month is between $55,000 and $65,000.
"People just aren't spending the money right now," Pikula said.
Another fraternal organization that is facing money problems is Brainerd Moose Lodge 12465. Governor Brian Knisley said the organization's big community project is the community Thanksgiving dinner it hosts for people who would otherwise be by themselves. He said that when finances allow, the lodge sponsors Halloween and Easter parties that are open to the entire community. The Women of the Moose, he said usually give one or two $1,000 scholarships. Money from Moose gambling money also is sometimes contributed to the Salvation Army, March of Dimes and Grad Blast celebrations.
Knisley said fraternal organizations offer members less expensive meal and drink prices and a network of people who are likely to take an interest in other members when they are ill or need help. He said the lodge is trying to host activities that might boost younger membership such as music events or Texas hold'em games.
"The membership grows older and it's just not the 'in' thing for young people," he said.
Moose membership is currently about 400 people, including both the men's and women's groups, Knisley said.
At age 39, Chris Spieker is one of the youngest leaders of an area veterans' group or fraternal organization. A full-time member of the Minnesota National Guard, Spieker is commander of Brainerd American Legion Carl Sydney Hanson Post 255.
Spieker estimated the Legion donates about $20,000 a year to charitable organizations and projects. Legion members also volunteer their time with several projects.
"I believe there is a strong bond of people (Legion members)," Spieker said. "They like to help people out."
Money raised by the American Legion goes to: Brainerd High School Grad Blast, National Fire Safety Council, Miss Brainerd Lakes scholarships, Central Lakes College scholarships, Cub Scouts, Veterans Administration, Family Support for Troops, USO, Camp Ripley Military Museum, Gillette Children's Foundation, Toys for Kids, Women's Center of Mid-Minnesota, Special Olympics, Friendship Ventures Camp, Brainerd Parks and Recreation (Bronco League and Take a Kid Fishing), School Patrol, Baxter Parks and Recreation, Legionville, Legion baseball, Forestview Middle School (flags), Lakes Area BMX, National Child Safety Council, Kinship Partners, Bridges of Hope, Legion Boys State, ROTC scholarships, United Way, Mounted Eagles, Geritol Frolics, Military Family Foundation, Red Cross blood drive, Habitat for Humanity and Crisis Line.
Also, the Brainerd American Legion provides a color guard which takes part in parades and funerals for veterans. In addition members and non-members alike are eligible to rent rooms and space for wedding dances and other events.
Spieker said the Legion's annual Fishing Frenzy dinner is open to the public. He also noted that non-members are welcome to use the Legion's facilities when they sign in as a guest.
Commander Dave Meyer of Brainerd VFW Post 1647 said the community benefits from the VFW in many ways including sponsorship of hockey teams, baseball teams, a Cub Scout troop and the color guard's appearances conducting of full military services at funerals. These are all contributions which he said the public sometimes takes for granted.
Part of the VFW's challenge is that the state takes a bigger share of the post's gambling revenue. Meyer said years ago the state took about 10 percent of the gaming revenue and now it takes 49 percent.
The post receives many solicitations from other worthwhile causes but doesn't always have the funds to contribute as much as it might like to, he said.
"If you don't have the funds you can't be giving to everything that comes along," Meyer said. "We have to turn down a lot of requests."
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
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