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.

Conneaut Elks #256 Donates To Local Charity Groups

Conneaut Elks Lodge #256 held a special grant ceremony, awarding three grants to area organizations totalling $8,500.

The grants were:

1. New Leaf Methodist Church received the Beacon Grant for $3,000. Sally McCrosky accepted the grant for New Leaf, The grant is to be used for "Blessings in a backpack"  which provides 328 elementary school children with weekend bags of food throughout the school year.

2. Good Shepherd Lutheran Churchalso received the Beacon Grant for $3,000. Michelle Logan accepted the grant for Good Shepherd. The grant is to be used for "Fishes and Loaves",  a food pantry providing food for their hot lunch and free lunch programs. 

3. Conneaut Right Track received the Gratitude Grant for $2,500. Joanie Norton accepted the grant for Right Track. Right Track is an after school program for kids in grades 2-5 in our area school district. The funds will be used for equipment to assist in activities as well as food, which gives the students grain, fruit and protein daily.

From left: Rich McKenna (Loyal Knight), Cindy Blank (Secretary), Joanie Norton (representing Right Track), Sally McCrosky (representing New Leaf Methodist Church), Michelle Logan (representing Good Shepherd Lutheran Church), Dave Adams (Trustee), Dan Blank (Exalted Ruler)

Salem Elks #305 Bringing Joy This Holiday Season

Salem Elks Lodge #305 combined an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Beacon Grant & Spotlight Grant totalling $6,000 to purchase Christmas gifts for 40 children. The lodge worked in conjunction with the Salem Salvation Army to receive the information regarding the 23 families. 

In addition, the lodge gave a $100 gift card to each family for what may still be needed.

Pam Gorby, ENF Chairman and her volunteers helped with making the gift purchases at Wal-Mart in a 5 hour shopping spree.  Volunteers were from a local church, Wayne Gorby, Ben-Julie-Owen-Emmerson Blevins, Doug Rudibaugh , Debbie Emelo James Hewitt, Drew Green , Denny Martin, Lynn Phillis & Kerrigan. 

All the gifts were picked up by Captain Amber and Captain Jason Imhoff and 4 of their children Addison, Dominic, Ashley and Jaxson.

Hoping to put a few smiles on their faces. 

Additionally, Salem Elks Lodge #305 ENF used and ENG Gratitude Grant worth $2,500 to donate to the Salem Community Pantry . This will assist them in making additional food purchases for the holidays. Exalted Ruler, Ben Blevins presented the check to Marya Moore, Director of the Salem Community Pantry.

Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 ❤️

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Makes An Impact In Their Community This Holiday Season

Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $1,000 to the Ohio University Student Veterans of America.  This project, Heroes Helping Heroes, has the goal to bring holiday joy to the children of local veterans, particularly those identified by the Athens County Veterans Service Office as being in need of assistance.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 also donated 1,000 to the Athens County First Responders Memorial.  This memorial is a tribute to honor the brave men and women who serve at the first line of defense in emergencies.

Additionally, Athens Elks Lodge #973 prepared a First Responders Luncheon.  Where we honored these first responders from within the City of Athens.  We cooked 10 turkeys, a case of stuffing, 60lb of potatoes, 6 gallons of green beans along with a very nice variety of desserts.  During this project we delivered 45 meals to their stations, had 22 first responders eat at the lodge and another 38 lunches were picked up for their staff to enjoy that they couldn’t get away.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $1,000 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.  This donation will assist in mortgage-free homes to deserving recipients nationwide by Christmas Eve.

Hocking Valley Basketball League was issued a $1,000 donation by Athens Elks Lodge #973 to help out with their continued support in youth sports and much needed equipment.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 held our annual Christmas Baskets project.  We delivered food baskets to 96 Athens County families.  Our Lodge does this to provide food to help our community members at this much-needed time of the year.  These Christmas baskets contain approximately 600 dollars of food staples each as well as presents for over 200 kids in the community. 

Van Wert Elks #1197 Donate Gifts To Angel Tree Project

Pictured are the wrapped presents waiting to be delivered to the party by the committee.

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have again this year adopted children from the Angel Tree Project to help make their Christmas a little brighter.    Tags are placed on the lodge Angel Tree which contains the items needed for the kids.  The members of the Lodge take the tags from the tree, buy and wrap the items and bring them back to the Lodge.   The members of the Christmas Angel Tree Committee then deliver the packages to the location before Christmas.   This has been a project of the Lodge for several years and the lodge members look forward to the Angel Tree being put up in the Lodge.    By participating in this project, the Van Wert Elks are able to show the community that Elks Care – Elks Share.

Ohio Elks Association Donates More Than $27,500 In Hurricane Relief

The Ohio Elks Association, through its lodges and members donated $27,542 to the Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina Elks Associations to aid in relief efforts associated with Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These storms were some of the most destructive on record killing hundreds of people and inflicting billions of dollars in damages. The funds were divided evenly across the three associations.

Many thanks to the following lodges and districts that added to the State Association donations:

Portsmouth #154
East Liverpool #258
Chillicothe #52
Findlay #75
Gallipolis #107
Van Wert #1197
Kenton #157
Northwest District
Marysville #1130
Washington C.H. #129
Upper Sandusky #83
Xenia #668
Jackson#466
Maumee #1850
Galion #1191
Mt Vernon #140

Berea Elks #1815 Brings Christmas To Those Who Need It Most

Berea Elks #1815 held its annual Winterfest at the lodge, providing fun family crafts, holiday cheer, and even a chance to hang out with “The Big Guy” Santa himself.

The following day, the lodge hosted the family of Alia Bailey, their friends, and the local community during the annual Alia Bailey Memorial Holiday Toy Drive. This year well over 1,000 gifts were donated and wrapped at the event with all presents being delivered to children at Metrohealth Hospital.

This annual event honor the memory of Alia Bailey who was tragically killed in a car accident when she only 6 years as a student of Grindstone Elementary in 2017. Alia was taken away from this world far too early, but her legacy lives on and touches hundreds of kids every year.

Lima Elks #54 Recognizes Local Eagle Scout

Lima Elks Lodge #54 recognized Brian Lockhard of BSA Troop #84 during his Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

The award consisted of The American flag and the Eagle Scout Certificate frames for hanging along with the Grand Exalted Rulers' Congratulatory letter, Certificate of Merit and the Elks/Scouting Pin.

For his Eagle Scout project, Brian built benches and erected a flag pole at Safety City. He places plaques on the benches listing the Firefighters who assisted with his project.

Congratulations to Brian on his many achievements. 

Berea Elks #1815 Making a Christmas to Remember for Foster Kids

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 partnered with Cuyahoga County Children & Family Services donating Christmas gifts to 40 kids currently in foster care with the county. They currently have over 2,200 kids in custody of the county so the need is off the charts. We're grateful to have a chance to make a difference for 40 kids this year. Thanks to all the members who shopped and donated gifts. Many thanks to lodge members Hans and Dawn Larsen for putting this program together. The lodge utilized a $4,000 Elks National Foundation (ENF) Gratitude Grant to help cover the costs of the gifts. In all, nearly $5,000 in presents were donated to these families.

From left: PER Richard Threadgill, Kristin Gardner, Outreach Coordinator of Cuyahoga County Division of Children & Family Services PER Jeff Coyle, PER Danielle Mahany