Purple Pig

Committee Chair – Karen Garland

PURPLE PIG

The Purple Pig committee works to raise funds to  to address the unmet needs of children with disabilities through a program of supporting services to aid these children at no cost to their families. That program is the Purple Pig, the fundraising arm of the California-Hawaii Elks Association Major Project, Inc. Since its inception in 1950, The California-Hawaii Elks have raised over $140.5 million to help these kids. Purple Pig banks are available at the lodge for your loose change and every second Tuesday of the month is Purple Pig Day when members turn in their piggy banks filled with coins (and bills) and exchange them for new ones.  In addition, the committee has fundraising events throughout the year.  

The Purple Pig Project: Changing Lives, One Coin at a Time

For over seven decades, the Purple Pig Project has been a defining symbol of generosity, compassion, and community service within the California-Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA). Known for its quirky mascot and simple mission, the Purple Pig Project supports children with disabilities by funding critical therapy services—turning small change into life-changing opportunities.

Origins of the Purple Pig

The Purple Pig Project officially began in 1950 as part of the CHEA’s commitment to helping children with disabilities. In the post-war era, the need for pediatric therapeutic services was growing, but access—especially for families of modest means—was limited. The Elks of California and Hawaii saw an opportunity to step in and provide lasting help.

To make giving easy and fun, CHEA introduced purple piggy banks as a collection tool. Elks members were encouraged to drop spare change into their pigs and return them full. The slogan, “A Coin a Day and They’ll Walk, Talk, See and Play,” became a guiding mantra, reminding members that even small donations could lead to big results.

Over the years, the purple pig became an icon across the two states—a symbol of hope and grassroots philanthropy.

Funding Critical Services

Funds raised through the Purple Pig Project are directed to the CHEA Major Project, a charitable initiative that provides free therapeutic services to children with physical and developmental disabilities. These services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology.

Unlike many assistance programs, the Major Project focuses on individualized, in-home services. This allows therapists to work directly with children in their most comfortable environments, enabling more consistent progress and stronger family involvement. Importantly, these services are offered at no cost to the family, regardless of income or insurance status.

The impact is profound: children who may otherwise go without critical early intervention receive tailored support, dramatically improving their quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Therapists as “Purple Pig Heroes”

One of the unique strengths of the Purple Pig Project is its team of professional therapists, often referred to as CHEA’s Purple Pig Heroes. These dedicated individuals travel thousands of miles annually to visit families in remote or underserved communities. Their work goes far beyond therapy sessions—they offer encouragement, training, and emotional support to families navigating difficult journeys.

Therapists develop long-term relationships with the families they serve, often working with children over many months or even years. This consistent care has been a cornerstone of the program’s success and one of the reasons why it has earned such widespread respect.

Grassroots Giving with a Big Impact

What sets the Purple Pig Project apart from many charitable efforts is its deeply grassroots nature. The vast majority of funds come not from large grants or corporate sponsors, but from individual Elks members and local lodges. Spare change collected in purple pigs at home, at meetings, and during lodge events adds up—typically generating over $3 million annually to support the Major Project.

The program also promotes a culture of giving across generations. Many lodges involve children and families in pig-decorating contests, parades, and fundraising drives, helping instill a sense of civic responsibility and compassion in young people.

A Lasting Legacy

Over the decades, the Purple Pig Project has helped tens of thousands of children in California and Hawaii. It’s not just about mobility or speech—it’s about dignity, confidence, and hope. Parents of children who have received services often describe the Elks and their therapists as angels, having stepped in when they had nowhere else to turn.

In 2020, the project marked its 70th anniversary—a testament to the enduring spirit of the Elks and their unwavering commitment to children in need.

The Power of a Pig

In a world dominated by large-scale fundraising campaigns and flashy digital promotions, the Purple Pig Project remains refreshingly simple and deeply effective. It proves that compassion doesn’t require complexity. Sometimes, it just takes a little pig, a little change, and a lot of heart.

As the CHEA looks toward the future, the purple pig continues to remind us all that small acts of kindness, when multiplied, can create lasting change—one coin at a time.