If you’ve kept up with the local news over the past year, you know the Doylestown Moose Lodge has grabbed their share of the headlines. Unfortunately, it hasn’t always been for the best of the reasons. But after reorganizing a few months ago, the lodge is back doing what it does best: serving both its members and the community at large.
Located at 127 East State St., members represent all walks of life and range from businessmen to carpenters, entertainers, chefs and educators. “There’s a potpourri of people,” says Evan Walton, governor of the lodge. “It’s a good cross-representation of Doylestown.”
The Doylestown chapter is but one lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose, a fraternal and service organization with nearly 1 million members in approximately 2,000 lodges around the world. Moose lodges are located in all 50 states, as well as in Canada, Great Brittan and Bermuda.
The philanthropic organization, which was founded in 1888 and established in Doylestown in 1913, focuses on supporting a wide range of community initiatives. All lodges of the Loyal Order of Moose support two primary causes: Moosehaven, a waterfront senior retirement facility in Florida and Mooseheart, a 1,000-acre community and school in Illinois that serves children in need. Over the course of its nearly 100-year history, Mooseheart has been home to roughly 11,000 children. Currently, 250 receive both housing and education via the organization’s efforts.
Each lodge contributes money to these two causes while focusing on self-chosen priorities in their area. “On a local level, we’ll pick things close to home,” says Walton. Recent philanthropic undertakings by the Moose include a fundraiser for the children of Darren Lingo, a deceased Doylestown Borough police officer, awarding scholarships for high school students and support for the Special Olympics. In March, they’re holding a fundraiser for the Travis Manion Foundation, an organization that assists wounded veterans and their families.
“Anything that has to do with children is always a high priority for us,” Walton adds. “Our goal is to be a community-driven, charitable social organization.”
The lodge also frequently donates the use of their space for everything from Red Cross blood drives to fundraisers for local children’s sports leagues. “The Moose is trying to emphasize community,” says Ed Cini, the lodge’s administrator. “The fraternity was originally founded to provide help to members and their families.”
In addition to its goal of supporting the community and taking on philanthropic causes, the Moose also provides its members with a social outlet. The local facility consists of a bar and restaurant, where members can enjoy a full menu. It also features social quarters for entertainment and a newly renovated banquet facility that accommodates 147 people. Members can utilize the upstairs hall for parties and fundraisers.
“One of the benefits of being a member is you have access to the hall,” Walton explains, adding that while non-members can attend functions at the lodge, events must be sponsored by a Moose member.
Each night of the week, members can enjoy a variety of entertainment and dining specials. For example, there’s Mexican food night, darts and pool leagues and their famous “buck a burger” special. Live bands, DJs and comedians are often booked for entertainment. Food and drinks are available seven days a week, Walton says, adding the menu features everything from surf and turf to hot wings.
An existing Moose member must sponsor prospective members of the lodge. The application process, which includes a criminal background check and approval by the membership committee, takes about three weeks, says Cini.
Go Online at www.mooseintl.org