Major Project, Inc. Serving Children With Disabilities Since 1950
In 1950, CHEA created an organization within it to help children with disabilities. The fundraising arm of CHEMPI is the Purple Pig. All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
The organization is called the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc. This unique program funds 32 paid therapists and pediatric vision screeners, hired by CHEMPI, to help disabled children when no other organizations can or will. These CHEMPI professional therapists and pediatric vision screeners travel, sometimes great distances, to help children get care they need.
Further, many times the children will have tests, e.g. Vision Screening, that catches early signs of amblyopia (“Lazy Eye”), a medical problem that, once caught, can be corrected early on and save a child from going blind, quite literally.
Mission Statement
“The California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc., a committee of the California-Hawaii Elks Association, pledges its commitment to addressing the unmet needs of children with disabilities throughout the states of California and Hawaii by developing a program of supporting services to aid these children at no cost to the families and without discrimination.”
California-Hawaii Elks Association employs highly trained professionals, including:
- Occupational Therapists.
- Physical Therapists.
- Speech-Language Pathologists.
- Pediatric Vision Screeners.
These services are provided without cost or discrimination, ensuring access for every child who needs help.
CHEMPI Occupational Therapists help kids learn how to overcome their disabilities so that they can learn how to better adapt to society. Through individual home instruction, the goal for all children in the program is to become as independent and self-sufficient as they can. Our occupational therapists, working with the parents, teach our children the basics, from feeding and dressing skills, to dealing with problems in sensory integration.
CHEMPI Elks Physical Therapists travel from home to home in California and Hawaii to evaluate and treat children with a wide range of disabilities. Their focus is to help these children learn or improve important motor skills by educating or re-educating muscles and increase strength, endurance and coordination. Parent involvement helps increase the rate of success.
The CHEMPI Elks Pediatric Vision Screening Program was created in 1965 to screen preschool children 2½ to 5 years of age for vision deficiencies. It is the goal of the program to significantly decrease the number of children at risk for amblyopia (“lazy eye”) and other vision problems such as astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia by checking their eyes early on.
The gift of communication, the promise of the future–with thanks to the Elks. Our highly trained Elks Major Project Speech-Language Pathologists can diagnose a variety of communication disorders and coordinate a home program of therapy with the parent. Many speech-language problems are addressed by the staff, including swallowing or feeding difficulties.
The Purple Pig
The Purple Pig is the fundraising symbol and financial backbone of the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project. Funds raised through the Purple Pig directly support CHEMPI services, providing free physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and vision screenings for children with disabilities across California and Hawaii.
Through Lodge fundraising, individual contributions, and legacy gifts, the Purple Pig ensures these essential services remain available to children and families—regardless of their ability to pay.
2010 Theme Child Joins San Diego Elks Lodge No. 168
Alexis and Nicole Booth were initiated into San Diego Elks Lodge 168 on November 21, 2013.
It was a great night and both enjoyed the evening. Alexis was the 2010 Theme Child for the
California-Hawaii Elks Major Project. Alexis wants to stay active and promote the CHEMPI
program as “Ambassador”. They will both make good members and now can visit Elks Lodges
when they travel.
Bob and Diane Farrens, CHEA Piggy Bank Chairman, came down from Temecula to be with
everyone. Bob Farrens sent this note from James “Skip” Wilkinson. He was the Exalted Ruler at
Temecula when Alexis was the Theme Child. He always said that “Alexis is proof of what we
accomplish with our little pigs.”
Pictured are Joel Marchese, Joseph J “JJ” Johnson, Alexis Booth, Nicole Booth, Dan Knowlton, Exalted Ruler; Tim Baker, Michael Bradford, Pete Robinson.
The fundraising arm of CHEMPI is the Purple Pig. Request a Therapist or Pediatric Vision Screener to visit your Lodge. Fill out a Form 11- Request for Professional Staff Participation.
Request for Information - CHEMPI Services
Have a question about our therapy programs or professional services? Use this form to get in touch with our Director of Professional Services.