The local Marion Elks Lodge No. 32 donated $1,057 to the Harding Home State Memorial Education Outreach Program, part of their educational offerings for area students. Developed by Sherry Hall, education specialist, the outreach services are all about educating today’s kids about President Harding and what Marion was like when he lived here.

One of the eight outreach programs funded in part by the Marion Elks donation is called “Kids Rule.” It is an hour-long program presented in Marion area third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms, teaching today’s Marion kids what Marion kids did back in the 1890’s.

“The program includes a lot of hands-on activities, like looking at 3-D pictures through a stereopticon, which is the 1890’s version of the view-master. From looking at school books from the period to see what words kids were learning, to play tidily winks, we want to give kids the opportunity to learn through experience,” said Hall. “Mostly our program is presented to third grade classes, because this ties in with their community history curriculum.”

Ray Haines, Marion Elks Lodge exalted ruler, recently visited Chris Shaffer’s third grade class at Garfield Elementary School to see the “Kid’s Rule” program.

“Providing educational opportunities to children is a big part of what the Elks are all about,” said Haines. “This program is a great extension of our youth programs - like the Hoop Shoot and our upcoming Soccer Shoot. I can’t think of a better use for our instant bingo charity monies than local youth programs like this.”