The Washington Township Moose Lodge #2138 will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Saturday, October 8 starting at Noon. They are a fraternal organization that organizes various events for kids in need that impact the local community and host a variety of social events.

Governor Stan Bright and Treasurer Eric Renner recently mentioned their history and current events.

"The original charter for the Washington Township Moose Lodge was issued on October 30, 1966. Our first location was at 1577 E. 77th Street near White River. We moved to this current location from 8400 Union Chapel Road in 1979," Renner explained. Editor's note: The 1968 and 1970 Indianapolis phone books list the Lodge at 6265 Carrollton Avenue. In the 1970s the Lodge was at 811 Westfield Boulevard, where Bazbeaux Pizza is now.

"We did a complete renovation before moving here and revitalized the place, paving the parking lot and lodge, repairing the AV (audio-visual), HVAC (heating ventilation air conditioning), roof and installing a satellite TV system," said Bright. He currently serving his second two-year term as Washington Township Moose Lodge #2138 Governor, having received a dispensation from the General Moose Lodge Governor since he ran unopposed in 2014. His father, Dave, was also a member of the Moose Lodge here. Bright retired from Allison Transmission, where he also worked with Delco Electronics and Allison's Gas Turbine Division. Renner is the National Sales Manager for Sports Select USA that installs wireless entertainment systems for sports bars and restaurants. They met through mutual friends at a local establishment years ago before becoming members at Moose lodge #2138.

"We host events here weekly. Every Monday is Euchre night. On Wednesdays, we have trivia contests and a Queen of Hearts Drawing. On Sundays during the National Football League season, Indianapolis Colts games can be seen on any of five wide screen TVs. There is also a pool table and overhead movie projection screen. We plan to start playing poker since acquiring a charity and gaming license," Renner said.

"There will a band, barbecue, hog roast, hamburgers and hot dogs. We hosted a kick-off event on Saturday, July 23 with local singer Brenda Williams," Bright mentioned. Further information will be available in their newsletter, http://lodge2138.moosepages.org

"There are nearly 1,500 Moose Lodges across the United States and in Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda. We have charters in Central Indiana, including Beech Grove, Greenfield, Greenwood, Indianapolis, Richmond, Shelbyville and Speedway. We also host events for 'Outside the Box' (www.outsidethebox.org) which provides services for special needs individuals from their upper teens to adults. We recently purchased 400 tickets to Indianapolis Indiana games from one of the ladies who works for the Special Olympics. We later sold them and donated $420 to the Special Olympics for Autism Speaks," Renner added.

"The Washington Township Lodge is open seven days a week. We have a great bunch of dedicated members that meet for fun and good laughs, all the while remembering we're supporting a greater mission of kids in need and our senior members. A prayer ceremony occurs every night at 9 p.m. where everybody stands up, bows their head and repeats prayers. People remember what we're here for - it's a bit of a reminder to everyone what our cause is," Bright noted.

Prospective members can be sponsored by a friend. They can fill out an application that is reviewed and voted on by our Board with a background check being done. We have special times when the general public is invited.

The Moose Lodge mission in helping others includes three long-time non-profit enterprises.

Mooseheart (www.mooseheart.org) is a residential childcare facility, located on a 1,000-acre campus west of Chicago. The Child City is a home for children and teens in need, from infancy through high school. Dedicated in July of 1913 by the Moose fraternal organization, Mooseheart cares for youth whose families are unable to care for them in a home-like environment and provide training and education.

Moosehaven (www.moosehaven.org) is a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville, Florida on the St. John's River that provides care and independent living for senior members. It has been home to the Loyal Order of Moose and Women of the Moose since 1922.

Moose Charities (www.moosecharities.org) is a registered non-profit in Mooseheart, Illinois that provides resources for the continued operation and support of the Mooseheart Child City & School and the Moosehaven retirement community.

As the Washington Township Moose Lodge #2138 prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, their mission continues by helping those in need and providing fellowship among long-time and new friends in the community.