Both the Wareham and the New Bedford Boys and Girls Clubs got a boost from the Wareham-New Bedford Lodge of Elks, in the form of the Gratitude Grant Thursday night.

Lodge member Donna Allen said the Gratitude Grant comes from the Grand Lodge, and is used to support ongoing programs in the area, like the Boys and Girls Club.

“[This] gives us the opportunity to get involved in the ongoing program, and keep it going, and continue to support our community,” Allen said.

Kenny Fontes, director of the Boys and Girls Club, said he was “very excited about the $1,000 scholarship between the New Bedford club and the Wareham one.”

“We’re going to divide it -- $500 for each club,” Fontes said. “In the Wareham club, we are looking to use it for a Wii-Fit, or something that keeps the kids healthy, as well as some literature for them now, because of all the bullying and things that are going on.”

Robert Mendes said he was very grateful to the Lodge for the grant.

“Some people may say it’s a small grant, but, when you’re in a non-profit, there’s no such thing as a small grant,” Mendes said. “We will also be utilizing the funds for … a health and fitness initiative.”

“Without organizations like this, we would not be able to do what we do,” Mendes said.