Cuyahoga Falls #1923 Spreads Holiday Cheer with 145 Meals
All Volunteers for Christmas Dinners
Cheri Cradlebaugh, Greg Arndt, Joe Hayden and Mary Arnd
Christmas is a time for giving, and the members of Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Lodge #1923 were out in full force this year! With the help of a Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation, our team of approximately 25 volunteers worked together to prepare and deliver 145 Christmas dinners to our neighbors in need. A sincere thank you goes out to everyone who volunteered; your hard work made this project a resounding success and highlighted the true meaning of Elkdom in our community.
Northwest Ohio Elks District Hoop Shoot
The Northwest Ohio Elks District Hoop Shoot competition was held on Sunday, January 4, 2026 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
Meredith Mizla – Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718 9/25
10-11 Girls
Lucy Kuhn – Findlay Elks Lodge #75 16/25
12-13 Girls
Stella Sheeley – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 17/25 & 5/5
8-9 Boys
Calvin Homan – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 21/25
10-11 Boys
Brody Howe – Lima Elks Lodge #54 23/25
12-13 Boys
Blake Garrison – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 20/25
The District winners will compete in the State Hoop Shoot competition which will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in Newark, OH.
Join the Elks National Memorial Building Anniversary Ceremony Ticket Lottery!
At the 2026 Elks National Convention, a special ceremony will be held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Elks National Memorial building. Join us on the morning of Saturday, July 4 to celebrate this landmark and everything it means to the Order.
Elks wishing to attend the anniversary ceremony must enter the online-only ticket lottery, available through March 15, 2026.
Important ceremony details to know before you enter the lottery:
One entry per Elk.
Phone entries cannot be accepted.
Selected Elks will be notified via email on March 31, 2026. Notification will be sent to the same email address used to enter the lottery.
Lottery winners will receive two ceremony tickets and bus transportation from Convention hotels to the event.
To purchase, each member must complete the Elks National Convention online pre-registration ($70/member).
This one-hour ceremony will take place outdoors, rain or shine, attendees should expect to be seated in the sun for the duration of the event.
Seating areas will be accessed by stairs, ramps or uneven grass.
Attendees will need their Elks National Convention credentials for entry. Credentials and tickets must be picked up at the McCormick Place - West Building on Friday, July 3.
This once-in-a-lifetime celebration is expected to draw interest from across the country—don't delay your entry. Full details and the lottery link are available at: elks.org/memorial/Anniversary.cfm.
Don't miss your chance to witness history!
Gallipolis Lodge DAP Leaves Nothing on the Table, Literally!
Pictured left to right: DAP State Chairman Becky, Gallipolis Lodge Exalted Ruler Ron Pitchford, lodge member Beth Stewart, Lodge DAP Chairman Walt Brown, and lodge member Tammy Sommer.
Gallipolis Lodge is one of the most active lodges in the state with the DAP committee thanks to Chairman Walt. He has DAP information at all the fairs and festivals and special events in his community and county as well as giving the information to local police and other community/county agencies.
Ashland #1360 Provides Christmas Morning Breakfast to the Community
On Christmas morning, The Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 held its annual Community Christmas Breakfast. 96 full breakfasts with all the fixings we given out thanks to the generosity of the members of the lodge.
Grand Lodge Hotel Reservations Now Live!
Ohio Elks Association Grand Lodge Hotel
Ohio will be housed in the Hyatt Regency McCormich Place.
Room rates $169.00/night plus tax
Self-parking $40.00 per day/Valet $60
Below are links to download the hotel registration form.
DEADLINE TO RESERVE A ROOM IS MAY 22, 2026
Any reservation requests after May 22, 2026 are subject to the full (non-discounted) room rate.
Form must be mailed in
Conneaut #256 Crowns Hoop Shoot Champs
On Sunday 12-14-25, The Conneaut Elks # 256 held the annual Hoop shoot which is open to all boys and girls ages 8-13
The winners are:
Girls ages 8-9
1st place - Abrielle DeGeorge
Boys 8-9 none
Girls 10-11
1st place - Ruby Petarcik
2nd place - Layla Verzella
Boys 10-11
1st place - Carson Lytle
2nd place - Grayson Ratajcuk
Girls 12-13
1st place - Avahley Hicks
2nd place - Tinsley Warber
Boys 12-13
1st place Andrew Eaton
Gallipolis Elks are Foundation of Stadium Project
Gallipolis, Ohio: Athletic Director of Gallipolis City Schools Adam Clark and Superintendent of Gallipolis City Schools Craig Wright accept a Gallipolis Elks donation of $4500 from PER Dan Bowman and Leading Knight Beth Stewart for the Gallia Academy H.S. Stadium Project. A concrete plaque will be dedicated to the Gallipolis Elks for all their donations to the project.
Wooster #1346 Give Close to $100,000 During Their Annual 501c3 Giving Night
On December 4th the Wooster Elks held their annual 501c3 Giving Night. The Wooster Elks 501c3 was able to provide donations to over 30 organizations in Wayne County on this evening. This year the Wooster Elks 501c3 was able to give almost $100K to organizations in Wayne County to help make a difference in our community. Elks Care. Elks Share.
Conneaut #236 Supports Community with $10,500 in ENF Grants
From left to right. Tim Kategianes ( Church of Christ) Linda Fuller (Church of Christ) Lee Fleck (Church of Christ) Minister Tim Kraus (Church of Christ) Karen Burdick (Church of Christ) Dan Blank (exalted Ruler Elks 256) Sally McKroskey ( New Leaf Methodist Church) Diane McKenna (Grant Coordinator Elks 256) Martha Thompson ( Good Shepherd Lutheran Church) Pastor Joshua Krenz (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church) Michelle Logan (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church)
On 12/8/25 the Conneaut Elks # 256 held a Grant presentation to give specific grants to area organizations
Freedom Grant - $1,000 went to Feed Our Vets. Tracy Bidwell was unable to attend the ceremony. The organization asked for money to be applied for personal care items which are often not available from the food bank. The Elks purchased 103 bottles of shampoo, 50 deodorant sticks, 35 bottles of body wash, 160 bars of soap and 75 tubes of toothpaste to be donated to Feed Our Vets,
Spotlight Grant - $2,000 went to the Conneaut Church of Christ for their clothing ministry. Minister Tim Kraus received the grant for the Church of Christ. The ministry provides clothing and baby items to community members free of charge. The money will be used to purchase a storage trailer for off season items.
This year we combined the Beacon Grant and the Gratitude Grant.
Both grants totalled $7,500 split evenly between 2 churches.
$3,750 went to the New Life Methodist Church for Blessings in a Backpack. Sally McKroskey accepted the Grant for the Church. Blessing in a Backpack serves 359 area elementary school children in Ashtabula County. This organization receives no government money and survives on grants, donations and fundraisers. Every weekend during the school year, each child receives a bag containing 2 entrees, 2 cereals and 4 snacks.
$3,750 went to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church's Food Pantry. Michelle Logan accepted the Grant for the Church.Good Shepherd has 3 different programs under the Food Pantry. They offer free lunches to anyone 11 months out of the year. They have a food bank that supplies food items to 170 - 180 families/month. Lastly they have Nicks Closet which supplies cleaning supplies to 20 - 25 families /week.
Van Wert #1197 Recognizes Two Outstanding Students
Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair with Emily Lichtle
Catherine Kramer with Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair
Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have selected Catherine Kramer, senior at Van Wert High School and Emily Lichtle, senior at Crestview High School as the recipients of the Student of the Month for November.
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.
Berea Elks & Berea Police Team Up to Make Kids Safer
pop-a-shot game with kids playing and BW basketball players helping.
Berea Police Officers and Lodge members dressed in referee outfits.
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 partnered with the Berea Police Department for the third year at the Safe Kids Greater Cleveland fundraiser event held at the IX Center in Cleveland. This is the local chapter of Safe Kids Worldwide led by UH Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital that focuses on helping families keep their kids safe through car seat checkups, safety workshops, and sports clinics.
The event features a mocktail contest where local Cleveland area police departments compete for the best mocktail and theme. This year our mocktail was the “Slam Dunk” featuring a creative combination of Coca-Cola, fresh lime juice, and coconut creme with a coconut milk drizzle and toasted coconut topping.
The event was used to promote the Elks National Hoop Shoot contest. The lodge brought a dueling pop-a-shot basketball game and all participants dressed in referee outfits. The game was a huge hit with the kids in attendance. Basketball players from Baldwin Wallace University also helped run the basketball game during the event.
The charity was able to raise more than $10,000 at the event.
Ashland #1360 Sparkles While Raising Drug Awareness
Ashland Elks Lodge 1360 proudly participated in the Ashland Holiday Parade, showcasing its commitment to Elkdom and the Drug Awareness Program (DAP). Lodge members represented the organization with enthusiasm as part of the festive celebration. This year’s parade featured a total of 75 entries, all embracing the theme “Sparkle Ashland,” creating a vibrant and spirited atmosphere for the community.
Berea Elks #1815 Give Hope for the Holidays to 50 Foster Kids
From left: Jeff Coyle (Lodge Secretary), Danielle Mahany (Lodge Treasurer), John Masterson (Lodge Chaplain), Kristin Garner (Cuyahoga County), Richard Threadgill (PER), Hans Larsen (Esteemed Leading Knight), Dawn Larsen (member).
All the donations wrapped up in bags at the lodge before being transported to the county.
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 partnered with Cuyahoga County Department of Children’s Services this holiday season providing toys, clothes, and other gifts to 50 kids currently in foster care. This is the second year the lodge has participated in the “Hope for the Holidays” program with the country who currently have more than 2,200 kids under their custody.
Members donated more than $5,700 worth of gifts with help from a $5,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The expanded grant helped the lodge reach 20% more kids this year over last year’s effort. While we wish we could reach all of them, the lodge and its members are proud to touch at least 50 kids this holiday season.
Ashland #1360 Serves Up Thanksgiving Dinner to the Community for the 25th Year in a Row
On Thursday, the Ashland Elks lodge #1360 served 100 people at the 25th Community Thanksgiving. Open to the everyone, the traditional (and delicious) Thanksgiving meal provides a place to enjoy the holiday with others and full belly for those in need.
Ashland #1360 Members Match Spotlight Grant Money to Bring in $2,000 of Food for the Holiday Season
ER Chad Dickinson, Associated Charities Director Chris Box and ENF Chairman Scott Peters
Through a creative shopping program, the Ashland Elks #1360 lodge brought in $2,000 worth of food for Ashland Associated Charities to provide for their food assistance program. $1,000 was from the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and the rest was donated by members of the lodge.
Lodge #1923 Sets New Record with 150 Thanksgiving Meals for Neighbors in Need
Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Lodge #1923 celebrated the spirit of giving this Thanksgiving by achieving a new lodge record, preparing and serving 150 complete holiday meals to community neighbors. This impactful effort was made possible by the generous support of the Elks National Foundation (ENF). The lodge utilized the funding from the ENF Spotlight Grant to purchase the necessary food and supplies, ensuring every meal was prepared with care and quality. The success of the event was a true demonstration of Elks Care, Elks Share, powered by immense volunteer spirit. A dedicated team of 35 lodge volunteers worked to prepare and package the meals. Lodge #1923 is proud to continue its commitment to community service, strengthening the Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton area through the generosity and mission of the Elks National Foundation.
SHOUT IT FROM THE RAFTERS!!! A big shout-out to our Ohio State Officers!
Pictured left to right: State Secretary/Treasurer Nevin Taylor PSP, 2 nd VP Mark Duckworth, Approving Trustee Rich Threadgill, Secretary of Trustees Lloy Skillicorn, State Drug Awareness Chairman Becky Underhill, Trustee Chairman Chris Hatcher, Sgt-at-Arms Larry Ropp, State Chaplain Rod Bachtel, Tiler Tammy Nixon, 1 st VP Pat McCaffrey, and State President Keith Denny. Not pictured, Inner Guard Bobby Marchi.
These ten dedicated individuals truly deserve a heartfelt thank-you from this state chairman for their ongoing guidance and support. Americans face the war on drugs every single day and with the support of the Ohio Elks Association, lodges across the state are able to “get the word out” educating our young people on the dangers of drugs and empower others as they meet this challenge head on. THANK YOU!!!!
Athens 973 Donates Thousands in November
The Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $500 to the Dawn Mingus Scholarship Fund. It is a fund established in memory of Dawn Mingus-Reynolds, a graduate of Athens High School who became a registered nurse. It provides scholarships to students in Athens County who are pursuing a degree in a state-accredited nursing program.
Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $400 to the Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 to support their annual Veterans Christmas Party.
As a way to say thank you to area First Responders, the Athens Elks Lodge #973 purchased over $1,000 in food to make a Thanksgiving lunch in mid November. The lunches were prepared by volunteers from the lodge that prepared the roasted turkey breast, the stuffing, home made mashed potatoes with gravy, a roll, bottle of water and a piece of pie for dessert. The meals were either delivered, picked up or eaten at the Lodge by 120 First Responders within Athens County.
The Athens Elks Lodge #973 provided $500 to the Southern Ohio Miners Travel Baseball Team, which is a youth travel baseball team with kids from Athens, Vinton, and Jackson counties. It was to sponsor a banner at their field and to help pay for their uniforms.
The Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $300 to the Athens FFA at the Athens High School to help pay for the cost for participants to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
The Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $600 to the Athens Rotary Foundation to supply Christmas Baskets to 20 families in need through their partnership with the Salvation Army.
The Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $500 to the Federal Hocking School Athletics Department to pay for Girls Middle School Basketbal Jerseys.
The Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $250 for the Millfield Park Restoration project.
With help from area veterans, community members in Dover Township are coming together to restore the Millfield Community Park for the area’s children. This donation will go towards equipment for the local children to play on and a place for local community members to meet and gather.
Berea #1815 Purse Bingo Raises Funds for Wounded Heroes
he Berea Elks Lodge #1815 recently held its popular Purse Bingo event, bringing the community together for a night of fun and philanthropy. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and supporters, the event raised an impressive $1,500 for Wounded Heroes, a local veterans charity dedicated to assisting service members who were wounded in action.
Among our fine line-up of models was our own Veterans Chair (and Esteemed Leading Knight) Hans Larsen (in the tuxedo) and Dr. Mitch Rivas (in the hat).