Elyria Elks donates nearly $60,000 to local nonprofits

The Elyria Elks Lodge No. 465 donated about $28,000 in total to three nonprofits at the organization's annual Barnyard Night fundraiser on Saturday night. The money comes mostly from the fraternal organization's legal gambling operations. Using that same pool of money, the Elks made three other donations totaling nearly $32,000 that were not specifically honored at the event on Saturday at the Elks lodge, 246 Second St. All of the Elks donations' amounted to nearly $60,000. The largest donation made by the Elks on Saturday was a $23,897.32 gift to United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland. Most of the money donated to the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland came from gambling operations, while $3,617.25 was raised through an Elks golf outing. Tom Breno, of the Past Exalted Rulers of the Elks, said that the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland is the No. 1 charity to which the Elks donate. Beth Lucas, president and CEO of the charity, accepted the donation. She was joined by executive administrative assistant Donna Woods and physical therapist assistant Cindy Marks, who is also a member of the Elyria Elks. "(Marks) connected us with the Elks, and the Elks have been a long time supporter of UCP," Lucas said. "We offer therapy services to children and adults with a range of disabilities and without support from organizations like the Elks we would be unable to offer those services. We offer services regardless of family ability to pay, so this is very important." Additionally, the Elks donated $2,253.34 each to the Elyria Catholic High School Athletic Department and the Elyria High Athletics Boosters (also known as the Elyria Pioneer Club) on Saturday. Elyria High Athletics Boosters President Gregg Goodspeed was on hand to receive the donation. "We really appreciate this donation from the Elks, it's gonna do a lot for the kids," Goodspeed said. The Barnyard Night fundraiser was hosted by the P.E.R., a group of former Exalted Rulers (leaders) of the lodge and raised money for the Elks' scholarship program. Breno said that last year the Elks donated $3,000 in scholarships to local students. This year's scholarships will be awarded in March. Beyond Saturday's honorees, the Elks has made the following three additional donations using their yearly gambling winnings: $6,760 to Good Knights of Lorain County $2,253.34 to the Lorain County Office on Aging $22,533.78 to the Ohio Elks Association Charitable Trust Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.