B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge Membership Pin

Here we have an awesome, vintage B.P.O.E Membership Pin! The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE; also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks) is an American fraternal order founded in 1868, originally as a social club in New York City. It was originally founded in 1868 as a social club for minstrel show performers, called the "Jolly Corks". It was established as a private club to elude New York City laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. The Elks borrowed rites and practices from Freemasonry.

Nowadays, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodges are encouraged to participate in national Elks charity programs. There are also State Elks Associations charity programs. Elks Lodges are usually involved in other local charitable efforts, as well as many Veterans Aid Funds, Youth Programs, and other National/State Aid programs.

Due to the willingness of most Elks Lodges to respond to community needs and events, it is common to turn the BPOE abbreviation into a backronym for "Best People on Earth".

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