JAMESBURG–Providing resources to children with disabilities for more than 90 years, the Jamesburg Elk Lodge 2180’s Special Needs Children Committee was established in 1922.
“[The committee] was created so every child with a disability could enjoy life and feel special. Also, so that each lodge can help those families in their community by providing assistance with specific needs such as equipment or home access. Every lodge in New Jersey has a Special Needs Committee,” said Robin Gerhard, Special Needs Children Committee chairperson.
The New Jersey State Elks Association created the Special Needs Children committee in July 1922, according to Gerhard.
“We … help families if they need something for their special needs child. For example, this year a child needed an application put onto his iPad to help him communicate to his family and his peers,” Gerhard said. “We purchased the application for him. We have also helped families in need at the holidays.”
Gerhard said the committee runs fundraisers, holds parties and plans events throughout the year. The next will be a Valentine’s Day party from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Jamesburg Elks Lodge, 74 West Railroad Ave. For the party, Gerhard said there will be food and a DJ.
Gerhard said the committee will also have its annual charity ball in October, which is its largest fundraiser.
With the committee comprised of 18 Elks members, Gerhard said, “We do several parties throughout the year for special needs children and adults. This year we also took a group of Special Needs Children and their families bowling and to a Somerset Patriots game. We raise funds to send children to Elks Camp Moore.”
Gerhard said that Elks Camp Moore is a camp in the Ramapo Mountains run by the New Jersey State Elks Association for special needs children. This year the lodge will be sending nine children and three adults to a week-long camp and three adults to two weekends of respite.
The camp is paid for by the fundraisers the committee does throughout the year, so there is no cost to the families, according to Gerhard.
To help show their support toward the committee, Gerhard said, “If [residents] would like they could come down to the lodge and help with one of our parties and see what we do. They could also join the Elks.”
For more information, visit www.jamesburgelks2180.org/index.php/about/ or call 732-521-2180.
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].