BARRON COUNTY — Rice Lake Elks Lodge #1441 donated $2,000 to the Sexual Assault Response Team (S.A.R.T.) and $2,000 to Feed OuR Kids (F.O.R.K.) to support local outreach efforts.
S.A.R.T.
The Lodge donated $2,000 to SART-Sexual Assault Response Team. The non-profit organization serves the following counties in Western Wisconsin:
- Barron
- Pierce
- Polk
- Rusk
- St. Croix
(Left to Right) Kim Randall, Sunni Bliese, Rita Gronski, Marla Gygli
The local office in Rice Lake is Randall Therapeutics located at 33 Ann Street, Rice Lake.
The mission of S.A.R.T is to improve community health and safety by providing comprehensive services and resources that respond to and prevent interpersonal violence.
S.A.R.T. held the annual event at Rice Lake Elks #1441 on October 25th for a Halloween themed gala to raise awareness of interpersonal violence in the area. The donation was presented by the local Elks Officers-Sunni Bliese (Treas), Rita Gronski (Exalted Ruler) and Marla Gygli (PER and current Secretary) to Kimberly Randall from S.A.R.T.
F.O.R.K
The Empty Bowls event was held on October 30th at Rice Lake High School. The event in part supports the weekly food bag distribution of over 300+ students across the district.
Those attending “fill” a bowl of soup from a variety of choices donated by over 30 local restaurants served with bread, beverage and ice cream for a minimal charge. Silent Auction items were available including hand crafted ceramic bowls from local students and area artists.
Organizers indicate that much of the local hunger and poverty prevention effort is supported by Empty Bowls and is successful by community support of the program.
Presentation by the Elks was made by Jeff Miller (PER and current State Elks President, Grandson-Parker Rhode, Sunni Bliese (Treas), Scott Bliese (Trustee), Anne Gallagher (PER/ Leading Knight) to F.O.R.K team members-Joe Huftel, Tina Henningsen, and Miriam Vavara.
(Left to Right) Back Row- Joe Huftel, Tina Henningsen, Jeff Miller, Scott Bliese, Anne Gallagher, Miriam Vavara; Front Row- Preston Rhode, Sunni Bliese
The donations were made possible by receiving a grant from the Elks organization. The Local Lodge qualified for the grant by members contributions. The grant application is completed by Rice Lake Elks #1441 Grant Coordinator-Marla Gygli. Followed by review of criteria and accountability of potential recipients.
The Elks National Foundation awards grants to local Elks Lodges to help the Elks strengthen their communities. This year, the Elks National Foundation will award $6.5 million in grants to benefit Elks communities.
To get involved with this or other Elks Lodge projects, email Project Manager Marla Gygli at gygli@yahoo.com.
For more information about how the Elks National Foundation invests in local communities, visit the Elks National Foundation website.
Last Update: Nov 05, 2025 10:39 am CST
