The Niles Elks Lodge kicked off a celebration of its 100-year anniversary Wednesday evening with a dinner at the lodge that included several current and former high-ranking Elks officers.

John Amen, the Grand Exalted Ruler (national president) of the Elks, traveled from Colorado to present the Niles lodge a certificate of accomplishment for becoming a centennial lodge.

The celebration was also attended by Grand Exalted Ruler Elect Rick Mulholland and former Grand Exalted Ruler Jim Varenhorst.

“I’m extremely proud of the fact that our lodge made it 100 years and I’m proud of our membership for getting it here,” said Steve Baker, the Niles Lodge’s Exalted Ruler. “Without the membership we definitely wouldn’t have made it 100 years. If you get involved, it is very fulfilling.”

Membership has fluctuated greatly over the years since the lodge began with eight members 100 years ago. Baker said there were more than 1,000 members in the 1940s. The lodge currently has around 350 members.

“We are always looking for new members,” said Baker, who has been with the lodge for 23 years.

The Niles Elks Lodge supports community youth leagues, special needs adults and children, and veterans through a variety of programs.

Baker estimates that the lodge has donated between $25,000 and $35,000 to the local community over the past 10 to 15 years.

“Giving back is really what it is all about,” Baker said.

The celebration will continue at an event open to the public from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday at the lodge, located at 1322 Canal St., Niles.

The event will feature a cornhole tournament at 1 p.m., football games on the television, a hula-hoop contest, a reverse raffle, music, dancing and food. The grand prize for the reverse raffle is $1,000, while second place is $300 and third $200. The drawing starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and buyers don’t have to be present to win.

Those who wear an Elks shirt or hat will gain entry to a mystery raffle.