Portsmouth Elks Lodge continues to make a difference at Chase Home

Blog > Portsmouth Elks Lodge continues to make a difference at Chase Home

As the result of several recent charitable initiatives by Portsmouth Elks Lodge #97, The Chase Home for Children is better positioned to meet the needs of youth and families in crisis.

Portsmouth Elks with Chase Home's Meme Wheeler on the bottom right
Portsmouth Elks with Chase Home’s Meme Wheeler on the bottom right.

Most recently, Portsmouth Elks Lodge #97 awarded a $2,500 grant to pay for and install a freestanding icemaker and two Ninja Commercial Blenders in Chase Home’s full-service kitchen.

“These kinds of improvements might seem small, but they’re really critical,” said Meme Wheeler, Executive Director at Chase Home. “We feel this is a great way to promote healthy eating habits…We really can’t thank the Elks enough for their efforts and the profound and lasting impact on our residents.”

The Elks also recently hosted a pair of events on Chase Home’s behalf. On September 17, the lodge conducted its hugely popular “Meat and Lobster Raffle” in which nearly $800 was raised for Chase Home in less than 2 hours.

Two days later on September 19, the Elks hosted a pizza party for Chase Home where residents were given a juice and smoothie cookbook to accompany the new blenders.

According to Sharon Curcio of Portsmouth Lodge #97, the Elks’ current efforts represent their longstanding commitment to support vulnerable populations.

“We’re a service organization—and whether it means reaching out to veterans, senior citizens, or young people—our mission is to help,” she said. “As long as there’s a need—and I think there will always be one at Chase Home—we’ll continue to do whatever we can to help them.”

Curcio said they also enjoyed meeting the residents at Chase Home.

“The kids were so kind to us, and many of them came over thanked us personally,” she said. “I think they really enjoyed themselves.”

Last year, Chase Home was awarded a $2,500 grant by the Elks to help renovate a bedroom and bathroom designated for the facility’s Independent Living Program (ILP). More than a dozen Elks members volunteered for the project, which included refurbishing the bathtub as well as furnishing and painting the apartment.

Launched in 2016 with financial assistance from Lonza Biologics and Newburyport Five Cents Savings Charitable Foundation, ILP provides apartment-style living space for older teens.

Founded in 1877, Chase Home mission is “dedicated to providing supportive and restorative residential and family services to at-risk youth in a safe and nurturing environment.” Major sponsors of Chase Home in 2017 include The Gove Group Real Estate in Stratham.

To learn more about Chase Home, visit www.chasehome.org.