Thousands of members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America and guests gathered from July 3-6 for the BPO Elks National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

During the convention, David A. Hammond of Albion was installed as district deputy for the BPO Elks for lodges in the Central District of the Maine Elks Association. He will serve a one-year term, according to a news release from Elks USA.

The BPO Elks is one of the premier patriotic and charitable organizations in the United States of America and is committed to making its communities better places to live. Each year, the Order donates more than $375 million in cash, goods, and services to the needy, students, people with disabilities, active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces and their families, veterans and their families, and charitable organizations.

In the 154 years since the Order’s founding, the BPO Elks has made charitable donations totaling approximately $12 billion.

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