Long Branch Elks lodge gets a chair lift

Long Branch Elks lodge gets a chair lift
Donation makes lodge wheelchair accessible
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

Robert Bates and his son Robbie attend a ceremony on March 20 marking the opening of a chair lift to make the lodge accessible to people with disabilities.
LONG BRANCH — Members of the Long Branch Elks Lodge No. 742 recently installed a wheelchair lift at the lodge to make events accessible to people with disabilities.

The lift was acquired through the efforts of Elks member Joseph Siegfried, a 17-year member. Siegfried, a job site superintendent, was working at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., when the university decided to install a new chair lift.

According to Siegfried, when the university decided to upgrade its facilities, he asked about the chair lift and the university donated it to the Elks.

"The lift is valued at $35,000," Siegfried said. "The university donated it to the Elks when I told them about [the need]."

The lift was brought to the Long Branch lodge, located at 150 Garfield Ave., and it cost the Elks about $20,000 to have it installed at the lodge.

Changes had to be made before the lift could be properly installed.

"The lift was refurbished and adjusted for the height of the area," Siegfried explained, adding that putting in the lift was a necessary step in ensuring that the lodge could serve as many people as possible.

"I think this allows us to have even more people enjoy our events," Siegfried said.

While the lodge was not previously accessible to people with handicaps, there were plans in place to put in a handicap ramp going into the lodge. Then Siegfried seized the opportunity to acquire a lift that became available.

"The lodge was not accessible at the time," Siegfried said. "They had planned to put in the ramp this year, but I took the bull by the horns and got the lift from the university."

There were some hurdles to clear before Siegfried and the Elks could put in the lift.

"It took six or seven months to get the proper permits to put in the lift," Siegfried said.

The lift, which became operational in March, has already accommodated guests at Elks events.

"We have had spaghetti dinners and fish dinners on Friday nights that are open to the public," Siegfried said. "We have affairs in the ballroom."

While Siegfried spearheaded efforts to get the lift installed at the lodge, he insists some of the praise belongs to his fellow Elks.

"This could not be done without all the help from the members of the Elks," Siegfried said. "We are only as good as the people who help us."

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.


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