Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, again assisted the Van Wert City-County DARE program with the annual DARE graduation party held Friday evening, May 20, at the YMCA. A total of 300 boys and girls from Van Wert County schools converged on the local YMCA to enjoy a fun filled evening. The students had the opportunity to play basketball, swim, dance and visit and socialize with classmates. Members of the local Elks lodge were busy grilling hamburgers and hot dogs to feed the hungry boys and girls. The Elks lodge provides the food for the local event each year and prepares the it for the hungry youngsters. Funding for the graduation food is made available to the local lodge from the Elks National Foundation in the form of a Promise Grant, which is available to local lodges that want to sponsor drug and alcohol free events in the community. Shown is local Elks lodge member Chuck Langdon preparing hamburgers for the hungry crowd. (Elks photo)
