Local Elk’s Lodge 657 has long held a reputation for generosity in our community and this time, word is spreading across the state and even the nation about their newest efforts to supply children and teachers with much needed school supplies.
Parents cringe every fall when it’s time to purchase school supplies because they know how expensive it is. Somehow they manage to send them ready for their first day. The problem is those supplies don’t last all year. Many parents can’t afford to purchase a second round of learning ammunition and often teachers, passionate about their students, scrounge to foot the bill. The cost teachers take on ranges from $500 to $1,500 a year. However, more and more teachers and their students are going without.
When Cleb Fails, an Elk’s Lodge board member, heard about it he couldn’t look the other way. “I don’t have the heart to let that student go without,” he said with fervent sincerity. “If they don’t have supplies, they’re not going to be encouraged to do their work.”
Elk’s Lodge member Toby Blaylock, of Blaylock Insurance Agency, partnered with Cleb Fails and sent out folders to every elementary and middle school. Fourteen schools responded with a stack of lists from teachers. “One of the most common things they listed was an electric pencil sharpener,” laughed Fails. “These kids just wear them out.” Although some of the requests were beyond their ability to fund, they will amply supply classrooms with supplies like paper, pencils, erasers, crayons, glue and more.
Fails and Blaylock began collecting money and recruited Candy Swinney and Charlotte Barnett to help with fundraising. Swinney located a signed Heisman Trophy soon to be auctioned off. “It’s beautiful,” Fails said with pride. They also plan to auction off other OU and OSU memorabilia and anything Fails said anything people want to donate.
“I put a collection jar out at the Senior Golf Tournament at the Elk’s Golf course every Wednesday so they remember to donate. I know businesses have been hit up for donation after donation but I’ll take a hundred dollars or even just ten. Something to help. So far we’ve raised $2,100 and we haven’t even scratched the surface.”
Hypnotist Johnnie Fredman will entertain families at the Elk’s Lodge December 11th for the cause. “He’s donating his time and the Elk’s donated the floor which usually costs about $250. Adults tickets will sell for $10 and kids for $5 with all the proceeds funding our project,” said Fails. “He’s a wonderful person,” said Blaylock, “and he’s got a great program. We’re looking forward to that.”
Blaylock said they’ve collected 1,000 pencils. “Local banks and insurance companies have donated pencils, individuals are giving as much as $100 and Citizen Pottawatomie Nation just gave us a large donation,” said Blaylock. “I even have some places who are donating reconditioned computers.”
According to Fails the Elk’s Kids new school supplies program is going statewide. “I was at a local meeting and some state Elk’s dignitaries attended. When I presented it to the board they went crazy over it. One of the state guys asked me to tell him more about it and then the next thing I know it’s going statewide. I get fired up about that,” said Fails. “It may go national and being one of the largest organizations in the U.S. you can just imagine what this will do.”
Teachers will receive classroom supplies in January. Fails promised that the program will remain active all year, beginning again in late May for the fall semester and again in January when students run out. He feels confident in the Elk’s Lodge and the community. “When you mention kids, those guys out there just open their hearts.”
Elk’s Kids is a program that assists children in the community throughout the year. For more information about how you can get involved or if you would like to make a donation you can contact Cleb Fails at 760-7022 or Toby Blaylock at 275-8535.