PARKERSBURG -Wood County commissioners agreed to donate $500 to Parkersburg Elks Lodge 198 for two sporting events the fraternal group sponsors annually.
The funds will be taken from the county video lottery proceeds. Wood County Commissioner Wayne Dunn abstained from voting on the measure since he has a financial interest in the E.L.I.T.E. Sports Center where events will take place.
During a meeting Thursday with the commission, Steve Poling and Jay Perkins with the Elks Lodge said one of the missions of their group is to help youth of the community.
Article Photos
Photo by Pamela Brust
Steve Poling, left, and Jay Perkins with Parkersburg Elks Lodge 198, asked Wood County commissioners for funding help with sporting events sponsored by the fraternal organization.
"We need a match for our state grants for our Hoop Shoot and soccer events. The annual hoop shoot competition for children ages 8-13 will be Jan. 5 at the E.L.I.T.E. Center in Parkersburg. Through a major effort and diligent pursuit we have secured the state soccer shoot to be here in Wood County on Nov. 17," Perkins said. The E.L.I.T.E. center will be host for the event.
The state grants are for $300 for each event. Those grants come from the state through the national Elks organization, Perkins said.
"We use the funds to provide refreshments, trophies and prizes," Perkins said. "We need funding to offer our local winners with transportation to Weirton, W.Va., where the regional competition will be held." Perkins said the group would like to attract the annual state hoop shoot competition to Wood County as well in the future.
"This not only supports the Elks but also the local community as a whole by attracting the statewide competition," Perkins said.
Letters have been sent to all the Wood County school principals with students who are of qualifying ages, Poling told commissioners.
"There are three divisions; our local contest will be Jan. 5," Poling said.
"We'd like to purchase shirts for them. We need trophies. The center is donating the space and we are trying to get some savings bonds for the kids," Poling said.
The Elks officials said the date for the soccer shoot has not been set.
"We want to help you in any way we can. The Elks work very hard and we applaud your efforts in the community," commission President Blair Couch said.
