A Milestone of Generosity: Thank You, Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge #782!

March 31, 2026| Community, Education

By: Caitlin Doran

On Sunday, March 29, I joined our grants and program director, Donna Macalle-Holly, and our board chair, Marty Kane, at the annual Officers Installation event at the Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge #782. We were honored to receive another $10,000 grant this year to support our education initiatives. Since our partnership began five years ago, the Lake Hopatcong Elks have now contributed $50,000 to the Foundation, which is a testament to their unwavering commitment to our local students and the health of our lake.

Before calling us up to receive the grant, Grand Lodge Membership and Marketing Director Rick Gathen recounted how our spring field trip program touched him personally. He recalled how, for so many of the students he met, despite their close proximity to Lake Hopatcong, our field trip marked their very first visit to Hopatcong State Park. For many others, it was their first time ever on a boat or on our lake. For Rick, seeing students who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to come to the lake or experience such a hands-on program is what makes this such a great partnership. “We’re teaching the next generation about the significance of our lake and the importance of a healthy environment and clean water,” he said. He couldn't be more right! 

It All Started at the Block Party

The Lake Hopatcong Block Party is a much-anticipated event for many reasons (who doesn’t love a day of supporting local businesses and organizations while enjoying family-friendly activities?). Chief among these reasons is the Block Party’s ability to bring our community together. Back in 2021, Rick and Linda Gathen (Linda is treasurer for the Elks) stopped by the Lake Hopatcong Foundation booth at the Block Party, and in speaking with Donna, they learned about the Foundation’s work with schools and children and declared, “This is exactly the type of program the Elks want to support!”

From there, not only did they arrange for our first-ever Impact Grant from the Elks National Foundation, but they also recruited their fellow Elks to volunteer with us - providing much-needed help for our field trips, which include a nature hike, a lesson with a watershed model, identifying macroinvertebrates in the Musconetcong River, and a hands-on eco-cruise aboard the Floating Classroom. This program is powered by an incredible team of volunteers (please consider joining us!), we are deeply thankful for the Elks’ enthusiastic participation. 

Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge #782 Gives Back

The Elks are known throughout the community for their efforts to give back to local charities, veterans' causes, and children with special needs. Among their many events and initiatives, perhaps the best known is their Leap in the Lake event, which just reached a milestone of $1M raised (since the first leap) in support of area special needs children and programs. For the past three years, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation has proudly fielded a team of leapers, alongside hundreds of others who take the plunge in support of efforts to improve the lives of others.

We want to thank the Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge #782 again for their generous support of our education programs, for their volunteer spirit, and for making us feel so welcome on Sunday. Here’s to many more years of partnership between our organizations!