The Mayor honored the Preston Elks Lodge #1670 with the “Soda Springs Super Heroes” award for their annual Christmas basket program.

The Preston Elks Christmas basket program began in the early 1950’s and has grown from 20 baskets delivered the first year to 800 baskets delivered in 2013. The Elks have turned the program into a community effort with many organizations volunteering to help and an opportunity for young people to be involved in providing service to others. The Christmas basket program provides canned food, cheese, ham or turkey, potatoes, bread, flour, eggs, sugar and personal items to families in need of support. The baskets are delivered to communities from Richmond, Utah on the South, Weston, Dayton and Clifton on the West and Soda Springs, Bancroft, Grace and Niter on the North and all points in between. The baskets are made possible by the generous donations of members, friends, businesses and church organizations and the Preston Elks Lodge provides the funding to purchase the hams and turkeys. Past Preston Elks leader, Ralph West and wife Susan, along with member Jenny Hollingsworth and incoming leader, Phillip Christensen’s wife Krysta are credited with the last few years success of the Christmas Basket program. Soda Springs community members who have provided invaluable support include Bob Johnson, Wade Harris and Wade Clark along with numerous volunteers who deliver the baskets.

The Preston Elks Lodge #1670 was formed in 1946 and has been in existence for 68 continuous years. They have had 1,597 members over the years and currently have 208 members. The Elks are involved in charitable and benevolent projects along with hosting youth events and providing scholarships. The Preston Lodge provides dictionaries to all third grade students in the area including Soda Springs. The Elks also honor Veterans with contributions, visits to the Veteran’s Hospitals and an annual appreciation dinner. The Idaho Elks maintains the Idaho State Elks Rehabilitation Hospital in Boise where rehabilitation treatment is available to anyone who needs it.