The Elks and Royal Purple of Canada are groups of men and women coast to coast, joined through common bonds of fraternalism and charity. Promotion and support of community needs occurs through volunteer effort of the local lodges.

The National Charity of the Elks and Royal Purple was founded in 1956 as the Elks Purple Cross Fund. In 1998 the name was changed to the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children. Through the Fund we are able to reach out and become a local charity to any child in need across the country. This is called our Personal Assistance Program.

The Purpose of the Fund: to provide financial assistance for any purpose whatsoever that is for the good and welfare of a person resident in Canada prior to attaining their 19th birthday.

Money from the Fund may be used to purchase hearing aids, auditory trainers, medicine, crutches, braces, technical aids, books and many other items required by a needy child including transportation or food and lodging for children to be treated or assessed medically in Canada.

Any person may make an application for assistance by contacting their nearest Elks or Royal Purple Lodge.

In addition to personal assistance given to individual children through the Fund, there are other programs. In 1968 the Elks and Royal Purple Deaf detection and Development Program was launched to promote and create the best possible services for the Canadian hearing impaired child.

One out of ten children born in Canada have a speech, hearing or communication disorder. Like many ailments, the sooner a child with a hearing loss can be identified and start appropriate treatment, the better the results. Communication is the vital link between human beings. Deafness often means poor communication, for it is through  listening that we learn to talk. Through our ears we gain most of our information about others and the world around us.

Developed to help meet the special needs of children up to the age of 19, anywhere in the country, when funds are not available from any other source. Assistance has been granted for a number of purposes including:

• Camp fees
  

• Hearing Aids / FM systems
  

• Fires and Disasters
  

• Travel
  

• TDD/closed caption units
  

• Wheelchairs/lifts
  

• Home renovations to facilitate improved home care
  

• Medical supplies
  

• Communication devices
  

All applications for personal assistance must be sponsored by a Lodge or Provincial Association to be considered by the National Charities Committee.

Please ensure you are using the most recently revised application.

A program aimed at assisting local efforts in communities nation wide in preventing addictions and promoting healthy choices by our youth.

The Elks and Royal Purple of Canada work with existing addictions awareness organizations/agencies within their communities. Although we are not experts, we assist the experts in as many ways possible. The addiction problem is overwhelming and no one organization can make a difference alone. Many organizations joining together and pledging their different skills and resources will make a difference.

Operational funding for the program is generated through the Elks MasterCard Program as well as through the general funds of the Charity. In view of the fact that revenue from the affinity card is on the decline, the National Charities Committee is continually seeking new ways to create the required revenue.

Go slowly. To begin, get involved in the Elks and Royal Purple Literary, Poster and Video Contest, which has addictions awareness themes annually. Contest materials are free of charge.

Go into schools and interest teachers and kids. Get your local newspaper to print the winning essays and display the posters at a local store, library or City Hall. The 3rd week of November is Addictions Awareness Week annually – a good time to launch a contest or publicize the winners. There are also many provincial activities organized through your local addiction agencies or RCMP.

Look into your own community and find out what's needed by existing organizations and experts in the addictions awareness area. Make calls, write letters, have meetings with the community. Can your Lodge provide free hall space, fundraising or event organizing help, or help distributing addictions awareness information? This is what we mean by assisting any efforts already there. Then decide who you're going to work with. If nothing is already formed, maybe you can help start a community coalition on addictions awareness.

The Elks and Royal Purple Addictions Awareness Program is each Lodge helping in a way that is important to their own community. Get involved and find out what is needed and fill that need.