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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE ROCK HILL ELK LODGE NO. 1318 ON THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO WISH THE LODGE MEMBERS MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that the Rock Hill Elk Lodge No. 1318 will celebrate a century of meaningful dedication to the Rock Hill community and beyond; and
Whereas, founded on March 19, 1915, following the dissolution of the old Palmetto Club, the first meeting of the Rock Hill Elk Lodge No. 1318 convened on the second floor of a building on East Main Street that also housed Patterson's 10-and-25-cents store; and
Whereas, early officers included the late S. J. Poag, Exalted Ruler; T. W. Huey, Leading Knight; B. N. Craig, Loyal Knight; George Jenkins, Lecturing Knight; I. B. Cauthen, Secretary; James P. Poag, Treasurer; F. E. Cross, Tiler; and J. L. Phillips, Julian Johnson, and Harry Ruff as trustees; and
Whereas, the Rock Hill Elks moved from Patterson's and met above Rock Hill Hardware and then over the old Perwinkle Tea Room. In 1924, a fire caused the Elks to move into temporary quarters, and later they returned to the old Masonic Hall building; and
Whereas, in April 1938, the Lodge moved to a building known as the Lillie Love home and stayed there until the Elks, tired of moving as membership grew, bought the J. E. Reid home on East Main Street in January 1940. They retired the mortgage in 1943; and
Whereas, a $35,000 expansion in 1947 added a dining room to hold seventy-five persons, second-floor meeting hall, well-equipped kitchen, game room in the basement, and spacious parking lot; and
Whereas, in 1961, the Lodge moved to a new building on East Main Street, but as membership grew to 2100 in 1966, further expansion became necessary. Community groups, including the Rock Hill Fire Department, Police Department, and School District, have enjoyed the use of the Lodge and the Lake Wylie recreational facilities; and
Whereas, in 1996, the National Elks allowed women to join, and the Rock Hill Elk Lodge No. 1318 initiated the first class of nineteen women in 1998. Over the years, the Lodge has had the distinction of winning the national initiation ritual competition four times; and
Whereas, in conjunction with the South Carolina Elks Association, the Rock Hill Elk Lodge No. 1318 supports such Elks projects as the Alzheimer's Program, State Deer Hide program, State Drug Awareness program, and State Youth Activity programs; and
Whereas, dedicated to the community, Rock Hill Elk Lodge No. 1318 works closely with area youth, veterans, community shelters, and community needs centers and participates in the Elks Hoop Shoot and Soccer Shoot for youth ages eight to thirteen, Red Ribbon Week in October, and the Dictionary Project. The Drug Awareness Education Program is an exhibit the Lodge takes to area schools and community events. The Lodge also sponsors a baseball team and supports area agencies such as Pilgrims Inn, Children's Attention Home, The Haven Men's Shelter, Safe Passage, HOPE, Salvation Army, Area II Special Olympics, and the Empty Stocking Fund. Elk Lodge No. 1318 actively supports the Worthy Boys and Girls Camp sponsored by the Rock Hill Police Department, funding one of the first cabins built there in 1949; and
Whereas, working in cooperation with York, Chester, and Lancaster counties, the Lodge supports the Come-See-Me Festival in Rock Hill, Summerfest in York, the Red Rose Festival in Lancaster, the Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill, the Pack the Pack school program, and area soup kitchens; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate appreciates the active and outstanding outreach of Rock Hill Elk Lodge No. 1318 to meet vital needs in the community, and the members celebrate with them this significant milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Rock Hill Elk Lodge No. 1318 on the joyous occasion of its one hundredth anniversary and wish the Lodge members many years of continued service to the community.
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