For 30 years, they have served the Orangeburg community by supporting organizations such as the American Red Cross, the National Kidney Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Meals on Wheels through donations.

They have assisted local needy families, distributed Christmas stockings full of goodies to those in assisted living facilities and helped Dogs for the Deaf. Their scholarships aid area students in achieving academic success.

"They" are the dozens of ladies that comprise the Benevolent, Patriotic Order of Does Drove No. 237. All of their community work, members say, is done out of a love of service.

"I enjoy doing for other people," said one-year trustee Virginia Hewitt. "I'll probably do that the rest of my life. If you enjoy it, you will."

Hewitt, who has been a Doe for 13 years, quickly adds that the Drove is "not a social club -- this is especially for doing work with charity."

The local BPO of Does celebrated its 30th anniversary during its gala on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Orangeburg Elk's Lodge. Their official anniversary was on Sept. 24. It was on that day in 1978 that charter members were installed as Orangeburg Drove No. 237.

Those who were around for that momentous occasion say it was a big deal when a new Drove was installed in the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent, Patriotic Order of Does of the United States, adding that notes of congratulations were received from Droves across the U.S. The Orangeburg Drove's first president was Mary Lou Golini.

The BPO of Does of the United States of America was chartered on Feb. 12, 1921, in Omaha, Neb., by wives of members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks who wanted to form an organization similar to the Elks that would work in conjunction with the male-dominated lodge. The Elks helped the ladies develop rituals, a constitution and other key elements necessary to become a sister organization to the Elks.

"It's really based on the Elks Lodge and everything they do," said Kaye Union, Orangeburg Drove president.

The ladies of Drove No. 237 say theirs is the second-largest Drove in South Carolina next to Charleston, which has one of the largest in the nation. In addition to Charleston and Orangeburg, South Carolina has Droves in Anderson, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill and Union. South Carolina is also home to two past supreme presidents, who lead all Droves in the U.S. -- Anne Patrick of Union Drove No. 148 and Cindy Hill of Charleston Drove No. 231.

"Just like every other fraternal organization, we are becoming few and far between. They are becoming a thing of the past," said Carol Driggers, a charter member of the group who this year is serving as attendant No. 4 for the organization. She said the Drove's members are getting older, and new, younger ladies are slowly joining their ranks.

But Driggers, whose husband, Del, has been an Elk for nearly 40 years, said she wouldn't trade her experiences with the Does for anything.

"We have so much fellowship," said Driggers, who served as the Drove's second president in 1980 and also as a national officer during the Hill administration as supreme chaplain. "I have met so many people from throughout the U.S., I wouldn't take anything in the world for the frie-ips I've made. It just makes you feel good to be around some of the best people on Earth."

Driggers said she also enjoys being a part of the Does' rituals.

"In all of our rituals we perform, we perform them in long, white dresses. When you go to Grand Lodge, everyone that has to perform is in a white dress," Driggers said. "It is gorgeous."

Two ceremonies the local Does perform annually are Memorial Day, which is held the first Sunday in December to remember deceased Elks, and Flag Day, which is held in June to honor the American flag and its history.

"When you see those white dresses and the American flag being carried around that room, it will just tear your heart out," said Doe Sara Alexander, flag bearer No. 4 for Drove No. 237.

But while the rituals and frie-ips are special, most all of the Does will agree that charity work is their top priority. The Does raise money through annual fund-raisers including a Rubber Duck Race at the Orangeburg Festival of Roses, yard sales, dinners, raffles and bake sales, just to name a few. In November, they will hold a concert featuring Bamberg singer-songwriter David Cooler. But perhaps their biggest money maker, and probably most recognizable venture, is the duck race.

"The ducks ... we sell them for $5 and on Sunday afternoon, we go to the bridge and dump them over, and the ones that make it to the finish line first win money," Union said.

The funds raised during these activities go to support research associated with illnesses such as kidney disease, Down syndrome and Alzheimer's and to organizations that help those in need, including the Red Cross, the Ronald McDonald House, Meals on Wheels and Dogs for the Deaf. Union said Does nationwide are also supporting a new initiative to get dogs in the hands of autistic people. And two or three lucky students receive scholarships each year from the group to help offset college expenses.

Other nonprofit organizations are not overlooked for support. In fact, Hewitt said oftentimes, Does have family or friends affected by a particular illness, and they request money be given to that cause for research. Or a member of the community may be facing hard times due to a sudden ailment and need help with living expenses, which the Does contribute to, too. Does also collect Campbell's Soup labels for St. Jude Children's Hospital, Box Tops for Education and soda can tabs for Ronald McDonald House.

"Locally, we don't have one specific project," Union said. "We'll give out food and clothes and what's needed." Food baskets at holidays, toys for children at Christmas and fruit and gifts for the elderly in homes during the holidays -- each of these are sponsored by the Does through their fund-raising efforts.

"To me, this is part of being an American, being able to give back because we have so much," Union said. "I get more out of it than the people that we actually do it for. It make me feel so much more appreciative of what I have. I just go home feeling great about it."

Alexander said the Christmas stockings for the elderly are a really special cause for the Does.

"Many of them don't have anyone to come see them or give them anything," the charter member said. "Around 100 gifts are given each Christmas. ... The looks on their faces, 'Oh, someone is thinking of me at this time,' is really a rewarding thing. You get more out of it than you feel like they do."

Union said new members are always welcome and must be recommended by an Elk. Once recommended, a potential Doe must fill out an application for membership and be sponsored by two Does and an Elk.

"We want to make sure that they realize it is not just fun and games," Union said. "It is a charity organization, and we expect you to get involved with the community." After all requirements have been met, the applicant is voted on for membership.

Hewitt said the Does work closely with the Elks in their charitable work.

"We give them several thousand dollars per year," she said.

"I enjoy it," Hewitt added about the work involved with the Does. "If you ever go to the assisted living facilities, some of those people never have any visitors and the only Christmas present they get is the ones we give them. They are just thrilled to death to see us come in with that big bag of gifts, and we have a big bag of fruit that we give them, as well.

"We use all of our money for charity. This is not a social club -- this is especially for doing work with charity. If we have a family that is burned out, we try to give them as much as we can. Or, if someone can't pay their utilities and they are in great need, we will step in and pay their utilities. ... I think it's a great organization. It does good."

Outstanding service in the Does and the community can merit the Doe of the Year recognition. Union was honored with the title in 2007.

Alexander said, however, that while service is first in the Does, they do take a break from it all every now and then.

"We have an outing in the summer where we just let our hair down," she said, adding that they'll bring some food, hire a DJ and have a good time.

Ginny Wise, who has been a Doe since 2005 and serves as senior counselor for the organization, said the Drove offers much to an individual.

"We are about patriotism, charity, loyalty and love," she said. "If these four principles are applied in your daily life, they can make you a much better person. I chose to join the Drove because of the charitable work that is done throughout the year and the camaraderie of the members. I have made new friends and have met a lot of wonderful people over the last three years."

Wise said although the ritual floor work requires a lot of practice, it is worth it.

"The end results show we are all proud to be a member of this wonderful organization," Wise said.

The ritual work is charter member June Derrick's favorite part of the Does. She said the organization hasn't changed much over the years, although it is getting harder to raise money.

"We are constantly trying to make money," Derrick said.

During her 30 years as a Doe, Derrick has served as treasurer for 15 years, been a president twice and is currently a two-year trustee. She said she has one more year as a trustee, and "then I'm done. Then I'll rest a little."

Derrick said the women of Drove No. 237 are like family to her.

"I feel like they're my sisters, and I love each and every one of them," she said. "They are my sister Does. They're always there."

T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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