OKEECHOBEE — Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Cheryl Gumz is stepping down for health reasons and said unless a new leader steps up, the group will no longer be viable.

Although there are 53 members, very few are active, and the average age of the members is 82. “We do so many good things for the community,” said Gumz, who has been a member for more than 10 years. “But, it’s really hard when there are so few of us, and when you are in your 80s, you can only do so much.”

The lodge needs a new exalted ruler, secretary, treasurer, chaplain, esquire, leading knight, lecturing knight, loyal knight, inner guard and outer guard by the end of February. For varying reasons, all these positions are vacant. “Our members attend as many functions as they possibly can, but so few can’t do it all,” said Gumz.

The Elks Lodge has helped the community in many ways over the years and still can if they can get some new members in who are able to take a more active role. Children and veterans are the main focus of the Elks’ attention. They not only offer scholarships, with awards up to $50,000, but also host a basketball shoot, a soccer shoot and a summer camp. In 2021, the Elks organized the Halloween Extravaganza at the Agri-Civic Center and donated 12 bicycles to the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office for their bike rodeo.

For veterans, they held an event called “Stand Down” in 2019 and distributed non-perishable food, canned goods, laundry certificates, back packs, personal hygiene items, clothing certificates, etc. to local veterans. They spent $10,000 in grant money from the Elks Grand Lodge on the supplies for the veterans.

Recently, the Elks were able to offer Our Village an $8,000 grant.

In addition to this type of community service, the Elks also offer free therapy for children, both physical and occupational. The services are provided in the child’s home on a weekly basis. More information about the therapy services can be found online at elkstherapy.com/They will even hire a speech therapist if that service is needed.

The Lake Okeechobee Elks meet at the Brahma Bull Restaurant, 2405 U.S. 441, on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. A meet-and-greet is open to the public at 6 p.m. and the members-only meeting begins at 7 p.m.

To join the Elks Lodge, you must be sponsored. You must be a citizen and believe in God. “You must want to help your community, because that’s what we do. Come join us. You won’t be sorry,” said Gumz. If you just want to donate, you can do it online at enf.elks.org/donate or to floridaelks.org or by mail at Elks National Foundation 2750 Lakeview Avenue. Chicago, Il. 60614. For questions and information, text 863-634-2863 or visit www.floridaelks.org.

"If people are worried about not knowing what to do if they become an officer, there will be an officers' training offered in Orlando in March, and there are also training videos on the website."

“We have a meeting on the 9th where we would nominate people for the offices. Any member is eligible to serve, even brand new members. Then on the 23rd, we would vote. Our lodge needs people to step up and share the love for the things the Elks support. If we can’t fill the offices, we will have to consider relinquishing our charter.”