Locals Enjoy Luau Fundraiser at the Elks Lodge

The Redlands Elks Lodge hosted their monthly themed event last Saturday, June 29. The theme was a luau, and the Elks Lodge spared no detail to make sure it was an authentic experience through and through, utilizing elements from pit roasted pork to Hawaiian music playing in the background. The Elks Lodge hosts a variety of programs, including numerous scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities. They have also extended their charity to programs that take over medical expenses for children with special needs who otherwise could not afford it. Programs such as the Major Project “Piggy Bank” and the slogan for the Redlands Lodge, “Elks Care, Elks Share,” were born from their principle of charity. Portions of the proceeds from this event and every event that the Lodge hosts are given to these causes. The Lodge was decorated from wall to wall with dim lighting and Hawaiian scenery, making visitors feel as though they were sitting in Hawaii during a sunset. If the atmosphere alone were not enough, everyone who attended was dressed in proper luau attire, ranging from flowered shirts and dresses to straw skirts and bikini tops. The experience did not stop there however; after all, it isn’t a proper luau without plenty of food to enjoy with your family and friends around, and if there was anything readily available at the luau, it was plenty of food that matched the theme and a sense of family. A pit-roasted pig was carried through the hall for all visitors to see and was promptly served, alongside roasted chicken, rice, bread rolls, and a slaw made with pineapple and a hint of citrus flavors to stay true to the theme, and dessert consisted of a pineapple upside-down cake. Christa Sorcoran, who read about the luau in the paper, said, “This is really great. They go out of their way to make people feel at home and welcome.” Sorcoran is considering joining the Elks Lodge and was with her longtime friend Carry Emmert, who was previously an Elk for 10 years. After everyone was finished eating, the entertainment of the night took to the stage wearing coconut bikinis and straw skirts. These Polynesian-style dancers opened the night with synchronized performances, which soon broke off into different types of island dances. Visitors were also entertained by fire-dancing performances. One of the dances consisted of twirling a baton afire at both ends, and the other consisted of spinning two separate strings with fireballs spiraling wildly, pushing their heat into the audience. An event this extravagant is not uncommon for the Lodge to host, Elks shared. Angel Young, First Lady of the Redlands Elks Lodge, said, “We try to have at least one of these themed events each month. We are planning a ’50s theme soon where some of the members will be bringing in their old cars. We have even done Western themes in the past.” The Redlands Lodge currently has around 295 members, but they are always looking for new people to join their family. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to all the events as well. Denny Young, Exalted Ruler (the Elks Lodge’s equivalent of a president), stated, “We are all about working with the community and doing anything we can to help out. That’s the reason behind all of the programs and events we host.”