Members of the Indio Elks Lodge paid a visit to Andrew Jackson and Amelia Earhart elementary schools, both located in Indio, on Wednesday, October 28, to distribute funds to assist in the purchase of personal protection equipment (PPE). Each school received a check for $1,750. The presentations were made by Lodge Exalted Ruler Mechie Nunez-Meents, Grant Chairman David Hinkle, and Co-Chairman Joe Daily.
The funding is part of a national Elks Beacon Grants program and every lodge was allocated $3,500 for schools in their area. Previous Beacon Grants were awarded to schools for sports equipment. A criteria of the grant is that a funded project must be active. Because of the current distance learning model of education, playground toys would not have been an active need. A 40% increase over last year’s funding is being used to help meet current needs.
The Indio Elks Lodge has been awarded the national Beacon Grant for several years. Last year the $2,000 grant was awarded to James Madison Elementary School in Indio for sports equipment. With the changes in this year’s school situation, David Hinckle, chairman, and Joe Dailey, co-chairman, reached out to the principals of Jackson and Earhart elementary schools.
The $1,750 per school will be used to purchase sanitation stations and thermometers.