CHEA – The California – Hawaii Elks Association is a charitable organization serving children with disabilities since 1950.

With 168 lodges in 19 Districts (including the Islands of Guam and Philippines), the California-Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA) serves disabled children, veterans, and our youth in a wide range of activities. We are a proud organization with roots back to 1868 and thousands of Elks, who have not only helped millions of people, but are a social organization that enjoys the company of other Elks at our lodges where our meals and beverages support our growth and the community.

Santa Monica Elks Lodge is a local lodge that is one of 6 lodges in the South-Central Coast District. The South-Central Coast District is one of the 19 districts in CHEA. Each State Association has a major project that they support. CHEA is best known for its support of children with disabilities. Our Major Project, often referred to as The Purple Pig is the fundraising arm of this charitable work and serves as a reminder to the membership that our greatest joy is in giving to and helping others. Whether you help through the various support methods such as our BLT Legacy Giving Program, regular monthly donations, filling the Purple Pig with the “A Coin A Day so they can Walk, Talk, See and Play” there are many ways to support the children and their families who may have had little hope without the CHEA intervention.

The California-Hawaii Elks have raised over $140.5 MILLION since 1950 to address the unmet needs of children with disabilities by developing a program of supporting services to aid these children at no cost to their families.

Watch this heart-felt video about the Purple Pig program from its inception in 1950–and see how inspiring and powerful the program is working in action. 

CHEA's Purple Pig You Tube Video