In August 1946, the crippling and killing disease polio stalked the children of Texas. Texas Elks responded by opening the Texas Elks Crippled Children Hospital on a nine-acre site at tiny Ottine in Central Texas. It was the beginning of what has now been 64 years of Texas Elks service and charity to the children of Texas. By the mid-1950s the world was blessed with the Salk polio vaccine and the mission of the Elks hospital evolved from treatment to long-term care for polio survivors.

In 1977 the mission--and name--changed again with creation of the Texas Elks Childrens' Services diagnostic center, one of the only facilities in Texas specializing in multi-disability diagnosis. In 1987 a summer camp for children with disabilities was added to the program. Texas Elks today respond as they have for 64 years--with generosity, commitment and compassion in support of the Texas Elks major state project at Ottine, the heart and jewel of Texas Elkdom.

In June of 1999, the membership of TESA moved to institute a new program to replace the diagnostic program which helped so many children with learning disabilities. The new program will provide children with prosthetic devises otherwise not covered by insurance. Again, without regard to the ability to pay, Texas Elks will be providing a service to our Texas children which will be unique. The new program will also include an expansion to our Elks Camp.

Some eleven years ago, Texas Elks decided it was time to change the focus of our state major project. Every Elk was offered the opportunity to make suggestions as to the direction the new project should take.  After receiving many excellent project ideas, a select committee was established to review the suggestions and select several proposals for Texas Elks to review and make a final selection. 

Out of this lengthy process came the new state major project: The Prosthetic Grant Program. This project recognized in Texas a need to help special needs children realize their fullest potential.  Texas Elks realized that special needs children and their families face unique challenges. So many children could lead a more full and complete life if only there was some way to meet the specific needs of these children. So many children are unable to gain access to either the equipment or technology they need to allow them to be the productive children they want to be. 

Texas Elks decided to make these very special children our children. Texas Elks decided to “adopt” as many of these children as we can to provide them-and their families- a hand-up.  Out of this desire came the final grant program for children. 

The Texas Elks Children’s Services Board of Directors finalized grant guidelines which defined the term “prosthetic” in the broadest of possible terms. For purposes of the grant, prosthetic is defined as “any piece of equipment and/or technology which will allow a child to live a more full and complete life.” Other minimal requirements were established such as a child must be eighteen years of age or younger, a resident of Texas and able to prove the requested device is not covered by insurance or available through a another grant and whose financial needs justify assistance.

Since the project was finalized in June of 2000, at the state convention, the results have been indeed gratifying for Texas Elks. Children from across Texas have been helped with hearing aids, wheelchairs, and computers with Braille capabilities, special braces, and a host of other devices that will make special needs children stronger and more confident as they face their unique challenges.

Texas Elks take great pride in this project. We are proud because we see children in our communities benefit and because this project has inspired us all to become more involved with our children. This project requires action at the Lodge level. We must work with schools and social agencies to identify children with special needs and this has more closely tied us to our community. This project has also afforded our community the opportunity to learn about Elkdom and our principles and the many diverse projects we support. This is truly a win-win-win for Elks and children and the local community.

Again, in 2003, the TECSI Board changed the name of the program to "Texas Elks Grants for Special Children.

TECSI Board of Directors

Webmaster
Copyright © 2009 Texas Elks State Association, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: Sunday, February 21, 2010 08:01:26 AM