Fairfield Elks plant trees at O.B. Nelson Park

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Elks planted trees in O.B. Nelson Park earlier this month, continuing their tradition of planting trees in a city park every year.

The Elks members gathered at the park on Oct. 12 where they planted 17 trees, with help from Oakwood Nursery and the Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department. The Elks hope that these newly planted trees will help make up for the loss of trees caused by the Emerald Ash Borer that has devastated the state’s ash trees.

Funding for the tree planting came from a Beacon Grant through the Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Doug Bagby, past exalted ruler of Fairfield Elks and Elks National Foundation chairperson, said the Beacon Grant became available in 2013 to plant trees, and Fairfield Elks has used it every year since to plant trees in Fairfield’s city parks.

“We’ve planted more than 200 trees in that 10-year period all over town, wherever [parks director] Pam Craff wants them to be planted,” Bagby said.

The Elks have planted a large share of those trees in Chautauqua Park, which has lost a large number of ash trees. In recent years, the club also planted trees at Waterworks Park, and this year opted to add trees to O.B. Nelson.

“And these are big trees, too,” Bagby said. “We have a $3,000 budget for this project. With inflation, we’re not able to buy quite as many trees as we used to.”

Now that the tree planting project is in the books, Fairfield Elks is planning for its next community project, “Shop With a Hero,” where underprivileged children go shopping with a first responder and a member of the Elks.

“We established that program five years ago,” Bagby said. “One of our lodge members, working at the schools, realized there was a need coming from children in disadvantaged homes, so we decided to do something for them. We got all the first responders in the county involved, from police, sheriff and fire departments.”

The Elks and schools work together to identify children most in need, and then those children are given $50 to go shopping for Christmas presents at Walmart, where they shop for themselves and for their family members.

“A lot of times, they go over the budget, and either a first responder or an Elks member will pay the difference,” Bagby said. “It’s nice because the kids are escorted in emergency vehicles like the fire trucks or sheriff’s cars.”

“Shop With a Hero” is done the first Saturday in December. After the shopping spree, the kids and their families are invited to the Elks Lodge on the west side of the square for a pizza party with Santa Claus. Families receive a $150 food voucher from Hy-Vee, too.

On Oct. 13, the Fairfield Elks Lodge hosted a Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce Member Mixer, where the public could learn about the Elks while enjoying free food. Bagby said it was a nice opportunity to let people know all the things the club is doing.

“We don’t do a good job of promoting ourselves, so this was one way to let the community know what we do,” Bagby said. “A lot of the things we do fly under the radar.”

Another upcoming event that Fairfield Elks will participate in is Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug program in schools that runs from Oct. 23-31.

“We’re very involved in that,” Bagby said. “Law enforcement comes to schools like Pence, and talks to the kids about drug awareness, tobacco, alcohol, things like that. We’re the largest organization in the nation that does that.”

When the summer rolls around, the Elks members can look forward to helping with the Flag Day ceremony, usually conducted in Central Park after the Jefferson County Fair Parade and before the Fairfield Municipal Band concert.

Fairfield Elks boasts 458 dues-paying members. The club also raises funds for its national foundation, which is generous in giving back to its local affiliates.

“For the last 10 years, we’ve gotten back more than $2 for every dollar our members contributed to the Elks National Foundation,” Bagby said.

Those interested in learning more about the Elks or becoming a member can contact Bagby at dglsbagby@yahoo.com or by calling 641-680-0753.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com