Submitted by: Daughter Angela M. Swain and Daughter Ruler, R. E. Nelms Temple; Edited by Greg Miley, SON staff writer
The Daughters of R. E. Nelms Temple #1127, Daughters of Elks (I.B. P. O. E. W.) dedicated a new brick sign in front of New Futures on Venona Avenue in Huntsville, Alabama.
New Futures Family Lodge is a 13-room 501(c)3 (non-profit) homeless shelter located in Huntsville, Alabama that supports homeless families looking to regain stability and reshape their lives.
The Daughters who perform acts of community service throughout greater Huntsville, took this on as a project in June. The group procured the bricks, mortar, and other items. Mr. Joseph Malone (husband of Daughter Rebecca Malone) donated his time and effort to erect the sign from the ground up. Members of the Temple volunteered to help paint and apply weather-proof sealant on the wooden sign, which was cut and manufactured by BWAY Signs.
A program was held on Sunday, November 7, 2021, 3:00 p.m., to formally dedicate the sign.
New Futures Executive Director Tayna Rains Knott
Guest soloist, Reginald Pearson, Band Director, Jemison High School
Elks Daughters participating in the program were Rebecca Malone, Lawanda Reese, Cheryl Ray, and Rena’ Hubbard. Daughter Ruler (President) of the Temple, Angela M. Swain, presided over the program. Tayna Rains Knott,Executive Director of New Futures, gave remarks about the purpose of New Futures home, and what having the sign recreated means to those who work and live in its facility. She expressed her sincerest gratitude for what the organization had done, just with the act of dedicating a sign.
Reginald Pearson, band director for Mae Jemison High School, gave a rendition of “If I Help Somebody.” Final remarks were made by the Daughter Ruler of R. E. Nelms Temple and the Esteemed Leading Knight, Barrington Dames, who both commended the Temple on a very well attended and coordinated program and rendered accolades on the sign.
R. E. Nelms Temple #1127, Daughters of Elks, are an auxiliary to R. E. Nelms Lodge #977 and operate as nonprofit organizations under the auspices and authority of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World. (ibpoew.org).