Elks of the Month — Carol and Earl
Submitted by Clint Tompkins, Exalted Ruler
When asking around the Lodge who should be recognized as Elk of the Month, one answer kept coming up again and again from multiple groups of members — Carol and Earl. Their names were mentioned repeatedly because of their constant volunteer work, positive attitudes, and the genuine kindness they bring to Phoenix Elks Lodge #335. Every time you look around the Lodge, you will see Carol and Earl helping with something — assisting at an event, supporting our veterans, helping with bingo, or simply stepping in wherever help is needed.
Carol originally comes from Birmingham, Michigan, while Earl is from Mosinee, Wisconsin. Earl first came to Arizona in the early 1970s to visit his brother during spring breaks before eventually attending ASU, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Accounting in 1979. Carol arrived in Phoenix in 1977 after visiting her best friend and deciding to make Arizona her home — proving her mother’s advice to “not rush to get married, go out and have an adventure” was exactly right.
Carol joined the Elks three years ago and quickly became deeply involved in Lodge activities and volunteering, with Earl proudly becoming her “significant tag along and best friend.” After retiring and recovering from several surgeries, Carol said she “needed a reason to get up and stay active” and wanted to meet “like-minded people where we could play and have fun.” The Elks became exactly that place. Their first Lodge event together was orientation with Al Kayal, and since then they have become familiar faces throughout the Lodge.
Together, Carol and Earl volunteer weekly at Public Bingo on Tuesdays and assist with the Veterans Committee’s Queen of Hearts events. They are active members of the Veterans Committee, Picnic Committee, Bingo Committee, and the Children’s Christmas Shopping Spree Committee. They especially enjoy events like the Cowboy Cookout, the Kentucky Derby celebration, and sometimes Wednesday Grill Your Own Steak nights followed by Nicole Beach’s trivia, which Carol describes as “a blast.”
Volunteering together has special meaning for them because, as Carol shared, “Earl and I met volunteering.” They both enjoy “meeting people and doing the work that makes a difference in people’s lives.” One of their favorite Lodge memories was attending the Charity Ball two years ago, which they described as “a magical evening and so much fun.” For Carol, the Elks also carries on a proud family tradition, as her parents, aunt, and uncle were Elks in Troy, Michigan. Outside of the Lodge, Carol and Earl enjoy spending time at home with their two dogs, Chili and Vader, entertaining family and friends, and traveling together during Arizona’s hot summer months.
When asked what advice they would give new members, their answer was simple: volunteer. “Just do it again, and again,” Carol said. “You’ll be glad you did. It’s so fun and you’ll walk away every time with a smile on your face and a good feeling in your heart knowing you made a difference.”
Being recognized as Elks of the Month means a great deal to them. As Carol shared, “We’ve volunteered a lot over the years and have never been with an organization that appreciates its volunteers as much as The Elks. That means everything.” They also wanted to give special thanks to Jan Mitchell, who welcomed Carol early on, introduced her to the Veterans Committee, and became not only an inspiration but also a close friend.
A big thank you to Carol and Earl for everything you do for Phoenix Elks Lodge #335. Your time, dedication, kindness, and commitment to helping others truly make a difference. The Lodge is better because of both of you. Congratulations again on being named Elks of the Month!
Originally published in the June 2026 Tracks newsletter of Phoenix Elks Lodge #335. Read the full issue (PDF).
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