Elks 1923 2025 Annual Veterans Cornhole Tournament

Elks Lodge 1923 held its annual Veterans Cornhole Tournament Saturday Sept 13, 2025. This is year 4 of this fan favorite event. We are still calculating our numbers, but we typically raise around 3k and we donate 100% of these funds to local Veterans Charities. We had a great day of music, cornhole and Elkdom. We had 13 raffle baskets, a 50/50 and we will give a total number when we have it. We also had two new folks turn in applications that day to join our Lodge after having such a great time for such a great cause.

Wooster #1346 Uses Beacon and Spotlight Grant to help 150 Families

On August 8th, the Wooster Elks proudly teamed up with Wooster City Schools, the Wooster YMCA, the Wayne County Schools Career Center, and People to People Ministries to host an incredible Back to School Bash—made possible through our Beacon and Spotlight Grants.

Thanks to this powerful collaboration, we were able to support over 150 families, ensuring children had the school supplies and fresh haircuts they needed to start the academic year with confidence.

It was a shining example of what can happen when community organizations come together for a shared purpose. Here's to partnerships that make a real difference

Pictured Left to Right: Jody Rives, Brenna Lanneaux, Nikki Fehrenbach, Angie Mullen, Linda Amos (Wooster Elks ER), and Cole Hissong. 

Gallipolis #107 Combine Grants and Lodge Donations to Give $16,500 to Feed Community in Need

PER Dan Bowman, Gallipolis Elks 107 Trustee, presented the $2000 Spotlight Grant to Marlene Stout, Director of the Grace Food Pantry. The monies will be use to process donated beef from the Gallia Co. Jr. Fair along with purchasing non-perishables, cleaning supplies and etc. to be provided to over 60 families and homeless.

Gallipolis Elks PER Dan Bowman presented a Lodge donation of $10,000 along with a check for $4,500 from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Gallia County Snack Pack Program.  The donation was presented to Snack Pack representatives pictured in the 1st row left to right: Pat Dillon, Kay Adkins, Patti Bostic, Nancy Blevins, Susie Bryant and PER Dan Bowman. Second row, left to right: Henny Dillon, Mary Sayer and Carol Norris. The funds are used to purchase nonperishable food snacks for school children of Gallia Co. to take home over the weekend. Currently, the Gallia Co. Snack Pack is delivering over 600 snack packs per month to local schools for distribution to children that are in need.

Pat Dillon, Kay Adkins, Patti Bostic, Nancy Blevins, Susie Bryant and PER Dan Bowman. Second row, left to right: Henny Dillon, Mary Sayer and Carol Norris.

Pictured from left to right is Tiler Fred Bryant, Marlene Stout and PER Dan Bowman.

Columbus Grove City #37 Utilize Freedom Grant to Help Veterans

Friday August 15, 2025 The Columbus Grove City Elks Lodge #37 had the honor of presenting a $1,000 Freedom Grant to the MASH pantry. The MASH pantry plants and tends gardens and passes out food to our veterans and their families in the Grove City community.

Pictured: Mira Cremeans, ENF co-chair and Vicki Flannigan MASH pantry.

Kenton #157 Utilizes the Gratitude Grant for Two Community Needs

Kenton (Ohio) Lodge #157 used the majority of a $4500 Gratitude Grant to provide 35, needy area 4H members with $100 each to assist with their 4H camp fees. Following the camp session, members of the lodge provided a cookies-and-punch reception at the lodge to the recipients and their families, during which the campers were encouraged to share their favorite experiences during the weeklong event.

Also, Kenton Lodge used the balance of its Gratitude Grant to provide $1000.00 worth of food and home products to the local “Angels for the Elderly” agency, which assists senior citizens in the community in experiencing hunger and home-hygiene issues. Over 120 boxes of food and home items are distributed monthly by the agency.

Pictured at the Angels for the Elderly storage building are, left to right, Vicki Miller, lodge member and volunteer; Mary Roby, agency director; Dorothy Kissling, agency volunteer; and Julie Crowe, Lodge PER and Grant administrator.

Kenton #157 Donates $2,000 for S.O.U.P.

The Kenton Elks recently donated $2000.00 to the S.O.U.P. (Some Of Us People) of Hardin County to be used toward food supplies and rent. The funds come from a “Spotlight On Service” grant provided by the Elks National Foundation.

Pictured from left to right, front row, are: Julie Crowe, Elks Trustee; Kathy Hilty, S.O.U.P. Director; and Elks member, Vicki Miller; in the second row are S.O.U.P. Volunteers Joan White, Pam Miller, Martha Klingler, and Robynn McCune (also an Elks member).

Lime #54 Improve Resident Safety Through Ohio Community Service Grant

On Thursday, September 4, 2025, the Lima Elks Lodge #54 presented the Ottawa Volunteer Fire Department Association

with funding totaling $1,439.95 for the purchase of Emergency Identification material.

These Identification Tags are used to assist Law Enforcement and First Responders in identifying individuals of all ages

during emergency situations such as automobile accidents. These funds were made possible from the Ohio Elks

Association and the Lima Fifty-Four Athletic and Scholastic fund.

This donation is an expression of the commitment by the Lima Elks Lodge #54 to serve local communities in Allen County,

Putnam County and eastern Auglaize County.

For more information about the Elks, please logon to elks.org to learn of the many programs available to youth and veterans

in our communities.

Salem Elks #305 Equip Local Fire Department through Ohio Elks Community Service Grant

The $1000 Community Service Grant through the Ohio Elks Association was presented to the North Jackson Township Fire Department, today. This grant was used to purchase attachments for cutting the windshield off of a vehicle, when rescuing a motorist involved in an accident. Prior to this purchase, the Fire fighters had to hand saw thru the metal. See 2nd image, comparing the 2 pieces of equipment. A shout out to Jon Felice, State CSG Chairman for directing their inquiry to our Salem Elks Lodge #305 .

Pictured are Captain Anthiny Jones, Kimberly Chapman , PER/CSG Chairman and Fire fighter Ricky Anstine.

The Gallipolis Elks #107 donates $17,500 to Hannan Jr./Sr. High School Band

The Hannan Jr./Sr. High School Band, from Mason County, West Virginia, was selected as the official representatives of West Virginia for the 80 th annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii on December 7, 2025. Hannan JSHS is a small school with about 230 students in grades 7-12, so it was quite a honor to be selected to represent West Virginia in a parade honoring veterans and their families. The total cost of the trip is estimated to be $3,500 per student and the Gallipolis Elks gladly donated $17,500 to fund 5 of the band members to attend this memorial event.

Picture caption: From left, PDDGER Rick Borton, PER Mike Null, Hannan Principle J.R. Carlisle and DDGER Bob Marchi.

Jackson #466 Awards Spotlight Grant to Jackson Middle School Food Pantry

The Jackson Elks Lodge# 466 Awarded The $2000 Spotlight Grant to The Jackson Middle School for the school’s food pantry. Accepting The Spotlight Grant is Organizer of the program PER Craig Byler of Jackson Elks Lodge# 466. Also pictured are Ohio Elks Association President Keith Denny and First Lady Lynn presenting the check.     

Galion #1191 Donates much needed supplies for veterans

Galion Elks #1191 Exalted Ruler Lloy Skillicorn delivers donations of clothing, personal hygiene items, Lincoln logs, Legos and misc. other items to Carla, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, Ohio. Galion Elks have made the Veterans Home donations on an annual basis along with sending monthly birthday cards to the residents. 

AS LONG AS THERE ARE VETERANS - THE ELKS WILL NEVER FORGET THEM! 

Ashland #1360 Goes Back to School with DAP

Ashland Elks 1360 Drug Awareness chairman Justin Lutz and PER Judi Dickinson passing out 315 bags of  drug awareness material to the 7th and 8th graders at the Ashland Middle School open house on April 20th.

Athens #973 Donates Thousands in August

Athens Rotary Foundation $700

Athens Elks #973 donated $700 to the 29th Annual Rotary Golf Tournament in Athens. This supports the Athens Rotary Foundation which supports projects within the community, including an Accessible Playground at the City’s south side park, the Alexande Inclusive playground, the Habitat for Humanity Playhouse, and the Strouds Run Accessible beach path.

Athens High School Volleyball $500 (see pic)

Athens Elks #973 donated $500 to be a Bulldog Sponsor for the Athens Volleyball team for the upcoming school year. The donation will help with the cost of essential equipment and software for films. The Girls Athens Volleyball team is a high school volleyball team located at Athens High School.

Albany Ohio car show trophies $50

Athens Elks #973 donated $50 to the Albany, Ohio Alexander Hall of Fame Car Show for trophies for the annual event held September 28th.

Albany, Ohio community BBQ gathering $100

Athens Elks #973 donated $100 to the Living Water Worship Center for the Albany Community Hog Roast. This event was intended to bring community together for a time of fellowship and fun.

Athens County Fair Pig purchase $2,500 (see pic)

The Athens Elks Lodge #973 purchased a pig from a local youth, Jasmine McWilliams 4-H member for $2,500 from the Athens County Fair Livestock Sale. The proceeds go directly to the youth that raised the pig and support them in their learning endeavors of raising an animal.

SEOYM Backpack project $1,000 (see pic)

The Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $1,000 for backpacks and school supplies for the Southeast Ohio Youth Mentoring Program, located in Athens. Many Elks members (see photo of Athens Elk members) came out to help with packing the backpacks for the program. The program offers one-to-one mentoring by pairing the at-risk youth between the ages of 6-18 with volunteers. They offer support such as the new backpack for the school year to help the youth as well.

A 13-Year-Old’s Remarkable Perspective on Patriotism

Liam Kuzmickas’ award-winning essay tugs at the heartstrings Mrs. Kennedy handed out the class assignment, as she had for the last twelve years, to her seventh grade Social Studies classes. Write a short essay on the subject of the Ohio Elks Association’s annual “Americanism” question. This year the topic was “What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?” One of her students, Liam Kuzmicas, a shy soft-spoken seventh grader at Olmsted Falls Middle School, viewed it as another normal assignment.

At first. This assignment was different. It came with the potential of a different kind of extra credit. The essays are graded as an assignment and then submitted to the local Elks Lodge for judging, and that’s an extra incentive for the students. “When I tell them the winners and their family get invited to a special dinner where they are recognized with a certificate and even money, the kids think that’s so cool and they get kind of pumped up for it,” Mrs. Kennedy says.

Liam is the kind of motivated kid who strives to do the best at whatever he does―bowling, golfing, playing the saxophone―and especially academics. His teacher considers him one of the smartest kids she’s ever had. To Liam, this project was an opportunity to put into words what patriotism really meant to him deep down inside. It wasn’t a subject he and his peers discussed much, but it was the kind of topic his family openly explored at the dinner table. And he tackled it with his usual gusto. He did some deep thinking and then sat down and started writing. After about four hours of organizing and fine tuning his thoughts, he had produced a bold yet brief essay that shared a rich perspective of patriotism that related the many aspects of freedom with a clear focus on a better future for us all. A concise recitation on patriotism far beyond his years. And a composition that will touch every American who reads it.

What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?

To me, patriotism is not defined by flags or anthems, but by the daily actions that reflect the values our country was built upon. It is a quiet, enduring commitment to the principles of freedom, justice, and equality, and a responsibility to ensure these ideals are not just preserved but strengthened for future generations.

True patriotism is rooted in a love for the country, not in blind loyalty to its flaws or mistakes, but in the belief that a nation can always become better. It’s recognizing the struggles of the past while working to create a more just and inclusive society. Patriotism means having the courage to challenge injustice, the wisdom to listen to those whose voices have been silenced, and the humility to admit that our nation’s journey is ongoing.

At its heart, patriotism is a shared bond that transcends divisions. It means finding unity in our diversity, celebrating our differences while remembering that we are all part of a larger story. It is in the quiet acts of kindness, the vote cast in a democracy, the voices raised in protest for a better future―it’s in standing up for the dignity of every person, regardless of background or belief.

Patriotism is not a passive feeling, it is an active force. It’s about showing up, speaking up, and giving back, no matter the challenges. To love one’s county is to care enough to see it improve, to preserve its values while ensuring they live up to their fullest promise. This is the kind of patriotism I believe in: not just a love for what is, but a commitment to what could be.

Liam Kuzmickas – Grade 7

Olmsted Falls, OH

Sponsored by Berea Elks Lodge #1815

Where did his prose come from? Liam says it starts with his close family, especially his parents. He has four brothers, two older (Grayson and Andrew), one younger (Oliver), and an extroverted twin brother, Elliot. His dad, Paul is an administrator at Cleveland Clinic, and his mom, Jen, is a fifth-grade teacher. She says, “We have a lot of discussions about what’s going on in the world, and our boys have four unique personalities and often points of view. We try to stay open-minded, answer the boys’

questions, and just talk about the differences and similarities, and try and find commonality. Liam has a kind heart, and he wants everyone to get along, and I think that allows him to see the true meaning instead of just the rough sides that everyone goes through. I think that’s where his essay came from.”

Liam’s teacher, Mrs. Kennedy, wasn’t surprised when Liam won the essay contest. “He’s very assertive. He advocates for himself. He asks questions all the time just to make sure he knows what he’s doing. He’s super motivated and always wants to do well and gain more knowledge. He started off the year very shy and quiet, but his sense of humor blossomed, and he came out of his shell and made a lot of friends.” His mother added, “ Liam is very empathetic, and his friends come to him when they have problems. He just loves helping people.”

His local Elks Lodge held a special recognition dinner for all the essay contest winners in the area. Liam and his parents were treated to dinner, and then after a short ceremony Liam was presented with his first-place certificate and a $150 prize. That kind of attention was a little embarrassing for Liam, but he suffered through it with a shysmile. He still hasn’t spent the money. Maybe it will go into his college fund.

Perhaps Mrs. Kennedy said it best; “He’s a pretty amazing kid.”

PHOTO: L to R; Keith Denny, President, Ohio Elks Association; Laura Kennedy, Liam’s teacher; Paul Kuzmickas; Liam Kuzmickas; Jen Kuzmickas; Bryan Klatt, Grand Exalted Ruler, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

ABOUT THE OHIO ELKS ASSOCAITION

The Ohio Elks Association (OEA) is a state association of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) of the United States of America. It comprises 75 local Elks Lodges representing over 35,000 like-minded Ohioans who believe we can build stronger communities through charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity. The OEA sponsors several National BPOE programs, such as the Americanism essay contest, as well as many State programs that promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of our children, veterans, communities, and members. The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity.

Media Contact:

Brad Smith

Ohio Elks Association Public Relations Chairperson

brad@b2bsmithgroup.com 740-244-7445

Ashland #1360 Uses the Gratitude Grant to Help No Pawz Left Behind

No Pawz Left Behind director Michelle Sviatko received a check from ER Chad Dickinson for $1360.00 for medical expenses at their annual golf outing. This was made possible through a Gratitude Grant.

Hamilton Elks #93 Awards 2 Metals of Public Service

The Hamilton Elks Lodge #93 on August 12th, 2025 @ their board meeting presented two Metal of Public Service with great honor.

1st Metal presentation was to Nancy Lisec, Manager of the Children Service in Butler County. Nancy and her department have participated in the following services for our Butler County Residents. Domestic Violence Coalition Casa/Parachute Advisory Council Butler County Children & Family First Council Foster Parent Advisory Group. Butler County START program is being celebrated as the 2nd Ohio County to achieve certification. The Team is implementing evidence-based models to fidelity and achieving positive outcomes for families affected by co-occurring child maltreatment and parental substance use disorders. There work is year-round and done with expert dedication.

2nd Metal was presented to Kevin Kurpieski, Manager of the Adult Protective Services at Job & Family Services. The Adult Protective Services is like Child Protective Services, but the focus is on the age of 60 and older residents. The clients they service are at risk of abuse, physical, emotional, and sexual. Neglect of our seniors, both financial exploitation and self-neglect, are issues.  The Adult Protective Services also an advocate for the Veterans to help them navigate the systems like, VA homeless outreach, medical care at the V.A. Medical Center in Cincinnati. In addition, to fiduciary support if the veteran is having difficulty managing their finances. Many of the senior clients make less than $1,000 a month, that is why Impact Grant the Hamilton Elk Lodge received this year has helped our most vulnerable older adults in our Butler County area.  The Impact Grant has made a significant impact on many of our older seniors in our Butler County Community for the last two years.  Kevin Kurpieski has played an important role in the last two year by making all the deliveries to all the seniors involved in getting aid of our food boxes.

Hamilton Elks Lodge #93 is proud to be in a partnership with of these two departments at Job & Family Services in Butler County.

1st Picture: from left to right.

Kevin Kurpieski, Manager of the Adult Protective Services at Job & Family Services of Butler County. Our Exalted Ruler -Jared Wolever of the Hamilton Elks Lodge #93.

2nd Picture: from left to right.

 Nancy Lisec, Manager of Children's Services at Job & Family Services of Butler County.  Our Exalter Ruler – Jared Wolever of the Hamilton Elks Lodge #93.

Back to School with Berea #1815

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 donated 130 backpacks stuffed with every school supply a 5th grader attend Berea Midpark Middle School (BMMS) needs for the upcoming school year.  Lodge members donated backpacks and helped put them together using an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Beacon & Spotlight Grant.  More than $6,000 worth of backpacks and supplies were delivered to the teachers of BMMS.  

Elroy and the Berea Police Department Team Up for National Night Out with Berea #1815 and Community

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 partnered with Berea Police for the "National Night Out”.  This annual event is part of a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.  Residents are able to connect with law enforcement in a safe and positive environment.  

The lodge brought the Northeast District Drug Awareness Program (DAP) trailer, handing out candy and information to all who were there.  Even Elroy the Elk made a visit and partied all night with the kids!   Several hundred kids turned out helping to establish positive relationships with Berea’s best.

Chillicothe #52 Gears Up for Back to School!

Chillicothe, OH Elks Lodge #52 funded a bookbag project with a $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Two hundred eighty eight bookbags were purchased. The bookbags were filled with elementary school supplies and distributed to needy children throughout Ross County. Each bookbag contained 3 spiral notebooks, 4 folders, ruler, 24 pk crayons, notecards, dry erase markers, 10 pk pencils, 10 pk colored markers, 3 pk highlighters, pencil sharpener, big pink eraser, 3 pk glue sticks, scissors, sticky notes and a pencil pouch. A huge thank you to the following Elk members and family who helped fill and distribute the backpacks: Beth Montgomery, Ann Newton, Joy Carver, Gayle Mahaffey, JoAnn Brown, Kathy Park, Selen Kimsey, Jane Osborne and Laura Davis.

Pictured, left to right: PER/Treasurer Ann Newton, Jane Osborne, JoAnn Brown, Secretary Joy Carver, Selena Kimsey, Laura Davis and Gayle Mahaffey. Missing: Beth Montgomery and Kathy Park

Ashland #1360 Deliver on Meals for the Community Through the Gratitude Grant

Ashland Elks ER Chad Dickinson presented a check for $1,360 to the Ashland County Council on Aging to fund their Home Delivery Meal Program, which aims to provide hot meals and social interactions for home bound seniors in the community.

Pictured: Director Sandy Enderby, ER Dickinson and Meal Program Director Gina Thomas