Major Projects Committee
Thank You for visiting the “Major Project’s” page for the Connecticut Elks Association! This page contains information regarding our Safe Kids Program administered through the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and the Special Olympics.
Committee Members
- Matthew Frankel PDD – State Chair
- Seth Miller PDD – Central District
- Alicia Dunbar PER – Coastal District
- Elizabeth McKee PER – East District
- Debra Scarlett PER – Northwest District
The Special Olympics is one of the Connecticut Elks Associations two Major Projects. Each November, the CT State Elks Association sponsors the Unified Sports Holiday Classic for Special Olympics. Watch the video above for some great photos from this event.


Click here to download the Safe Kids Materials Request Form
Supplies are available to support a Safe Kids event at your lodge. Download the form above and submit it to your District Chair. For more information, contact your District Chair.
Safe Kids Day 2022
Safe Kids 2022 was held on Thursday, June 2 at the
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, 282 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106
No restriction on Elks volunteers this year. Please attend! Contact State Chair Matt Frankel PDD for more information.
donated to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center
donated each year since 2003
donated since 2003
Fundraising Activities for Major Projects
Each year, several fundraising events are held by the CT Elks Association Charities Inc. to raise money for Major Projects.
Hartford Yard Goats
Saturday, September 10th, 6:05 pm. Join your fellow Elks from the state of Connecticut for a road trip to Hartford to watch the Yard Goats minor league baseball team battle the Somerset Patriots. Reserved seating with your fellow Elks, an official group welcome, and post game fire works display. All proceeds support CT Elks Major Projects.
Bridgeport Islanders
Join the CT Elks Association in a fundraiser for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The game will be held March 4th, 2023 at 7 pm. Just $27 per person, includes $5 donation.
2023 Bowling Tournament
Our bowling tournament will be held on February 26th. For more details, visit our bowling page.
A Chronology of Connecticut Elks Support
First donation of $4,200 to construct a play pavilion between two Cerebral Palsy Units in 1954. (L-R) Newington Home & Hospital Director Berger E. Foss, SP Samuel Annunziato, Ritualistic Chairman Arthur J. Roy, GER Earl E. James,
1953 – | $4,200 was donated to construct a play pavilion between two Cerebral Palsy Units. |
1955-1956 | $12,600 was given to enclose a large portion of the above to make it usable year around. |
1956 – | $2,200 to purchase a truck used to transport wheelchairs and other equipment for patients on outings away from the hospital |
1957 – | A generous donation was given to purchase a large bus to replace a smaller one given by the Elks group that organized fund-raising activities for the newly adopted major project. In 1958, additional Association at least 10 years prior to the formation of the Crippled Children’s Committee – the money was given for special equipment inside the bus.* |
1958 – | A generous donation was appropriated to purchase a special designed blood bank refrigerator and an operating table, to create a third operating room.* |
1959 – | $10,000 was donated to relocate the recovery room and to pipe oxygen to each patient location in that room. Money was also given to purchase wardrobes for patients. |
1960 – | $14,000 made possible the purchase of equipment such as a chest respirator, tilt chair and tables, a walk-in refrigerator, and a safety door for the operating room. |
1961 – | The complete modernization of the main lobby was made possible with a gift of $10,000. |
1962 – | More than $15,000 was donated to purchase items for the hospital and its summer camp, and to provide synchronized sound equipment to facilitate the making of medical movies. |
1963-1964 | Over two years, more than $35,000 was donated to enable the hospital to meet the demands of treating increasing numbers of patients. These items included automatic x-ray processing equipment and special surgical and optical instruments. |
1964 – | It was voted that $50,000, payable over two years, would be donated to provide a new central sterile supply room, including up-to-date equipment for sterilizing instruments, solutions, dressings, and other items. |
1966 – | $300,000 was pledged to construct a large waiting area. The money was to be paid over ten years but was completed in six. |
1970 – | $12,000 was given to equip the hospital’s pediatric eye care clinic. |
1973 – | The renovation of the Dental department was made possible with a gift of $93,000. |
1974 – | $320,000 purchased pulmonary function equipment and a new bus, and aided with the renovation of the “Elks Wing,” in the hospital’s East Building, including facilities for the relocation of the departments of Neurology and Therapeutic Recreation. |
1977 – | $200,000 was appropriated for the expansion of the Children’s Hospital Inpatient Psychiatric Services (CHIPS). |
1979 – | $250,000 was pledged for the relocation of Therapeutic Recreation, Photography, and medical equipment storage. |
1984 – | $100,000 was pledged for the purchase of equipment for the department of Anesthesiology. |
1985 – | $85,000 completed a Radiographic room. |
1986-1989 | A pledge of $400,000 made possible the completion of the hospital’s Day Surgery Unit. |
1989-1990 | $100,000 was donated to purchase a computer for the Gait Analysis Laboratory. |
1991 – | $100,000 purchased a handicapped-accessible bus for taking patients and disabled athletes to community activities and sporting events. In addition, the Elks donation purchased a Modulus Plus Anesthesia Machine, which is the foundation piece of equipment for the Anesthesiology Department. |
1992 – | $100,000 purchased fluoroscopy equipment for the Radiology Department. |
1993 – | $70,000 purchased a Wild Surgical Microscope for eye operations in the Operating Room. |
1994 – | A donation of $60,000 provided an AMX-4 Mobile Radiography System for the Radiology Department. |
1995 – | $70,000 was raised to supply an Acuson Ultrasound System for the Radiology Department. |
1996 – | A Heart-Lung Machine was purchased for $70,000 for the Operating Room. |
1997 – 98 | Unknown projects totaling $170,000 |
1999 – 2002 | $75,000 annually to Safe Kids |
2003 | $250,000 for the Emergency Department Waiting Room |
2003-2021 | $100,000 donated annually to Safe Kids, totaling $1,300,000. |
*Based on remarks written by Dr. Banta in 1996, the gifts in 1957 and 1958 were for a combined $47,800. |