Elks raise thousands for Haven House and Micah’s Mission

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Elks held their annual Bud Lokey BBQ Cookoff fundraiser, raising thousands for two local groups.

The Elks hosted a BBQ Cookoff that attracted several teams and hundreds of visitors to raise money for Haven House and Micah’s Mission in Vicksburg. This year’s Bud Lokey Memorial BBQ Cookoff started Friday night when teams from the region set up their smokers at the Elks on 61 South.

The total dollars raised has yet to be tallied, but each winning team donated their prize money back to the fundraiser. “We don’t come here to win money, we come here to raise money,” said a member of one of the winning teams.

The Elks were founded in 1868 to “promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship.”

The national organization spends more than $80,000,000 annually on benevolent, educational, and patriotic community-minded programs. In addition to the Elks’ national work, the local order holds fundraisers to benefit local organizations, including special needs children, sponsoring scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, and veterans’ work.