The Kenai chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently received a grant from the Elks National Fund and in turn donated $3,750 to the Central Peninsula Hospital Foundation.

The lodge began donating to the CPHF in 2012 and has since donated a total of $13,500, according to a press release.

Lodge trustee Mary Jackson said that the purpose of their Elks Care Fund is to provide medical financial assistance for people who are under-insured or uninsured. Jackson said that CPHF is meant to help cover the cost of major issues like cancer treatment and the Elks Care Fund allows CPHF to offer financial assistance for a wider variety of medical care.

Since the fund was first started, it has helped pay for medical equipment, physical rehabilitation session and transportation costs for under-insured citizens.

“Kenai Lodge #2425 is honored to continue to help our neighbors and community with the Elks Care Fund and work with the CPHF to make this program successful,” said Jackson.

The Kenai lodge receives the grant each year by having a high enough average donation from each lodge member. This year the Kenai lodge averaged $42.85 in donations per member, which was the highest average among Alaska lodges, according to the press release.

Lodge #2425 gives back to the Kenai community in other ways as well. Two weeks ago the lodge celebrated Senior Appreciation Day by inviting the local Pioneers of Alaska to a Hawaiian-themed dinner that they dubbed “Hula Alaska.”

Seniors were treated to dinner and pineapple upside-down cake. Baseball players from a local high school helped serve the dinner along with members of the lodge.

For Easter, the lodge will be celebrating by inviting everyone in the community to an Easter egg hunt, a jelly bean counting contest, a deviled egg contest and a free buffet.

Jackson said that the lodge also supports local education by giving around $8,000 in scholarships to students in Kenai who wish to attend any form of secondary education, whether it’s at a university, vocational school, or community college.

The Kenai Elks Lodge was formed in 1970 and currently has 225 active members.