When it comes to community events, it's hard to imagine Elks Lodge No. 2127 or Emblem Club No. 350 not being involved.

Activities for scholarship dollars, literacy in the schools, helping students finance out-of-state travel, wounded veterans, fundraisers for community members whose homes have been destroyed or are facing serious medical challenges or any of a number of issues Elks and the Emblem Club are there.

Saturday, they're at it again with the annual July Fourth scholarship barbecue. Admission is $15 at the door or free with a $100 raffle ticket. In addition to food and games for the kids, a raffle drawing begins at 1 p.m. with more than $16,000 in cash prizes.

Far from being the only fundraiser supporting local students, there also is Wednesday night bingo, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the downstairs of the Homer Elks club. It raises scholarship dollars "for all high schools students from Ninilchik south," said Sue Arseneau, current Homer Emblem Club president.

"We raise $8,000 a year for scholarships," Jan Jonker said of the local Elks' effort. Jonker is secretary of the local lodge, past exalted ruler of the Homer lodge and past president of the Alaska State Elks Association. "The state spends $27,000 on scholarships and nationally it's $2.2 million."

Emblem Club's scholarship fundraising reaches $4,000 locally, according to Fran Van Sandt, past president of Homer Emblem Club.

Supporting students in other ways, the local Emblem Club raised $27,000 this spring to send a group of local eighth-grade students to Washington, D.C. The activity began several years ago through the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, but is no longer a district-sponsored event.

"Now the eighth-grade trip is under Emblem Club," Van Sandt said.

The club also purchases $4,500 in books to support the annual Battle of the Books, a reading incentive program. That support makes it possible for many students in grades 3-12 to participate. In 2008, Battle of the Books support won the Homer club a "First Place Literacy Award" on the national level. Following up on that, the local Emblem Club was singled out as Alaska's "Club of the Year" based on points earned in the areas of Americanism, community service, literacy, drug awareness, newsletter and press correspondent.

Earlier this month, a golf tournament at Fireweed Meadows in Anchor Point drew 14 golfers and raised $2,000 for the Elks' Wounded Veterans Project, according to Jan Jonker.

"We're big on veterans," Jonker said of support for veterans coming from 17 lodges around the state. Funds raised in events such as the golf tournament helped take a group of 100 veterans out to Caribou Lake and another group fishing on the Kenai River, said Justin Cole, Homer's current exalted ruler.

When firefighters on the Mile 17 East End Road wildland fire needed food, the Emblem Club was there. Using the club's $100 disaster fund, members "cooked 150 meals morning and afternoon for four weeks," Arseneau said. The club's efforts inspired donations from others.

"Our sister club in Skagway sent their $100 disaster fund, too," Arseneau said.

On top of all that, the Elks Lodge and Emblem Club offer the area lots of just-because-its-fun activities. Easter egg hunts for youngsters. Thanksgiving dinners, with away-from-home Coast Guard personnel and other active and retired military invited as guests of honor. Dress-up parties that offer an excuse to put aside jeans and Xtra Tufs in favor of formals and ties.

If it isn't the Elks or the Emblem Club, it's the clubhouse at 215 West Jenny Lane that is benefiting the community. Since being built in 1978, the clubhouse has been a site for fundraising spaghetti feeds, cancer awareness events, wedding receptions, craft sales, auctions and barbecues. The list is endless.

"The building is in constant use," Jonker said.

With 50 years in Homer and 291 members in the Elks Lodge, and with 135 members in Emblem Club, it's easy to see how they would have their pulse on what's happening.

Align that with the groups' guiding principles, and they're a busy bunch.

A national organization, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks dates back to the 1860s. Its principles are reflected in acts of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity; a belief in God; the welfare and happiness of its members; a spirit of American patriotism; fellowship; and service to people and communities.

Emblem Club's roots date back to 1917, when a small group of Elks' ladies met to wrap bandages for World War I. Emblem Club is dedicated to charitable acts in the community, the state and the nation; the unity of all Emblem Clubs, good fellowship among members; promoting and protecting the interests of its clubs; and bearing allegiance to the United States, its constitution and its flag.

Members of Elks can join Emblem Club and vice versa, with the two organizations working together to support national and local needs.

For Jonker, being an Elk is a way of giving something back.

"It's doesn't matter if it's children or the less fortunate," he said. "I've been fortunate to have the life I have. It's a moral obligation."

Van Sandt's focus also is on serving the community.

"I love what Elks stands for," she said.

Anyone interested in joining the Elks Lodge or Emblem Club can contact the lodge at 235-2127. A member sponsor is needed in order to join. Completing an application, having it approved and transitioning through an initiation process takes approximately two months.

"We need young families, new ideas," Arseneau said. "We are always looking for new members."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.