As the Salmon Bay Aerie #2141 Fraternal Order of Eagles celebrated its 75th Anniversary, new members are being recruited to help the organization thrive into the future.

"If you don't have younger members, you won't last long. Now we're starting to get all the young men we can get. Now we're starting to get more," said Don Anderson a Salmon Bay Eagle member for 39 years. He is currently the secretary and manager of the historic club on 20th Avenue Northwest.

Membership is $36 a year with a $15 initiation fee. Applicants must be sponsored by a member of the club.

The club held its 75th birthday party in March with Washington State Eagles worthy president Bud Bridges and Grand Aerie worthy conductor Jerry Sullivan in attendance.

"I've been in every office you can think of. I've been secretary a couple of times. This is my 15th year as secretary," said Anderson.

The Eagles purchased their building in 1937 during the Great Depression with a $150 down payment. In 1942 the group held a 10th anniversary party, the mortgage was paid off and the papers were burned.

The club has a bar and dining room with a stage for music. Blues bands play three nights a week and attracts a good crowd. Weekly poker games draw a dedicated crowd of players, along with lunches and dinners.

Upstairs there is a hall where official club business takes place. The walls are lined with framed photographs of current and past presidents. The latest president is Steve Regan.

"Many Ballard pioneers have been president. It is run by the membership, not by any one person. The Board of Trustees receive direction," said Anderson.

The club's headquarters, now in the shadow of a towering condominium, has a prominent place in Ballard history and remains a constant as the area changes around them. In the early days, before the Eagles bought it, the building was a house of prostitution, said Anderson.

The bar where people sit and order drinks, came from France aboard a ship that traveled around the Horn of Africa. The bar is one of six original pieces. Other sections can be found in a Ballard Avenue basement and the Seattle Underground Tour in Pioneer Square.

Dee Sterns is a 37-year Eagles member. She got married at the Salmon Bay Eagles Club in 1971.

"One of my best memories was my wedding reception here. My husband was the president," said Sterns.

The club is like a second home to Sterns. She comes in each day to do the accounting and manage the funds collected for charity.

"It's our second home. It means a lot to me. Look at me, I'm down here. We've done so much for so many charities," said Sterns.

Anderson said the Eagles like to support heart disease, cancer and children's programs. One of the favorite charities over the years is the Seattle Fire Department's Medic One program. The Salmon Bay Eagles Women's Auxiliary gives money to Alzheimer's disease groups.

The Northwest Senior Activity Center and the Highlanders Drill Team which marches in the May 17 parade each year in Ballard receive funds.

"We're pretty proud of them (Highlanders). They win championships quite often. They are one of the best marching bands in Seattle and the state," said Anderson.

During the last Christmas, the club donated money and other items to help farmers affected by the floods in Chehalis.

"A member loaded all the stuff and took it to the Chehalis Eagles," said Sterns.

The Eagles collect ticket sales from dinners, dances, raffles and shows at the club.

"We work hard but we have fun doing it. We do the fun stuff to raise money for charities," said Anderson. In June, the Salmon Bay Eagles are holding their 8th Annual Poker Run to benefit the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund.

Anderson said the Salmon Bay Eagles motto is "People Helping People."