When it comes to caring and sharing, the Tri-City Elks have few,  rivals.

That trait surfaced again last Tuesday evening at Lodge 14’s ground level all purpose room that resembled a gigantic food warehouse as well as Santa’s North Pole Workshop.

“This is a heart warming scene,” offered Beth Marsh, who serves as Tri-City Chaplin as well as co-chairing Lodge 14’s December rite known as Filling the Food Baskets for families.

It was a record-setting night when nearly two dozen Lodge members filled a total of 53 oversized plastic laundry baskets with a variety of non-perishable foods and perhaps even more impressive was putting what Marsh and others called “toys unlimited” into extra-large plastic bags that accompanied each of the food baskets that Tri-City delivers in the strictest confidence.

It was the 11th Annual Fill the Food and Toy baskets event for Tri-City.

 When asked how Tri-City gets so much food and a colossal collection of toys every year, Lori Eaton – a Past Exalted Ruler who performs a myriad of duties for Lodge 14 – said: “We receive a grant from the Elks National Foundation to go shopping and the major percentage comes from our valuable members.”

On December 9, Tri-City held its annual Toy Drive Dinner with the admission price of one, unwrapped new toy.

However, Eaton said “in most cases our members bring more than one and even two toys as well as games, dolls and everything a child would want for Christmas.”

 “It’s always a fun night,” Marsh related of filling the baskets and placing the goys in bags. “This is a very special time. The best part of giving is waking up Christmas morning knowing you made a difference to 53 families. That’s how we all felt tonight.”

     Marsh then paused while thanking her fellow Elks for volunteering while adding: “The Tri-City Elks are a loving caring family … Elks Care, Elks Share.”