Lakewood Elks #1350 Donate More Than $165,000 To Local Charities
Lakewood (OH) Elks Lodge #1350 recently donated more than $165,000 to more than a dozen local charities and non-profits that focus specific needs within the community. Awards were given to Special Spaces Cleveland that build dream bedrooms for kids fighting cancer, Tails From The City which is an all-volunteer, no-kill cat shelter, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace who make sure all kids have a bed sleep on in Cuyahoga County…just to name a few.
Berea Elks #1815 Raise Funds For Police Memorial Fund Through Annual Dart Tournament
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 hosted the 4th Annual Doubles Dart Tournament to benefit the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society (GCPOMS) a non-profit charity, whose mission is to honor peace officers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of service to their communities and the nation, especially those from the Greater Cleveland area, including Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, and northern Summit Counties.
Fifteen teams from law enforcement, and Elks members from Berea Lodge #1815, Willoughby-Cleveland Lodge #18, and Lakewood Lodge #1350, competed for top awards, raising a total of approximately $1,400 for the fund.
Refreshments were donated by Teamz Restaurant & Bar and Berea Lodge #1815. The Cleveland Darter Club donated the use of the boards.
Cleveland Police Teams for the first year captured first place, as well as second and third place as follows:
FIRST PLACE: Matt Cavanaugh, CPD and Mike Ward CPD (Retired)
SECOND PLACE: Kevin Navratill, CPD and Scott Moran CPD (Retired)
THIRD PLACE: Frankie Cruz CPD and Dave Wagner CPD (Retired)
Last Chance To Register For Elks Leadership Kollege!
Are you a new lodge officer?
Are you leading a lodge committee?
Are you a long-time lodge leader?
Do you just need help?!
We are here for you!
The Elks Leadership Kollege is a valuable training session being offered to lodge officers and members. Qualified trainers will be conducting sessions packed full of valuable information that will guide you through a successful lodge year. Please take advantage of this opportunity to have your officers learn what they need to know and implement in order to have a successful year!
The 2025 session will be held at Newark Lodge #391 on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Newark Lodge will be featuring dinner and entertainment on Friday evening, February 21 for those coming to stay overnight.
Overnight accommodations available at:
Doubletree by Hilton
50 N. 2nd St
Newark, OH 43055
888-289-0870
Registration opens at 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast available with donation proceeds going to CP.
Morning session begins at 10:00 a.m. and will feature discussions on Grand Lodge and resources and Grand Lodge Activities and the opportunities available to help all our lodges along with guidance on grant writing through ENF.
Lunch provided with donations going to support ENF.
Afternoon breakout sessions will focus on officer responsibilities and opportunities.
REGISTER HERE: https://ohioelks.com/kollege
Ravenna Elk #1076 Work To Honor Deceased Veterans
Pictured in the attached photo are Chris along with Trustee Matt Moore, Chair of the Chili Cookoff.
Ravenna Elks Lodge #1076 has taken on a new Veterans’ Service project. Over the past several years member Chris Untrauer has taken up a ‘hobby’ of finding unmarked graves of veterans and arranging to have them marked with bronze plaques.
So far she’s found many such graves in public and private cemeteries around the area.
The plaques are provided by the Veterans Administration, but installation is expensive. When the Lodge learned of her efforts thru a news article it was immediately decided that we should take up the cause with Chris.
The proceeds from our February 1st Chili Cookoff (about $3,000) were earmarked for the project, and a dinner/entertainment event is in the works for May.
Examples of the plaques – including one for our recently deceased PER Charles Venable.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Support Local DARE Breakfast
From left, lodge members Al Zimmerman, Matt Krol, Gary Schaffer and Kathy Shaffer
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 assisted the Van Wert City D.A.R.E. program with their annual DARE Pre-Valentines Day Pancake and Sausage Breakfast held on Saturday morning, February 8, 2025 at the Van Wert Elementary School. Over 550 people were served that morning.
Members of Van Wert Elks Lodge were busy helping on the serving line and back in the kitchen area as well. The Elks are proud to be able to assist with this great event for the kids.
Pictured are lodge members Al Zimmerman, Matt Krol, Gary Schaffer and Kathy Shaffer
Van Wert Elks #1197 Helps Local Fire Department Keep Community Safe
From left: Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman and Van Wert Fire Chief Jon Jones.
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $500 to the Van Wert Fire Department for their “No Child Sleeps Unprotected” program.
The monies, provided thru the Elks National Foundation in the form of a Gratitude Grant were made possible thru the generous donations to the foundation by the members of Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197. During the 2023-2024 lodge year, the goal of the foundation was that each lodge donate a minimum of $4.80 per member. Van Wert Lodge met their goal and surpassed it. Due to these donations, the lodge received the Gratitude Grant.
The Elks National Foundation is a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by over 800,000 Elks and their families and friends from more than 1800 Elks Lodges across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
With this money, Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to help provide smoke detectors to all incoming kindergarteners in all the Van Wert county schools. “The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have always been known for their charitable works and this is Van Wert Lodge’s way of helping our community and those who are in need” stated Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Chairman for the Elks National Foundation.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Support Local Women’s Shelter
From left: Julie Schaufelberger, Outreach Coordinator and Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $900 to the YWCA Women’s Shelter in Van Wert.
The monies, provided thru the Elks National Foundation (ENF) in the form of a Gratitude Grant were made possible thru the generous donations to the foundation by the members of Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197. During the 2023-2024 lodge year, the goal of the foundation was that each lodge donate a minimum of $4.80 per member. Van Wert Lodge met their goal and surpassed it. Due to these donations, the lodge received the Gratitude Grant.
The Elks National Foundation is a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by over 800,000 Elks and their families and friends from more than 1,800 Elks Lodges across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
With this money, Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to help the YWCA Women’s Shelter to provide a warm bed along with a safe location for the women of Van Wert. “The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have always been known for their charitable works and this is Van Wert Lodge’s way of helping our community and those who are in need” stated Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Chairman for the Elks National Foundation.
Van Wert Elks Supports Local Fire Department
From left: Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman with Captain Dale Ball.
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $1,100 to the Convoy Fire Department to assist them with the purchase of eight sections of attack hose. The monies are from a Gratitude Grant the lodge received from the Elks National Foundation (ENF). Gratitude Grants are given to lodges that meet their per-capita goal of donations to the Elks National Foundation
The Elks National Foundation is a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Contributions to the foundation are made each year by over 800,000 Elks and their families and friends from more than 1,800 Elks Lodges across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
With this donation the department will be able to have the amount of hose needed to help them fight fires effectively. Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the Convoy Fire Department with the excellent fire protection they provide.
Van Wert Elks Announce Students Of The Month
From Left: Allison Noggle with Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair.
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have selected Dakotah Nihiser, senior at Crestview High School and Allison Noggle, senior at Wayne Trace High School as the recipients of the Student of the Month for December.
From left: Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair with Dakotah Nihiser.
Students are nominated by their high schools to receive this award. Each Student of the Month receives a monetary donation along with a certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 with the possibility to be named the Student of the Year. Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements – Volunteerism, Character, Leadership, Service, Citizenship and Scholastic.
This program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for their achievements in school and community. The Elks wish to recognize and praise those students for their accomplishments, their activities, and their contributions to society through this program.
Gallipolis Elks Bring Holiday Gifts To Veterans
The Gallipolis Elks used an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Freedom Grant to team with the Gallia Co. Council on Aging and 20 students from the South Gallia High School to purchase Christmas gifts for Veterans that are in nursing homes throughout our area.
The Christmas gifts consisted of items the Vets needed to help with their personal hygiene, comfort and entertainment. Forty six male Vets and 3 female Vets received bags that contained socks, tin of cookies, puzzle book, pen, comb, nail clippers, emery board, shaving cream, disposable razors, denture cleaner, body wash, deodorant, Blistex, toothbrush, tooth paste, and a toothbrush holder. Also included was a blanket donated by the Gallia Council on Aging.
The bags were delivered personally to the Vets a few days before Christmas
Ashland Elks #1360 Helps Local Firefighters
From left: Chief Jeremy Smith, Salesman Luke Ricketts, Ashland Elks ER, firefighters Eric Bohland (Elk) and Emery Arnold
The Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 is proud to announce its recent donation of a set of Kodiak lifting devices to the Ruggles Troy Volunteer Fire Department. This generous contribution aims to enhance the department’s capability to respond to emergencies and ensure the safety of both firefighters and the community. The Kodiak lifting devices, will significantly improve the firefighters' ability to perform rescues and manage heavy loads during accidents.
Spring Convention Pre-Registration Now Open!
Registration for the 126th Annual Ohio Elks Association Spring Convention in Columbus, OH is now open! The OEA Spring Convention will take place April 25-27, 2025 at the Marriott Columbus Northwest located in the Columbus suburb of Dublin. Pre-register for the event for just $12 ($15 to register on-site). The OEA has negotiated excellent rates for lodging at the event.
Friday’s “Opening Night Celebration” is $30 for adults and $15 for children (12 and under) and will feature a sit-down dinner followed by a concert performed by the high-energy rock band “Ultra Sound” featuring hits from the 80’s hair bands like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Guns & Roses, AC/DC, Night Ranger, Lover Boy and more.
Those attending “Opening Night” will have a choice of the following dinner options:
Creamy bowtie pasta with mushrooms and spinach
Garlic parmesan chicken with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables
Honey garlic pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables
Attendance to “Opening Night” requires a fully paid convention credential.
Join your fellow Ohio Elks as we meet to conduct business of the order, install the State Officers for the upcoming year, and renew friendships with fellow Elks members across the Buckeye State.
Please note, if you are bringing children to the reunion, there is no cost (unless they attend “Opening Night”) but we do need their names registered with the OEA.
Pre-Registration will close April 3, 2025. After April 3rd, interested Elks may register in person at convention.
Northwest District Hoop Shoot Champions Announced
Northwest Ohio Elks District Hoop Shoot
The Northwest Ohio Elks District Hoop Shoot competition was held on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at The Ohio State University-Lima/Rhodes State College campus, Cook Hall.
The Elks Hoop Shoot is the national free throw shooting contest for boys and girls age 8 through 13. Each contestant has 25 shots at the hoop. The boy and girl in each age group (8-9; 10-11; and 12-13) with the best score advance through four tiers of competition to qualify for the national finals. The District winners are:
8-9 Girls Lucy Kuhn – Findlay Elks Lodge #75 (18/25)
10-11 Girls Allie Garrison – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 (15/25)
12-13 Girls Harper Unrast – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 (16/25)
8-9 Boys Brody Howe – Lima Elks Lodge #54 (20/25)
10-11 Boys Jack Clark – Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 (22/25)
12-13 Boys Gavin Voiles – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 (17/25 & 4/5)
The District winners will compete in the State Hoop Shoot competition which will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in Newark, OH.
The Regional Hoop Shoot Competition will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 in South Bend, IN.
The National Hoop Shoot Competition will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in Chicago, IL.
North Central District Hoop Shoot Champions Announced
NORTH-CENTRAL HOOP SHOOT RESULTS
The North-Central District Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw contest was held on Sunday, Jan. 5 at Norwalk High School. The event gathered 8-13 year-old girls and boys who had earlier qualified at their local Elks Hoop Shoot in December.
Norwalk Elks Lodge #730 and Hoop Shoot coordinator Becky Parcher hosted the event and supplied a number of volunteer workers for the event.
Each contestant was given 25 free throw attempts. Ties were broken in sets of five additional free throws. Trophies were awarded to the top three girls and boys in each age group and District Champion patches were awarded as well. Results were:
Girls 8-9: 1. Remi Garrison, Wooster, 16-of-25; 2. Amelia Fritz, Bellevue, 11-of-25; 3. Jazelle Feliciano, Lorain, 9-of-25.
Girls 10-11: 1. Morgan Wenger, Wooster, 17-of-25; 2. Lacey Power, Ashland, 10-of-25; 3. Blake Case, Norwalk, 7-of-25.
Girls 12-13: 1. Ava Hawkins, Bellevue 15-of-25; 2. Monroe Mager, Ashland, 14-of-25; 3. Siena Spadaro, Sandusky, 11-of-25.
Boys 8-9: 1. Corey Doster, Bellevue, 21-of-25; 2. Zane Sargeant, Wooster, 19-of-25; 3. Ethan Edmonds, Mount Vernon, 17-of-25.
Boys 10-11: 1. Caden Larrick, Elyria, 23-of-25; 2. Alec Brown, Bellevue, 20-of-25; 3. John Lenden, Wooster, 17-of-25.
Boys 12-13: 1. Jaxon Ramos, Lorain, 21-of-25, 5-of-5; 2. Jeremy Johnson, Sandusky, 21-of-25, 2-of-5; 3. Kyler Larrick, Elyria, 19-of-25.
The six champions now advance to the Elks State Hoop Shoot contest on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Liberty Middle School in Newark, facing off against the five other District winners from Ohio. Those six champions will then move on to the U.S. Regional in South Bend, IN in March, with Regional champions completing the journey to the National Hoop Shoot Finals in Chicago, IL in April.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Helps Battle Hunger In Community
From left: Major Deb Weigner and Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $2,000 to the Salvation Army of Van Wert for their food pantry. The monies are from a Beacon Grant the lodge received from the Elks National Foundation.
The Elks National Foundation is a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by almost one million Elks and their families and friends from more than 1,800 Elks Lodges across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the Salvation Army with this important service they provide the citizens of the community in need.
Ashland Elks #1360 Brings Holiday Cheer To Community
Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 opened its doors Christmas morning to serve a warm and hearty breakfast to all members of the community, spreading holiday cheer to a record 65 attendees.
The lodge’s volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare and serve a festive meal, offering pancakes, french toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee, and more to guests free of charge. The event aimed to provide a welcoming space for anyone seeking companionship and a sense of community during the holiday season.
With the recent passing of long-time member and Christmas breakfast leader Larry "Stymie" Stine, the crew made sure to continue the tradition of providing for the community during the Christmas holiday and will continue to do so for years to come.
Thank you to the members of the Ashland lodge for providing the funding for the breakfast.
Berea Elks #1815 Helps Homeless Veterans
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 delivered 54 backpacks to the VA Police stuffed with personal dignity supplies that will be handed out to homeless veterans by the department. This was made possible by a Freedom Grant from Elks National Foundation (ENF) and by additional donations from lodge members. Many thanks to all who helped put this together. The VA Police will be taking these out to Warren, OH where all of these will be gone in a day as the numbers of homeless veterans in that area is just staggering. Hopefully this effort will bring minor relief to those who need it most.
Upper Sandusky Elks #83 Invests over $72,000 Back To The Community
Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83 recently donated over $72,000 to our local 501(c)(3) Charities!!!! Another great year to help so many!!! We were able to help All Species Adoption, Angeline Industries, Big Nut Scholarships, CASA, Frank Shuleski Scouting, Hannah House, Wyandot Health Foundation, Jacob Davidson Scholarship, NAMI Northwest, Open Door Resource, PUT Euthanasia, Rams Boosters, Star Players, City of Upper-Fireworks, Fantasy of Lights, Wyandot Co 4H, Wyandot Co Connections, Wyandot Co Midget League, Wyandot Co Young Professionals, and Wyandot Co Conservation! We were also able to make additional donations to ENF, Ohio Elks Endowment, and Cerebral Palsy through the OEA Charitable Trust! Thanks to all the great members of our lodge!
Ohio Elks At Tournament of Roses Parade
Ohio Elks Association State President Brad Goodballet travelled to Southern California with Grand Exalted Ruler and Ohio native Doug Schiefer to attend the Tournament of Roses parade and attend the Rose Bowl featuring the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. the Ducks of Oregon.
Brad and his wife Kerry are on location at Irwindale, CA, where the floats for the Tournament of the Roses parade are assembled. In the background the Elks USA float. Be sure to watch the parade and check out the B.P.O.E. float! Happy New Year to all and GO BUCKEYES!
From left: California-Hawaii Elks Association State President Marty Mello and his wife Debra, back, Pasadena, CA Lodge No. 672 Elks Exalted Ruler Matt Stadtler, Ohio Elks Association State President Brad L. Goodballet and his wife Kerry, Grand Exalted Ruler Doug Schiefer and his wife Julia.
Ohio Elks Bring Holiday Cheer to Veterans
We filled Christmas wishes to 72 residents of I North & 1 South Nursing home units at their annual Christmas party which included Family members. A light lunch was served followed, by each Veteran receiving their gift.
Joining us Sunday December 8th at the VAC Christmas Celebration from
Port Clinton Lodge #1718 were Bill Murphy, wife Karen, Secretary Chuck Daft. Lunch was served, followed by bingo.
Elks provided the Music entertainment.
The Veterans are very appreciative for all we do for them.
On Saturday December 14th our First Lady Julia participated in the Wreaths Across America. After the ceremony a wreath laying followed at the OVH cemetery.
