Oglesby Elks donates $500 to 5 local departments' Christmas gift giving programs

Donations possible with supplemental grant from Illinois Elks Association

Oglesby Elks Club members Ken Ficek and Paul Danekas pass checks to (second from the left) Spring Valley Officer Christian Rios for their Winter Wish Tree; Oglesby Police Chief Mike Margis (center) for their Shop with a Cop, and Elks member Lynne Schlink, accepting for the Ottawa program. (Photo provided by Ken Ficek)

December 15, 2024 at 2:22 am CST

Oglesby Ottawa Elks distributed $500 check to each of five local police departments for their Christmas children’s gift giving programs.

Along with distribution to Oglesby, Spring Valley and Ottawa departments, checks also were delivered to La Salle for its Officer Santa program and to Peru for its Red and Blue Santa program.

These donations were made possible with a supplemental grant from the Illinois Elks Association. The Elks motto is “Elks care and Elks share.”

A $500 check was presented to Cpl. Det. Matthew Najdeenovich and other members of the Ottawa Police Department by Elk members Lynne Schlink, Sara Smith, Kay Olson and Tim Creedon to help provide Christmas gifts for the children in need in the Ottawa area. (Photo provided by Ken Ficek)