named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Children's Christmas Party
Annual holiday event featuring Santa Claus, pizza, and gifts for over 70 local children.
Elks Youth Hoop Shoot
Basketball free-throw competition for boys and girls in multiple age groups, with winners advancing to district and regional levels.
Feed Our Vets
Supports veteran hunger relief through donations and volunteer assistance with groceries for veterans and their families.
Junior Golf Tournament
Annual golf event for youth ages 10–17 held at Thompson Park Golf Course, promoting sportsmanship and etiquette.
Veterans Day Luncheon
Annual luncheon honoring veterans with a ceremony, guest speaker, and community gathering.
Warm Hands Warm Feet Project
Provides winter clothing such as mittens and boots to children from financially strapped families through a partnership with CAPC.
Welcome Home Kit Program
Provides homeless veterans with essential household items when transitioning into permanent housing, in partnership with Peer-to-Peer Veterans Outreach Center.
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Education 1 activity
- Administers educational and prevention outreach for youthConducts drug awareness education initiatives aimed at youth as part of its community engagement and youth development mission.
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Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Conducts fundraising and entertainment eventsHosts fundraising events such as Comedy Night, Dueling Pianos, progressive raffles ($1 tickets), pizza sales, and historical charity events like exhibition baseball games, concerts, and testimonial dinners to support Lodge and veteran programs.
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Back-to-School Supply Distribution 1 activity
- Distributes dictionaries and school supplies to childrenOperates a Dictionary Program providing free dictionaries to third graders and runs a backpack program distributing school supplies to children in need.
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Veteran Support Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funds scholarships and emergency support for veteransAwards grants including a $1,000 grant to Joseph P Dwyer Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support for emergency housing and financial support to veteran assistance programs such as Feed Our Vets and the Veteran's Outreach Center.
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Memorial and Veteran Honor Services 1 activity
- Honors veterans and conducts patriotic observancesRecognizes military service of veteran members, hosts an annual Veterans Dinner, conducts Memorial Sunday services, observes the 11 O’clock Toast ritual, and participates in Flag Day commemorations.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosts community events and celebrationsHosts recurring community events including an annual Veterans Dinner, Children’s Christmas Party, Back To School Bash, LAX Fun Day, harvest dinner, clambake, and New Year’s Eve celebration, often featuring food, entertainment, and giveaways.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Hosts themed dining and social events for membersOffers weekly member-focused events including Friday night dinners at reduced prices, 'Wings and Things' on Mondays, steak service on Tuesdays, Thursday Night Cruise-In with proceeds supporting Veteran Programs, and occasional karaoke, dancing, and lounge activities.
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Amateur Sports Competition Programming 1 activity
- Hosts youth development and skills competitionsOrganizes and hosts annual youth sports competitions including Hoop Shoot (basketball), Soccer Shoot, and Junior Golf Tournament for children ages 10–17, promoting sportsmanship and skill development. Winners advance to district and regional levels.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Operates lodge facilities for members and public rentalOperates a lodge with dining room (seats 225), game room (capacity 100), bar area (capacity 46), and meeting room (accommodates 100), offering regular public hours and renting spaces for private events such as weddings, parties, and meetings at fixed rates.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Provides winter clothing and essential items to children and veteransDonates mittens, boots, gloves, socks, and other winter clothing to children from financially strapped families and delivers Welcome Home Kits with household essentials to homeless veterans transitioning into housing.
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Youth Scouting Program Support 1 activity
- Sponsors scouting and youth organizationsSponsors Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs, contributing to youth leadership development and producing multiple Eagle Scouts through sustained involvement.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$382K
Contributions & grants$127K33%
Program service revenue$69K18%
Investment income$310%
Other revenue$186K
expenses
Total expenses$434K
Program expenses0%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$124K
Grants paid out$6K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$697K
Cash$208K
Investments$0
Liabilities$88K
Net assets$609K
Liquid reserves5.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -11.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BETH A BENNETT | TREASURER | 10 | $5K |
| DENNIS BRADY | SECRETARY | 5 | $4K |
board members · 7
- ANNE FLEMING — TRUSTEE
- ANTHONY DEMICELI — LEADING KNIG
- BETH CASSANDRA — TRUSTEE
- JAY MILLER — TRUSTEE
- JOAN CARLO — TRUSTEE
- PHILIP NUFFER — EXALTED RULE
- THOMAS M LYNCH — LECTURING KN
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Network — Member lodge of the national Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks organization.
- Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Network — Member lodge participating in the national Elks organization and attending national conventions.
- Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the United States of America Network — Local lodge within the national Elks organization structure.
- CAPC Partner — Collaborated with CAPC to support the Warm Hands Warm Feet project, including purchasing mittens and boots for children in need.
- Elks National Foundation Government — Partners with the Elks National Foundation to support charitable programs.
- Elks National Foundation Network — Participates in the Elks National Foundation's scholarship program and fundraising efforts.
- Father Flanagan's Boys' Home Partner — Partnered with Watertown Elks Lodge 496 to present concerts by the Boy's Town Choir on three occasions
- Feed Our Vets Partner — Partner organization receiving donations and volunteer support from Watertown Elks Lodge #496 for veteran food assistance.
- Feed Our Vets Partner — Represented at the Veterans Dinner by guest speaker Irene Riley.
- Frosty’s Ice Cream Partner — Partnered with Frosty’s Ice Cream to co-host the Back To School Bash, with Frosty’s supplying ice cream for the event.
- Joseph P Dwyer Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support Partner — Receives grant funding from Watertown Elks Lodge for temporary emergency housing for local veterans.
- Ladycliff College Partner — Collaborated with Watertown Elks Lodge 496 by sending 40 young women to join the U.S. Military Academy chorus in a 1974 concert
- Lowville Elks Lodge Partner — Hosts the district-level youth soccer shoot for winners from Watertown Elks Lodge’s local contest.
- MVP Insurance Partner — Partnered with Lodge member Kelly Bragger of MVP Insurance for the Back To School Bash.
- New York State Elks Association Network — Member of the New York State Elks Association, supporting its designated charity focus on Cerebral Palsy.
- Oswego Elks Lodge Partner — Hosts the regional youth soccer shoot following the district competition.
- Paul K. Majo Memorial Fireplace Partner — Memorial fireplace installed in the game room, named in honor of Paul K. Majo.
- Peer-to-Peer Outreach Center Partner — Represented at the Veterans Dinner by guest speaker David Nunez.
- Peer-to-Peer Veterans Outreach Center Partner — Recipient of Welcome Home Kit deliveries from Watertown Elks Lodge #496.
- Salvation Army of Watertown, NY Partner — Recipient of donated items collected by Watertown Elks Lodge #496.
- Spokes on the Green Partner — Food provider for participants of the Annual Elks Junior Golf Tournament.
- St. Patrick's Orphanage and Children's Home of Jefferson County Partner — Hosted a visit by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig organized by Watertown Elks Lodge 496
- Thompson Park Golf Course Partner — Host venue for the Annual Elks Junior Golf Tournament in partnership with Watertown Elks Lodge #496.
- U.S. Military Academy Partner — Partnered with Watertown Elks Lodge 496 to present a chorus concert in December 1974
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Member-Driven Community Philanthropymethodology: member_funded_givingBy channeling charitable giving through member-sponsored initiatives and local collaboration, the Lodge ensures community-responsive programming, because decentralized, member-led funding increases ownership and aligns support with locally identified needs.
- Values-Based Fraternal Engagementmethodology: fraternal_organization_modelBy organizing membership around shared values of charity, patriotism, and belief in God, the Lodge fosters durable member commitment and collective action for community service, because alignment on core principles strengthens internal cohesion and motivates sustained participation.
- Veteran Support Through Recognition and Material Aidmethodology: veteran_support_modelBy combining public acts of remembrance with direct material assistance, the Lodge strengthens community engagement and veteran well-being, because honoring service builds public awareness while tangible support addresses concrete needs of transitioning veterans.