Severna Park Elks Celebrates 50 Years Of Community Involvement

Americanism, acknowledgement of veterans and community involvement.

According to Loyal Knight Phil Hicks, those values are the pillars of the Severna Park Elks foundation.

The lodge was founded 50 years ago by community members who wanted a site between the Glen Burnie and Annapolis lodges. They originally met at Severna Park Elementary School in 1971 to gauge interest in creating a new lodge in Severna Park. After a good turnout and interest in forming a lodge, a charter was granted in June of 1972 for the Severna Park Elks Lodge.

The founders converted a vacant farmhouse on Truck House Road to a meeting site in May 1973. Through continuous fundraising efforts, the farmhouse was razed, and the current lodge was built on that site in 1983.

The club currently boasts 400 members and is active in the central Anne Arundel County region.

“Our big events are the fundraisers like the bull and oyster roasts, crab feasts, luaus, and Christmas and Easter events,” said Lecturing Knight Ronnie Culotta. “We also see a good amount of revenue from renting our banquet hall.”

The Elks banquet hall is one of the largest in the region and has hosted an array of community events and fundraisers over the years. Happenings as varied as weddings, bingo events, birthday parties, office holiday parties and quinceañeras have been held at the hall.

As members of a nonprofit organization, the Elks take pride in giving back to the local community.

“One of our focuses is helping the less fortunate families with our donations,” Culotta said. “Each year, we have Toys for Tots and the Angel Tree campaign, trunk or treat at Halloween, our Blue Ribbon Project where we provide backpacks to children with school and home supplies, and we also sponsor children at Camp Barrett so our young people can experience a summer camp.”

The Elks also assist families during holidays throughout the year.

“We provide food baskets at Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter,” said Leading Knight Andre Denault, adding that 50 baskets were provided to needy families during the most recent Christmas season.

Another one of the cornerstones is recognizing veterans for their service to the country. The Elks offer a free Veterans Day luncheon to anyone with a service background to express their gratitude.

To showcase its American pride, the Elks have a Flag Day celebration and have a ceremony to recognize their police officer and firefighter of the year.

“We also organize numerous events for our members,” said Exalted Ruler Terry Hicks. “We really want our members to enjoy the camaraderie of the club, such as the Sunday breakfasts, comedy nights, special dinners, and just watching a football game in the lounge. We also arrange numerous day trips for our senior group to go on destinations in the mid-Atlantic area.”

Over the previous 50 years of community involvement, the Elks have provided $3 million to support projects, youth groups and the less fortunate. They also provide college scholarships to high school students in need, as well as youth sport groups.

To rent the banquet hall at the Severna Park Elks Club, which can hold up to 350 seats, contact Lynne Bailey at 443-510-6319. Membership information is available by calling 410-647-2482.