[KHTS] – The Santa Clarita Elks Lodge hosted a fundraiser Saturday in Canyon Country to benefit the Emblem Club, Elks Lodge and the Elks’ Handicapped Children’s Fund.

“By far the the bulk of the money raised today will go to the Handicapped Children Fund, and that’s a state fund,” Skip Henke, former Exalted Ruler of the Santa Clarita Elks Lodge and current California-Hawaii Elks Association State President, said. “This particular year we raised $3,243,000 that we used to pay for physical therapists throughout the state that help handicapped children. Their families apply for assistance, and they don’t have to be an Elks member to apply.”

Saturday’s event featured a multitude of different forms of entertainment including a car show, chili cook-off, a boutique with dozens of private vendors, a bake sale by the Emblem Club, basket raffles, a kids carnival and several types of food for participants, such as tri-tip and hot dogs.

Grace Elliot, Elks member and volunteer at the event, said the Elks focus on staying active in the community through helping charities throughout Santa Clarita.

“The lodge is family oriented,” Elliot said. “Were expanding and getting members constantly. It’s a small lodge but a very active lodge. We raise a lot of money for the Senior Center and the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry and many other charities in Santa Clarita.”

Vendors in the lodge were selling various wares, from wood carvings to jewelry and handbags. Approximately 30 vehicles were set up for viewing in the Elks lodge parking lot and included dune buggies, muscle cars and a wood panelled car, decked out with the necessary surf equipment.

“This is our 5th year,” Shelley Tomson, Elks member and Chairperson of the event, said. “We just did a car show and chili cook-off before, and this year we expanded it to the boutique and carnival. Our main purpose here today is to help handicapped children.”

The Elks Lodge is always accepting new members and hosting various community events throughout the year.

– Dale Fairclough