February marks 149 years as an organization and 119 years of that in Silver City.

This Saturday February 25 Silver City Elks 413 will be not only celebrating 119th year but will be burning their Mortgage Note on their facility having paid off the remaining balance of $100,000 in 18 months by holding a special ceremony attended by New Mexico Elks Association Leaders and Elk Members from across the state.

With great fanfare that included dignitaries from all over the southwest, the military band from Ft. Bayard, and all of downtown decorated in February 1898 the Silver City Elks Lodge #413 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was begun.

Among the living and the dead on the Lodge #413 roster are congressmen, one federal judge, numerous high level state officials, members of the judiciary, state legislators, prominent mining and cattlemen, leaders in business and of the community, and a great number of men and women whose hearts are to help others and have fun doing it. In the 119 years since chartered the Silver City Lodge has had members from all walks of life and takes great pride in all of their accomplishments.

Last year alone, the Elks nationally have donated approximately $283 million in cash, gifts and time to make our communities better places to live. In Silver City alone since 2015 Elks have donated over $81,000 to charity.

Elks volunteers will visit thousands of hospitalized Veterans who have protected our freedoms. The Elks vow, "So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them." The Elks support both active military forces and retired veterans. Elks furnish food, comfort care items, therapeutic items and gifts, host holiday celebrations and recreational activities at bases and hospitals, and stand ready to fulfill any need when called upon. Last year alone, the value of Elks' contributions to the nation's heroes provided more than $32 million to more than 300 Veterans Administration Medical Centers, clinics, and state care facilities. The Elks have entered into a partnership with VHA to support efforts to rescue homeless Veterans in their communities. To this end, the Elks have pledged $4 million dollars to help end Veteran Homelessness.

Annually, the Elks award college scholarships across the nation totaling more than $4 million. The Elks' Community Investments Program [CIP] will award nearly $10 million towards enriching our communities.

The Elks are one of the premier patriotic and charitable organizations in the United States of America.

There are more than 1,900 Elks Lodges across the country with a total membership nearing 800,000. Elks' members must be American citizens who are at least 21 years of age and must believe in God. Find more information at www.silvercityelks.com or www.elks.org.