WOLSEY — For the first time in the 110-year history of the Huron Elks Lodge No. 444, the organization will be run by a female.

On Saturday, Lori Heller, a native of Wessington, will take over as exalted ruler of the 256-member group. She will be officially installed into office during an 8 p.m. ceremony.

The Huron Elks Lodge sponsors several youth groups in the community including the Hoop Shoot Contest held at the local and regional levels. The winners advance to the state competition. In addition, the lodge gives scholarships to six local students each year. The scholarship committee judges applications from the surrounding schools and awards a scholarship to three girls and three boys.

They turn the top applications over to the state level. The National Lodge is second only to the United States government in awarding scholarships. The local lodge also sponsors the Student of the Month Program and donates to the Drug Awareness Program each year.

The lodge is mandated to hold the Flag Day Program each June. It also coordinates and helps sponsor the fireworks during the Fourth of July and a pancake breakfast for all veterans on Veterans Day.

During the last five years, the Elks have raised and have helped to raise more than $75,000 to help various charities and persons who have had medical problems. The use of the facilities is donated to organizations and individuals for benefits.

A 1984 graduate of Wessington High School, Heller attended and graduated from Steward’s School of Hairstyling in Sioux Falls in 1987. After graduation she taught at the Sioux Falls school for one year before moving to Wolsey with her husband, Dale, who works for Western Area Power Administration. She has worked for Dakota Country Rose and Regis and Sheer Dynamics, all in Huron. She opened her own shop in Wolsey 10 years ago.

Heller joined the Huron Elks Lodge eight years ago at the encouragement of Kevin Fritzsche. Later she was asked to be a part of activities by Craig Olivier.

Two years ago she was elected loyal knight and last year held the position of leading knight. She said her involvement with the Elks “is something very close to my heart.”

When she was diagnosed with cancer, Steve Heisel and a friend, Cara Green Osier, sponsored a fundraiser for her at the Elks. That was eight years ago.

“That’s when I realized what the Elks are all about,” she said. “They are there to help people. It is like having a second family.”

As she takes over her duties, Heller wants to see more participation by members in helping with programs. She encouraged people to watch the annual Flag Day program which, she says “is awesome.”

She also is working on several large fundraisers, one in the spring and another in September. She is planning a three-day fundraiser July 11-13 on the State Fairgrounds. The band, “2nd Nation” has been hired for the July 11 dance. There also will be bean bag toss, goofy golf ball and moose hook contests.

On July 12, a bake sale, barbeque competition and car show will be held.

A concessions stand will be set up to sell tickets to the dance. Heller said 10 percent of the profits from the July fundraiser will be donated to help with a veteran’s project.

Of the Elks Lodge, she said: “It is a wonderful organization to belong to. If anyone has any questions about it, come in and talk to me,” she said.

Dinner is served at the Elks every Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to head the group,” she said. “I just hope I don’t let anyone down.”

Heller and her husband have two children, Caitlin, 19, a student at Moorhead State University in Minnesota, and McKayla, 15, a freshman in high school.