Cedar Rapids Elks Lodge #251 is demonstrated “Elks Care-Elks Share” by donating $3,500.00 from an ENF Community Investment Program Beacon Grant to Mission of Hope. This organization is currently providing much needed food and clothing to those in need in our community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but also after the devastating Derecho that swept through our community with hurricane wind speeds up to 140 mph.
Our Mission
to inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
Our Goal
Elks Lodges bring so much more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.
Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children, Veterans and community needs.
Eric Whipple President of the Iowa Elks Association
A twenty-year member of the Charles City Elks Lodge #418, 45 year-old Eric Whipple started in the Tiler seat for his first officer position in 2012. He then had the pleasure of completing each of the four primary officer chairs culminating in 2017 as Exalted Ruler. Eric committed to serving five more years as a Lodge Trustee after his ER year. Throughout the years Eric has served as Chairperson of the Activities Committee and Flag Day Committee; is currently a member of the Scholarship Committee; and is the current Chairperson of the local PER Association as well as the State Major Project Committee at #418. Eric also serves as the Vice President of the Charles City Elks Charitable Trust Board.
At the State level, he served as the Northeast District Vice President in 2021-22, and President Elect in 2023-24. In between those two State positions, Eric was Esquire to PDDGER Wertman for the Northeast District. Eric also became the Iowa Northeast District Chairperson for Public Relations in 2022, a position that he still holds.
Eric has selected his motto to be “Taking the Future of Elkdom by Storm”. In an effort to continue Past State President Elsberry’s initiatives, Eric hopes to focus on the importance of getting our youth involved within the local Lodges to create long-lasting memories of the Elks. In doing this he hopes that, when they are old enough, they will join one of our Lodges because of the fond memories they have. Eric believes that one of the best and easiest ways to accomplish this is to have current members bring their children and grandchildren to enjoy the many family-oriented events that the Elks have to offer. Also on the radar this year: encouraging local Lodges to look into, and at least begin implementing, an Antlers program which will even better solidify the potential of our youth to join our great Order and foster growth within each of our Lodges.
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“Elkdom’s Heart For America” 
“Taking the Future of Elkdom by Storm“
Our Mission
to inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
Our Goal
Elks Lodges bring so much more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.
Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children, Veterans and community needs.
