HOULTON, Maine – The Houlton Lodge of Elks 835 recently made its annual donation to The Bridge to Hope Foundation and Sarah’s House of Maine.
“The Houlton Lodge of Elks 835 is extremely grateful for both of these wonderful organizations and the support they provide to our community members,” said Elizabeth Grant, exalted ruler. “This project was made possible by the 2023 Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Through its Community Investments Program, the Elks National Foundation awards grants to local Elks Lodges to help the Elks strengthen their communities.”
A check for $1,000 was presented to each organization to help support their mission.
Both of these charities meet the needs of local patients undergoing cancer treatments. The Bridge to Hope foundation provides financial and community support to patients in southern Aroostook County and Sarah’s House of Maine provides temporary housing for patients traveling to the Bangor area for their care.
Cathy Sjogre, administrative coordinator at Sarah’s House, is presented a check for $1,000 by Robert Cleary, secretary of the Houlton Lodge of Elks, as part of the Elks’ annual donation. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Grant)
Helping people in southern Aroostook County with financial support is the mission of the non-profit group called “Bridge to Hope.”
The group has helped hundreds of families over the past years, with such kind gestures as gasoline gift cards and hotel accommodations to aid with travel expenses and provide moral support to patients and families of those undergoing cancer treatments or having appointments in central and southern Maine.
The mission of Sarah’s House, also a non-profit group, is to provide temporary lodging in a comfortable “home away for home” environment to cancer patients (and their caregivers) receiving treatments at Cancer Care.
They serve a vast area for cancer treatment, and convenient lodging is essential for patients and caregivers. At Sarah’s House, they not only provide an affordable place to stay, but a supportive and caring atmosphere centered around hope and healing. Referred guests are served with integrity and respect and without regard to financial resources.
Contact information for Sarah’s House of Maine, 346 Main Road, Holden ME 04429 Phone: (207) 989-1683, E-mail: sarahshousemanager@gmail.com
Sarah’s House can also be found online at https://www.sarahshouseofmaine.org/
To get involved with this or other Elks Lodge projects, email Exalted Ruler, Elizabeth Grant at houltonelks@pwless.net. For more information about how the Elks National Foundation invests in local communities, visit the Elks National Foundation website at www.elks.org/enf/community.
