There are, to be sure, tangible, permanent
monuments to Boulder Lodge’s dedication to community
service. Our first Lodge building, now called the Courthouse
Annex, currently houses the County planning staff. It is a
splendid piece of architecture and was recently designated
an historic landmark. The elk medallions incorporated in the
walls add a gracious touch to the Boulderado Hotel-Courthouse
Square neighborhood.
During the Great Depression, Boulder Lodge contributed both
the material and the volunteer labor to construct Christian
Recht Field at Boulder High School. There wasn’t much
to go around in those days, but it was important that the community
have a place to support our kids’ athletic endeavors.
(The field was named, long after its construction, in memory
of Vice Principal Christian Recht, in honor of his decades
of distinguished service to Boulder High. Incidentally, Christy
was a Boulder Elk.)
In 1948, it was necessary to expand Boulder Community Hospital
to meet the needs of the growing city for medical care. Boulder
Lodge contributed $50,000 toward the construction of the second
wing. (In 1948, $50,000 could also have purchased five or
six three-bedroom houses.)
In the early 1950’s when Boulder was competing with
other cities for the honor of serving as the site of the National
Bureau of Standard, Boulder Lodge made the single largest
contribution toward the fund that secured the site where the
Bureau now stands.
Significant as these contributions are, they pale in comparison
to the |
importance of Boulder Lodge as a human resource,
and nurturer of human resources, for the community. Boulder
Elks have served on city boards and commissions, the City
Council, the Country Planning Board, as County Commissioners,
as members of the Colorado House of Representatives and Senate,
as County and District Court judges, District Attorneys, and
as defense attorneys.
Elk teachers and principals have educated generation of Boulder
kids. Our Boy Scout Troop 77 (which we have sponsored for
more than fifty years) has introduced more than a thousand
boys to the high ideals of scouting. More than fifty of these
scouts have achieved the Eagle rank, and gone on to become community
leaders themselves. We also sponsor two Girl Scout troops,
a Cub Scout Pack, and a Venture Crew. In the past thirty years,
we have awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships
to graduating high school seniors.
Beyond the community, we have dutifully answered our nation’s
call, and Boulder Elks have served in every branch of the
military services in all the century’s conflicts. We
have supported the programs of the Elks’ national organization, contributed significantly to the State Elks Association’s
successes, and the State major project, Laradon Hall.
Through all of this, we have been guided by the principals
of our order and faithfully dealt with our affairs in charity,
justice, and Brotherly love. Under our bushel, there burns
a bright and steady light. |
