The DeKalb Moose Lodge #586, 1231 E. Lincoln Highway, has been a part of the community and the life of Lodge Administrator Jay Ruby since 1985.

“I joined as a social member because of the cheap food and drinks for members,” Ruby said. “It was a cool place to hang out back then. There was a band every Friday, and it was always jammed with people.”

The Moose Lodge is known as a family fraternity and is part of Moose International which is a non-for profit fraternal organization.

“The Loyal Order of the Moose has roughly 2,000 lodges in the U.S. with over 500,000 members,” said Acting Regional Manager Austin Howard.

Ruby said the three main aspects of the Moose Fraternity are Mooseheart, Moosehaven and the community.

“Mooseheart is located in Batavia and is a place for kids who come from dysfunctional families,” Ruby said. “They try to create as much of a family environment as possible. We stay close to these kids for their entire lives by making sure that someone is there for high school graduations and that they all have Christmas presents, things of that nature.”

These youths are sponsored by Moose International and are able to earn a high school degree and learn a trade. If they graduate with a B average, they qualify for a four year college scholarship, Ruby said. There are currently around 220 kids living at Mooseheart, in Batavia, ranging from young children to high school seniors.

The Moose Organization also funds Moosehaven, in Orange Park, Florida, a retirement center, Ruby said.

“In order to qualify for Moosehaven, you must be a moose member of 15 years and be at least 65 years old,” Ruby said.

The last aspect of the Moose Organization is local community contributions.

“We do community service events and make contributions to local charities like Safe Passage,” Ruby said. “We also hold fundraisers and make donations directly to Mooseheart.”

To become a member of the lodge, sign up and payment of a yearly fee of $40 is required.

“Then you can be a part of the famous Friday night fish fry and other weekly gatherings,” Ruby said.