The Pahrump Elks Lodge is welcoming a distinguished leader to town this weekend.
Michael F. Zellen, Elks Grand Exalted Ruler, is national president of the Pahrump Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Zellen, visiting from Massachusetts, arrived in town on Thursday.
Zellen will visit the Pahrump Elks Lodge on Friday at 6 p.m., to meet with local Elks members and congratulate lodge members on their many successful charitable and patriotic accomplishments in the community, with a special dinner banquet to follow at their 2220 E. Basin Ave., location.
As the Elks Grand Exalted Ruler, the title for its highest office, Zellen is responsible for promoting the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks’ key goals of community service, assistance for the handicapped, veterans and the less fortunate, as well as the sponsorship of youth programs and scholarships.
“The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a terrific organization,” Zellen said in a news release. “Each day more than one million members find new ways of helping others by providing college scholarships to bright students, helping disabled children and lending comfort to our nation’s great veterans. Elks lodges across the country continue to make positive changes in their communities.”
During his term of office, Zellen attends state Elks association conventions, meets with government officials and community leaders, along with traveling to many Elks lodges.
With more than 850,000 members and 2,000 lodges nationwide, Elks are providing charitable services that help build stronger communities, according to its website.
Each year the Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.65 million in college scholarships to graduating seniors.
Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes.com