A Sweetheart of Steel
Karen Lang is a Sweetheart with a mission – to raise more money for the local Elks Lodge than any other Sweetheart in history, even if that means beating her own record.
Lang was appointed Elks Lodge 2390 Sweetheart for the second consecutive year on April 1 by Exalted Ruler Kelly Carson. She will reign until March 31. The role of the Lodge Sweetheart is primarily fundraising, Lang said, and last year she brought in $16,000 – all to be spent on local special needs children. This year her goal is to raise $25,000.
Most of the money came from the Big Pig, a three-gallon water tank Lang painted red and used for coin collections at the Lodge.
“We had a district competition where they weighed the pig, then counted the money. The Sweetheart who raised the most money each time won a bonus,” Lang explained. “Our strategy was to fill our pig up with dimes. I won the bonus the first, second and third time.” Altogether, Lang raised $9,000 with her pig.
She also prepares and sells her Sweetheart Suppers every Thursday at the Elks Lodge. The meals are $15 each and feature Lang’s favorite comfort foods. Everyone is welcome to participate.
In addition, Lang organizes special events at the Lodge. A Kentucky Derby Party is set for Saturday, May 4, and that is also open to the public. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the Derby will be telecast at 5:45. There will be a Best Hat Contest, mint juleps and the kitchen will be open. At 7:00 p.m., more horse races will be televised, with gambling “money” available for purchase.
Lang is also planning the Lodge’s annual Bake Sale on July 13 and the Brisket and Rib Cookoff on July 20. The date has not yet been set for the Chili Cookoff.
“Elks does so much for kids, and I would love to use all the money we raise for the kids in our area,” Lang said. The money is distributed through TECSI, Texas Elks Children’s Services Inc., for families of children who need assistive or adaptive equipment, forms of technology and specialized therapies to improve their child’s overall quality of life. Grant applicants must have a doctor’s order for the item(s) requested. “Anything that we haven’t spent locally by December goes in to the district office and distributed from there, so we need to use it before then,” Lang said.
Besides the grant funds, Elks offer several other youth programs. Texas Elks Camp, for children ages 7 to 21 with special needs and/ or in foster care, is available at no cost to qualifying families. The camp is located near Gonzales, TX.
The Hoop Shoot is a free throw program for those ages 8 to 13. Each year the six Hoop Shoot National Champions will have their names and pictures listed in a digital exhibit in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Americanism Essay Contest is geared toward students in fifth through eighth grades to promote patriotism among young people. The Elks offer Drug Awareness materials for local schools and provide online resources on the topic. They also provide scholarships to deserving high school students.
Dalhart Elks Lodge 2390 is located at 122 N. Jefferson Street. For more information about Elks or any of its programs, please contact Karen Lang at 806-676-5558.
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