The 100th anniversary of Albert Lea Elks Lodge 813 will be honored by the organization’s state body during the state convention held in Albert Lea this week.

With 2,030 members, the Albert Lea Elks boasts the largest membership in the state &045; twice as large as the second-largest one, in Owatonna. Nationally, it ranks 16th among 2,200 lodges.

&uot;At a time when other service organizations are suffering declining membership, the Albert Lea Elks seem to have found our niche,&uot; said Publicity Chairman Jim Hanson.

The membership has been increasing for the past 27 years. Continuous efforts to attract new members and dedicate the club to the community underlies the expansion, Hanson said.

The membership efforts will be awarded with special recognition at the convention.

The Elks was born in 1868 as a fraternity organization of theater actors in New York City. Today, it has grown into one of the major service organizations, which benefits and supports not only the members but also the community.

A 14,000 square-foot Albert Lea lodge on South East Broadway offers a comfortable environment for the members to dine out. The space is available for other non-profit organizations to have meetings free of charge.

The organization donates more than $60,000 to various youth and community activities annually.

&uot;This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our good, steady growth,&uot; former Exalted Ruler Dale Sorenson said in a corridor surrounded by the portraits of exalted rulers in the past.

The state convention starts on Thursday, with a 150-foot-high water arch launched by a pumper truck from the Albert Lea Fire Department creating an artificial rainbow. More than 250 Elks members and their families will attend the four-day convention.