The Jefferson park and recreation department recently received $1,620 from the Jefferson Elks lodge to fund half-price pool memberships for families who meet income guidelines.
Families whose children qualify for free or reduced meals at school can apply for the reduced rate on pool memberships. This summer, 24 families with a total of 89 children, and four children who have individual passes, have applied, according to JPRD director Vicky Lautner.
The fund that covers the memberships was first established more than 10 years ago by the family of the late Ed Holden. Holden wanted all children who wanted to swim to be able to use the municipal pool. The fund has been depleted, so the city has covered the cost of the memberships.
The Elks designated a $1,500 Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant program to the project. The national funds are available to lodges that meet per capita goals of financial support for the foundation. The remaining $120 came from local Elks funds.
“We are grateful to the Elks lodge for funding these half-price memberships this year,” Lautner said. “In the time of shrinking budgets, this has helped the pool budget.”
