Graduations are well under way and, while students and teachers head into a much-deserved summer break, the team at IFCS is focused on preparations for the coming school year! Ready, Set, School! is an IFCS’ enrichment program that offers seasonal assistance to low-income households. This year, Ready, Set, School! will provide new backpacks full of grade-appropriate school supplies to 303 kindergarten through 8th grade school children, representing 157 families. In addition, each backpack will contain nutritious snacks, a gift card for additional supplies, and a bag of produce for the family. This program is possible through an annual drive, which pairs generous community sponsors with income-qualified students who pre-registered for school supply assistance.
Many individual donors and larger corporate/community groups support IFCS’ Ready, Set, School!. The Littleton Elks of Lodge #1650 is one of these community groups, sponsoring large quantities of students each year. Tanya Apel volunteers with the Littleton Elks and is chair of their Youth Activities Committee. She has always been an advocate for youth, especially those in families who are struggling to make ends meet. Tanya told me that she grew up very poor, and it was a big deal to have good quality items, such as Crayola Crayons—the kind with a sharpener built into the back of the box! She remembers that her family couldn’t afford those luxurious crayons and now, through her volunteering, she hopes to ensure that kids in similar situations have quality school supplies.
Tanya started volunteering with the Elks Lodge in Littleton four years ago. Her grandfather was a member of the Elks Lodge, and her grandmother was a Lady Elk (or Auxiliary Member because women were only allowed membership in the 1990s). It was in Tanya’s blood to be involved with the Elks. Unlike business or social clubs, Elk Lodges are wholly dedicated to service to community and country. Formally organized in New York City in 1868, there are now more than 1.1 million members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide.
The three pillars of focus for the Elks Lodge are: youth, veterans, and local community. Tanya’s heart for the youth was engaged when she joined the Elks in 2020. When she became Chair of the Youth Activities Committee, she searched out local nonprofits to partner with and found IFCS. When she learned how IFCS is reaching youth needing support through school supply assistance, Tanya headed up a campaign to fund as many Ready, Set, School backpacks as the Littleton Elks Lodge could manage. Last year they sponsored 46 students, providing new backpacks and school supplies!
There are various ways the Elk Lodges raise money for their service initiatives. A large portion of their contributions are raised through Bingo nights held at the Lodge. Fundraising also takes place through the Littleton Candlelight Parade, held after Thanksgiving. Tanya and other volunteers sponsor a bazaar where shoppers can purchase “giving back” items like stocking stuffers, holiday gifts, etc., and the money raised supports the initiatives of the Youth Activities Committee.
Being able to work with the Littleton Elks Lodge means a lot to Tanya. Her personal experience of hardships, related to growing up in a low-income family, motivates her and many of the other volunteer Elks. Thanks to Tanya’s leadership, Elks Lodge #1650 is a great partner with IFCS and a great support to local youth: their passion for service will be sending 33 children off to school this fall, equipped with new school supplies. Tanya has been dedicated to finding more ways to engage both the youth and adults of the Lodge in hands-on volunteer opportunities, in collaboration with IFCS as well as other local organizations. This year, in addition to their financial support of the Ready, Set, School! program, the Littleton Elks will be volunteering at IFCS’ Ready, Set, School! distribution day, when parents and caregivers of the 303 sponsored students will arrive to pick up their children’s backpacks, supplies, healthy snacks, and fresh produce for the whole family.
Thanks to the Elks Lodge #1650 Members and to Tanya, for partnering with IFCS to build a stronger community!
View photos from the most recent Ready, Set, School! Distribution Day, when student families come to IFCS to pick up school supplies and healthy snacks to start the school year off strong.
Kathryn Adams is a Nurse Freelance Writer who started out her career as a Firefighter EMT-B then RN and has transitioned to professional writing. She started volunteering with IFCS in 2018 because she has a passion to help others. When she isn’t writing she enjoys hiking, yoga, skiing, and traveling. She lives with her husband, dog and kitty in the Colorado Mountains.
