Lottie Ireland named Elk of the Year

    The Presque Isle Elks’ Lodge 1954 held a Member Appreciation Night on Saturday, March 14 and at the event, Exalted Ruler Alan Harding presented the Elk of the Year Award to Lottie Ireland of Presque Isle.
Ireland was one of the first women admitted as a member of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge in 1996. Prior to her admission as a member of the lodge, she had worked for decades at the Elks Lodge as a member of the Elks Emblem Club.
Shortly after she became a member of the Elks Lodge, Ireland took on the position of chairperson for the Presque Isle Elks’ National Service Committee. In that position, she championed the causes of military service veterans. Ireland implemented the Adopt-a-Vet program, which provided essential appliances and other household goods to economically disadvantaged veterans.
She also organized entertainment for veterans at the Maine Veterans Home in Caribou, where for many years the Presque Isle Elks have held games of bingo for veterans with cash prizes at no cost to the veterans.
For her work as chair of the National Service Committee, the Presque Isle Elks this year nominated Ireland to be the Elks Veterans Volunteer of the Year.
In addition to her service as chairperson of the Elks’ National Service Committee, Lottie has also volunteered her time during most Elks events.
“At 85 years of age, Lottie has still stood ready to volunteer her time whenever she could be helpful at an Elks event or charitable endeavor,” Harding said. “She has been an inspiration to all of the Presque Isle Elks, who universally recognize Lottie as truly worthy of this most prestigious award.”