Newark Elks Lodge #391, CP Grant Helping Heart of a Warrior
James Hartley, HOAWF Founder; Helen Hall, Loyal Knight/Outgoing CP Chair; Becky Underhill, Leading Knight; “Liza”; Richard Emerson, Lecturing Knight/Incoming CP Chair; Chris Schumaker, ER; and Beth Winegar, HOAWF Community Outreach Coordinator.
On May 6, 2026, Newark Elks Lodge #391, in conjunction with the Ohio Elks Association/Cerebral Palsy Trust, presented a check for $5,000 to the Heart of a Warrior Farm for a new adult changing table. The funding will be used to provide a means for guests, both adult and child, to use the facilities with dignity while they attend lessons and equine therapy sessions. Currently, it takes numerous people to assist the guest, limiting the privacy in the changing room. With the announcement of the new facility’s enhancement, Heart of a Warrior Farm will be able to serve an increased disabled population, as well as first responders and veterans, with fewer physical and adaptive restrictions during the sessions.
Norwalk #730 Retires Flags During Elks National Youth Week
Norwalk Lodge No. 730 partnered with Boy Scouts Troop #208 to perform the ritual ceremony of retiring unserviceable Flags during Elks National Youth Week in early May. This ceremony was held around the backyard fire ring on Norwalk’s lodge property. Many service-worn flags were collected and disposed of properly. Boy Scout volunteers and troop leaders enjoyed a hot dog cookout with Elks Officers after the ceremony.
In group photo (L2R): Front: Boy Scouts Troop #208. Back: Youth Activities Chair Becky Parcher, Chaplain Bill Knadler, PER John Moslener, ER Matt Lydy, BOD Chair Ralph Roesch, Secretary Laura Wheeler
East Liverpool #258 Host Fish & Fun Day
97 Children at Fish & Fun Day 2026
The East Liverpool Elks 258 proudly hosted our annual Fish & Fun Day for area youth at the Elks Lake/Farm on May 17th. Guests enjoyed a picnic-style lunch featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, side dishes, and desserts. Approximately 185 people attended the event, including 97 children. Each child received a fishing rod, tackle, and a commemorative T-shirt.
Conneaut #256 Awards 4 Ed Kalmers Memorial Scholarships
left to right Rich Slocum - Trustee Kylee Sherman Raymie Fill Scott Slocum - Exalted Ruler
Hamilton Spero Cayson Hayes
)n 5/20/26 the Conneaut Ohio Elks Lodge #256 held a scholarship presentation for 4 area high school students.
Each scholarship was for $1,000 towards their future schooling.
The 4 winners of the Ed Kalmers Memorial Scholarship are:
Kylee Sherman -$1,000
Raymie Fill - $1,000
Hamilton Spero - $1,000
Cayson Hayes - $1,000
Van Wert #1197 Hit a Home Run with Baseball Donation
Pictured left to right are Val Mullins, Lodge Youth Activities Chair and Ben Price, Van Wert Youth Baseball President.
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently donated $500.00 to the Van Wert Youth Baseball Association for the 2026 season. The monies will be used to sponsor a team.
With the financial help from the sponsors, youth ages 8 to 12 are able to travel and play teams within a tri-county area. On an average they have 6 teams and over 80 kids who are able to participate in the program.
The Elks are known for their support of youth activities not only within Van Wert County but across the nation as well.
Wooster #1346 Donated $10,000 to Adaptive Sports Ohio
Wooster Elks Lodge No. 1346 was proud to donate $10,000 to Adaptive Sports Ohio to help grow adaptive sports opportunities in Wooster, Ohio.
This support helps make sports more accessible for athletes of all abilities—through equipment, programs, and opportunities to get active, compete, and build community.
Learn more about Adaptive Sports Ohio (and how to get involved): Adaptive Sports Ohio https://adaptivesportsohio.org
Elks Supports Beautification of Gallipolis
Gallipolis Elks 107 donated $1000 from the 2026 Beacon Grant to Gallipolis in Bloom, GIB, to support the beautification of the city of Gallipolis with flowers and plants for the summer and fall.
The money was used to purchase plants, flowers and flower containers to be placed throughout the community and the downtown area. The Elks Lodge additionally donated $8500 from the Charitable Bingo proceeds to help purchase a replacement truck to be used for watering the flowers during the season. Pictured from left to right is Kim Canaday, Elks associate, Diana Parks, GIB Treasurer, Exalted Ruler Beth Stewart, Karen Smith, president of Gallipolis In Bloom, and PER Billy McCulty in the back. The picture is taken at the banner presented to Gallipolis Elks for their continued support to the community of Gallipolis.
Artists’ Open Studio receives $14,000 Grant from Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Trust Fund
Lindsey Soisson Esker, ER Matt Lydy, Ralph Roesch, Bill Knadler, Laura Wheeler, Mel Holida, PER John Moslener, and local artists
Members of Norwalk Elks Lodge No. 730 recently presented a $14,000 grant check to Artists’ Open Studio (AOS). The money, which was procured from the Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Trust Fund, will be used to support technology and accessibility upgrades that will expand creative access for artists with disabilities. AOS plans to install automatic doors for studio and gallery entrances to improve accessibility for individuals who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility supports. These improvements will help AOS reduce physical barriers and increase independence for artists and visiting guests. AOS is a non-profit organization providing local adult artists with disabilities a space to express themselves through art, specifically in painting and hand-built ceramics. Its facility at 32 E. Main Street in Norwalk serves as a gallery, retail space and working art studio.
State President and Officer Get Down and Derby at First Visitation to Newcomerstown #1555
The State Officers made their first visit of the year as they traveled to Newcomerstown #1555 and visited the SE District. An amazing weekend with great food, fun adventures, and Elkdom !
The travelers wore their hats for the lodges Kentucky Derby Party along with visits to Cy Young’s resting place and visited the hometown of Legendary OSU coach Woody Hayes.
State President Pat installed the District Officers and enjoyed a great meeting! Bringing “Balance” to the Ohio Elks!
Ohio Elks Associates Installs Pat McCaffery as President
The 2026-27 State Officers
During the April Convention, the Ohio Elks Association installed it’s new slate of officers for the 2026-27 lodge year.
Read President McCaffrey’s message here
Van Wert #1197 Announces Student of the Year
Pictured left to right are Linda Stanley, Student of the Month Chair, Logan Winke and
John Ream Exalted Ruler
Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has selected Logan
A. Winke, senior at Vantage Career Center as the recipient of the Student of the Year for
Van Wert Lodge.
Logan was selected as the Student of the Month for October. He will graduate this
spring from Paulding High School.
Students are nominated by their high schools to receive the Student of the Month award.
Each Student of the Month receives a monetary donation along with a certificate from the
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 with the possibility of being selected as the Student of the
Year. Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements – Volunteerism,
Character, Leadership, Service, Citizenship and Scholastic.
All of the Student of the Month winners are then judged for their performance and
achievements for selection as the Student of the Year. Amanda received a monetary
donation as well as a certificate. She will now be competing for District Student of the
Year against students from 12 other lodges within the district.
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.
A New Addition to Springfield Elks #51 Lodge
Marie McConnaughey, a talented local artist and proud member of Elks Lodge #51, generously created and donated one of her signature metal sculptures to our Lodge. Crafted from a unique collection of tools and metal pieces, this one-of-a-kind Elk now stands proudly by Hole 1 on our golf course in Springfield. It has quickly become a favorite spot, with members and guests alike stopping to snap a photo beside this remarkable masterpiece.
Van Wert #1197 Announces Essay Winners
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to announce the winners of the 2025-2026 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest. This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What Does Service to Your Country Mean To You?”. The students competed in divisions, by age group.
The local winners, which were forwarded to the District for further judging, were:
(Pictured left to right, front row)
5th Grade – 1st Place – Ellie Adam – Crestview Elementary School
5th Grade – 2nd Place – Kendrix Farris – Lincolnview Elementary School
5th Grade – 3rd Place – Maverick Tice – Crestview Elementary School
6th Grade – 1st Place – Azalea Hammons – Crestview Middle School
6th Grade – 2nd Place – Alirah Ricker – Grover Hill Middle School
6th Grade – 3rd Place – Eastin Brincefield– Crestview Middle School
(Pictured left to right, back row)
7th Grade – 1st Place Sawyer Schlatter – Wayne Trace Middle School
7th Grade – 2nd Place – Isabel Merkle – Crestview Middle School
7th Grade – 3rd Place – Addison Horstman – Lincolnview Middle School
8th Grade - 1st Place – Hazel Smith – Lincolnview Middle School
8th Grade – 2nd Place – MeganParker – Wayne Trace Middle School
8th Grade – 3rd Place – Gage Grubb – Crestview Middle School
Anita Carvajal – Lodge Americanism Committee Chair
Winners in the Northwest District level were Azalea Hammons and Addison Horstman who placed first in their age group; Hazel Smith placed second in her age group and Kendrix Farris, Isable Merkle and Megan Parker placed third in their age group.
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 would like to congratulate all of our winners and we wish to thank all of the students, teachers and schools for their participation in this year’s essay contest.
Anita Carvajal is the lodge chairperson in charge of the Lodge Americanism Committee.
Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton #1923 Receives C.A.R.E. Award
Holly Merkle, Cuyahoga Falls School District Coordinator of Wellness & Success; Troy Jensen, Leading Knight; Sarah Jensen, PER; Mayya Mateen, ER; Dru Fiala, Member
Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Lodge #1923 was recently honored to receive the C.A.R.E. Award from the Cuyahoga Falls School District. The award acknowledges the Lodge's steadfast commitment to helping local students and families. This recognition is the result of a coordinated community effort and the effective use of Elks resources. The Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant provided the essential funding to kickstart these initiatives. Generous donations from lodge members during recent supply drives allowed the grant funding to have an even greater impact. Dedicated time spent by lodge volunteers on supply drive videos and local events was instrumental in the program's success. The lodge is proud to continue its partnership with the school district and to uphold the "Elks Care - Elks Share" tradition within the community. #OhioElks #ElksCareElksShare #CommunityImpact #Lodge1923 #ENF
Coshocton Elks #376 Donate to River View High School
Dave Bush, Brian Crilow, Skylar Simons, Jim Kreis of the Coshocton Elks #376 501C3 committee
Skylar Simons, a senior at River View High School, in Coshocton county Ohio, has undertaken a senior project this school year. She is continuing the running of two Comfort Closets at the high school. As well, she is providing an additional Comfort Closet for grades 7 and 8 on the top floor at the school. Students can take whatever they need from the closets. These comfort closets contain hygiene products for both males and females. This year, Skylar decided to make hygiene bags for both males and females. The bags are cosmetic bags for females and pencil bags for males. They are filled with deodorant, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. The females also have feminine hygiene products and the males have shaving creme and razors. Skylar gave the razors to the school nurse to dispense as requested. With the donation of $1000.00 by the Coshocton Elks #376 501c3 committee, Skylar can restock and make more bags available to students. The donation ensures the Comfort Closets can be stocked for two more years. Skylar is going to attend the University of Akron to pursue a nursing degree upon graduation. Pictured are L to R Dave Bush, Brian Crilow, Skylar Simons, and Jim Kreis of Coshocton Elks #376 501c3 committee
Elyria #465 Awards $7,000 in Scholarships
from left to right are Trenton Popek, Leah DiFranco, Capri Church, Jessica Strauser, Madison Queen and Joey Schill. Not pictured are Austin Wise, Nathan Grieger and Sadie Smith.
Elyria Lodge #465 gave away $7,000 in scholarships to local students at their year end Awards Banquet in March. Scholarships came from Lodge, PER Association, Golf Outing and the Ohio State vs. Michigan game fundraisers (Go Buckeyes!)
Elyria #465 Host Youth Sports Club
Elyria Lodge #465 invited the Elyria Youth Sports Club over a dozen afternoons to their facilities for an afternoon of bowling. 15 to 40 children, ages 6 to 15, used the Elks lanes every Sunday from January through March and enjoyed pizza, hot dogs and sodas while they bowled for three hours as part of Elyria Lodge's Youth Activities and Community Service projects.
State Meeting Pre-Registration Closes Thursday!!!
Last chance to get in at the discounted rate. All others will have to register at the convention.
https://ohioelks.com/spring-convention
Register today!
Grant-tastic Night! Columbus Grove City #37 Dish Out ENF Grants.
The Columbus Grove City Elks Lodge #37 brought the community together on Friday, February 20, 2026, for a special ENF fundraiser. During the event, members proudly awarded several Elks National Foundation grants to organizations making a meaningful impact in Grove City. MASH, a local veterans support group, received a $2,000 Spotlight Grant to further its mission of assisting former service members. The Bed Brigade, known for providing beds and essential furnishings to families in need, was presented with a $4,000 Beacon Grant. In addition, the Grove City Food Pantry was awarded a $3,500 Gratitude Grant to help sustain its efforts in fighting food insecurity.