Butler Elks donate $110,000
The Butler Elks made a lot of people’s Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Not only did the organization donate nearly $110,000 to more than a dozen local agencies, the Elk who spurred the effort said the money will go on to touch even more people who the receiving agencies help.
The agencies that received funding included fire departments, a library, a community health clinic and more. Candee Barnes, past exalted ruler of the Butler Elks, said each recipient was chosen by a different member of the Elks.
“We wanted to make it enough to make a difference to these groups,” Barnes said. “I think it’s a great cross-reference of organizations in the city. We had a lot of everything.”
Most of the agencies received $10,000 from the Elks, which was stowed away over the course of the year from member fees and other sources of revenue at the Elks lodge on Kaufman Drive in Butler.
Barnes said the Elks did this type of bulk donation about five years ago as well. Aside from the financial aid provided by the Elks, Barnes said the bulk donation was a good opportunity to bring a bunch of organization leaders into one place, adding potential for networking opportunities. The Elks lodge was filled with these leaders Dec. 3.
“We actually donate every month, but I brought up that we should make a donation at the end of the year,” Barnes said of the idea.
Receiving agencies included the Butler Area Public Library, the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center, St. Vincent de Paul, Canines for Courage and numerous volunteer fire departments.
Pierre Khoury, president of Canines for Courage, took the opportunity at the gathering to explain the purpose of the organization and how funds are used.
Canines for Courage provides dogs to “heroes,” people nominated as in need of a companion, and even trains them to fit the personal needs of the recipient. Khoury said donations help the nonprofit with the upkeep of the dogs in its care.
“It's the cost of the animals, the cost of training them,” Khoury, who is also co-founder of Canines for Courage, said. “For some of our heroes, we'll give them a grant that they can use to train the dog.”
Khoury also said anyone in the room could nominate a person to receive a dog through Canines for Courage and the nonprofit will help provide a dog that fits a nominee’s needs.
“We'll be using that specifically to find heroes or veterans in Butler County that could use a companion pet or full-service dog,” Khoury said. “We cater the dog to whatever they need.”
