Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St., will host its third annual Back to School Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 29.
Everyone is invited. Elementary students from Sweet Home and Central Linn school districts, including Little Promises kindergarteners and Sweet Home Charter School students, will play games and win prizes for their schools. Students will win prizes, school supplies, which they will place in a box for the schools of their choice.
Additional supplies, based on wish lists from educators, also will be given to area schools, Sharrah said.
Everyone else – teachers, administrators, parents and older students, are welcome to eat hot dogs and chips with drinks.
The program is funded by two Elks National Foundation grants, a $2,000 Beacon Grant, which requires significant involvement of the Elks in the community and pays for the fair, food and prizes, Sharrah said, and a $2,000 Promise Grant, which pays for the educator wish list supplies.
Prizes include basic school supplies, like erasers, safety scissors and rulers, Sharrah said. The wish list supplies may include other kinds of items, from socks and shoes to art supplies.
Organizer Ron Sharrah, Elks past exalted ruler, encourages parents and school staff members to get involved in the Elks, to form committees, to help out local schools, he said. The Elks have had several join in the past couple of years.
The more people with a passion for something get involved, the better their fund-raising efforts can be, he said. Members of Elks committees learn how to maximize their efforts and results as they gain experience fund-raising.
The Back to School Fair drew some 57 staff members and parents last year, with fewer students than the year before, around 100. The first year, the Elks hosted nearly 200 students, with fewer adults.
The Elks are hoping to have more this year, he said. “We’ll have fun. I’m sure the kids will have fun. We are anticipating a good turnout.”
The Elks have a lot of supplies to give to schools, he said, “and I think the kids will like that.”
The older students are welcome to join them, help with games and hand out prizes, he said.
For more information, contact Sharrah at (541) 231-7303 or the lodge at (541) 367-3559.