The Idaho State Elks Association named Debbi Nadrchal, of Coeur d’Alene, the Idaho State Elk of the Year on June 3 at the organization’s summer convention held in Salmon, Idaho.

Nadrchal, who was recognized for her charitable contributions to her community, is the first woman to receive this award since the organization’s establishment in Idaho.

“It goes to show that you don’t have to be man to be rewarded for your hard work,” Nadrchal said.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a fraternal order and charitable foundation with 2,000 lodges across the country. It provides scholarships and programs to communities to show that “Elks care” and “Elks share.” A group of 17 entertainers in New York began the order in 1868, and it has since become the second largest scholarship contributor, just below the U.S. government, in the nation.

Nadrchal joined the order after seeing it in action while her father was a member. At one point, he was the district deputy.

“When I became a member, my dad actually performed the initiation,” Nadrchal said. She has been a member for 11 years now.

In her time as a member of the B.P.O.E, Nadrchal has served as treasurer, secretary, and now chaplain of the Coeur d’Alene lodge. She’s volunteered with multiple local charitable efforts such as St. Vincent de Paul’s Veterans Stand Down and Matt’s Place Foundation, to name a few.

“I have my plaque and I’m not quite sure where I want to put it yet, somewhere where I can look at it and remember to stay humble and remember that I want to continue to help people,” Nadrchal said.