Being thrust into the spotlight is nothing new for the Tri-City Elks Lodge 14, located at 1915 West Shore Rd. The lodge has hosted a number of events to benefit veterans in need or children who otherwise may not have had a merry Christmas.

Last Saturday, though, the Elks formed a unique partnership with the Warwick Public Library that as officials from both groups said could not have come at a better time because the cold weather is settling in.

“Warm Welcome to the Library”, was held inside the meeting room of the library’s main branch off Sandy Lane and included a host of activities and special guests like “Elmo the Elk”, Maurice Reid Eighme of Circus Dynamics who made about every imaginable animal and other objects out of inflated balloons as well as providing snacks and grand giveaways.

In the midst of the room were Tri-City Treasurer Marianne Beirne and Pam Miech, Coordinator of Youth Services at the library.

Add 20 members of Lodge 14 and a $2,000 grant from the Elks National Foundation – which Tri-City matched dollar-for-dollar – that resulted in the purchase of 200 new coats that will continue to be distributed this weekend at the library.

“By way of the (ENF) grant and the lodge’s matching funds we are able to provide warm winter coasts in our community along with a welcome to the library and all of its services,” Beirne said. “This is the third time we’ve received a grant and have helped the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen as well as filling the Food Pantry Shelves of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry in Hoxsie.”

Thus, as Beirne explained: “We welcomed over 100 families for four hours. Our Elks members and community volunteers worked all day to set up and distribute coats as well as interact with neighbors in our commodity; we’ll be back (at the library) this this weekend to complete the Warm Welcome Program.”

The library had an informational table with giveaways and set up an activity table for children along with snacks for everyone.

Moreover, the Rhode Island Public Broadcast System Education Services had an information table and videos for the Roger Williams Park Zoo and handouts for their different programs.

The Elks had an important information table for its nationally recognized and highly acclaimed Drug Awareness Program with handouts for kids of all ages replete with a special appearance from its mascot Elmo the Elk, a.k.a. Leading Knight Kick Swanson who is also a 28-year veteran of the Rhode Island State Police.

The Friends of Warwick Public Library sponsored the balloon twister. Hand-knitted scarves and hats were provided by the knitting groups at Conimicut and other branch libraries.