Indiana Elks Lodge #931 Donates $1,600 to Local Organizations

Indiana Elks Lodge #931 distributed $1,600 in donations to two local community organizations on April 7, 2026, as part of its ongoing philanthropic efforts in Indiana County.

The funding was split between two entities: $1,000 was donated to Family Promise of Indiana County, and $600 was provided to the Citizens’ Ambulance Service.

According to the Indiana Gazette, these specific contributions were funded through a portion of ticket sales generated by the Elks during December 2025 and February 2026.

Funding for Emergency Medical Services

The $600 donation to the Citizens’ Ambulance Service is intended for the organization’s general fund. Rob Walbeck, the President of the Citizens’ Board of Directors, stated that these funds will be used to help finance emergency medical services within the county.

Walbeck noted that the organization is currently facing a critical level of funding. He indicated that Medicare and Medicaid are not providing sufficient reimbursement for the current cost of readiness.

Diane Dalessio, the Elks Trustee and Fundraising and Entertainment Chair, explained that the organization was selected because We see consistently in need of funding. She highlighted the role of first responders, noting that they are the first people called for any kind of accident, sickness, or emergency, yet they are often not given enough credit.

Broader Community Impact

The April 7 donations are part of a larger pattern of community support from the Lodge. Dalessio stated that the Elks donate 20 percent of all small games of chance proceeds back to the community.

Between January 2026 and April 2026, the Indiana Elks have donated more than $3,000 to various local causes.

Additional recent activities and donations by Lodge #931 include:

• A $600 donation to the Alice Paul House.
• Providing Christmas cheer for homebound veterans.
• Hosting a Miracle League Christmas party.
• Supporting local food pantries through entertainment and activities.
• Sponsoring the Hoop Shoot competition, which netted six winners and advanced one participant to the State Elks Hoop Shoot.

The donation ceremony on April 7 was attended by Indiana Elks Lodge #931 Exalted Ruler Alan Hicks, as well as Family Promise board members Aaron Lehman and Linda Ireland, and Citizens’ Board of Directors President Rob Walbeck and Trustee Diane Dalessio.