Lodge #1923 Presents $2,000 to Operation Orphan Wildlife
Cuyahoga Falls Akron Barberton Lodge #1923 recently hosted a special evening dedicated to local wildlife conservation on Friday, November 15th. The Lodge was honored to welcome Fran Kitchen, who has run Operation Orphan Wildlife (OOW) for 62 years. Fran and her team brought several rescued animals and provided an insightful presentation on their efforts to rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned wildlife. Our members showed tremendous support by bringing in donations and participating in a raffle basket fundraiser. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a $2,000 check to Fran Kitchen and OOW. This generous gift was made possible through the Elks National Foundation (ENF) Gratitude Grant. Thank you to all members and guests for making this event a success and helping Lodge #1923 support Operation Orphan Wildlife's crucial mission!
NE District Presents Check from CP Charity Gala
Exalted Ruler Ben Blevins,PER and principal Beth Engle
The NE District Charity Gala raised funds for Cerebral Palsy with funds distributed to 4 facilities. One of those being our very own Robert Bycroft in Lisbon, Ohio. Salem Lodge #305's ER, Ben Blevins presented the check to Beth Engle, the new principal at Robert Bycroft. in the amount of $908.25. She was very appreciative for the school being included. We look forward to working with Principal Engle in the future. Congratulations 🎊 👏 💐
Columbus-Grove City Elks Promote Drug Awareness
Pictured left to right is Trish McClure, Lodge DAP Chairman, Becky Underhill, State DAP Chairman, and Matt Beedy.
You will see Columbus-Grove City Drug Awareness Chairman, Trish McClure at a lot of lodge events in the Grove City area. Just to name a few are car show held in the lodge parking lot and Boo off Broadway.
Elroy is always there with her. Thank you to Trish and whomever is inside the Elroy costume.
Ashland #1360 Rings in Holiday Spirit
Ashland Elks 1360 kicked off the Red Kettle season at Hawkins-Miller Market. Members and Officers had a great time volunteering and practicing the motto “Elks Care - Elks Share”
Gallipolis Elks Help Stock Local Food Pantry
The demand for food supplies from the Gallipolis area food banks increased significantly during the government shutdown. This was particularly true for the Courtside Ministries. Their mission is to provide food staples for families to take home along with providing a hot meal on an as needed basis. Additionally, they have a hot buffet available on Thursdays. Consequently, supplies were getting low and the Gallipolis Elks donated $1000 to help them replenish their stock. Pictured on the right is Lori Hall receiving the donation from PDDGER Rick Borton and Elk volunteer Ollie Paxton-Tipple.
Galion #1191 Donates new clothing to Veterans
Larry Olmutz, Carla Veterans Coordinator
Galion Elks #1191 Veterans Committee Chairman and retired Air Force Master Sergent Larry Olmutz presents Veterans Home Veterans Services Cordinator Carla with new clothes for Veterans month.
Norwalk #730 Donates Thanksgiving Turkeys
Norwalk Elks Lodge #730 donated 37 turkeys to Norwalk Area Food Bank. Grant monies were used to purchase the turkeys from local Schild's IGA grocery store. Cindi Liben, director of NAFB, reports that the center expects to donate more than 150 turkeys throughout the holiday season.
Van Wert 1197 Gives Local Students a Passing Grade
Pictured left to right are: Delana Rank with Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair
Pictured left to right are:Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair with Logan Winke
Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have selected Delana Rank, senior at Lincolnview High School and Logan A. Winke, senior at Vantage Career Center as the recipients of the Student of the Month for October.
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.
Norwalk Elks Promote Drug Awareness
Thank you to these two hard working ladies from the Norwalk Elks Lodge #730 for their dedication to kids!! They not only organized the Norwalk Soccer Shoot, but they also had a luncheon for the Soccer Shoot contestants. At each of the place settings were DAP bookmarks and pencils. Becky and Denise are both on the Youth Activities Committee at their lodge.
Pictured left to right is Becky Parcher Norwalk Elks, Becky Underhill, State DAP Chairman, and Denise Reilly Norwalk Elks.
Newark #391 Promotes Drug Awareness Program
Newark Lodge 391 is committed to serving the community through its dedicated drug awareness program. By partnering with local schools and law enforcement, Newark Lodge 391 strives to create safer, healthier neighborhoods. The lodge regularly organizes events and outreach activities to inform residents and youth about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of prevention. Their efforts include distributing informational materials and encouraging positive lifestyle choices at events such as Rally in the Alley, Red Ribbon Month and Week, Safe Trick or Treat on the Square, Children’s Christmas Party and contests for students 2 nd grade through high school.
Pictured are the Newark Elks #391 Officers, in red coats, and the Ohio South Central District Officers. Not pictured but in attendance is Dave Underhill, Lodge member, district officer and our photographer.
Ashland Elks #1360 Dresses Up for Drug Awareness
Ashland Elks Lodge 1360 participated in the Downtown Costume Capers and passed out 1,280 pieces of candy and distributed 500 Red Ribbons, Bracelets and Red Ribbon pamphlets.
Thank you to DAP chairman Justin Lutz, PER Judi Dickinson and member Andre Chamal and special thank you to Brayden Miller “Elroy” the Elk
Van Wert #1197 Hosts Dinner for Veterans
Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks held a Free Spaghetti Dinner for all the veterans in the Van Wert County area on Thursday, October 23.
A nice group of Veterans enjoyed a free dinner and the chance to catch up with their fellow veterans on this evening.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has a motto “As long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them”. Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to sponsor this free event for our veterans as a way of saying “Thank You” for your service to our country.
Pictured are some of the veterans enjoying their dinner.
Ironton Elks support local community Safe Trick or Treat Night
Dale Tackett, Tammy Cates, Ashley Leach, Cameron Delong, Mason Cates
On October 27th members of the Ironton Elks Lodge #177 took part in the City of Ironton's Safe Trick or Treat at the local Farmers Market. Along with passing out candy to kids, the Ironton Elks also passed out Elks Drug Awareness Program info to the parents and kids, and Red Ribbon Week lollipops.
Newark Lodge 391 Promotes Red Ribbon Week
Newark Elks Lodge 391 is proud to support Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign dedicated to promoting drug awareness and prevention among youth. Through community events, educational programs, and partnerships with local schools, the Lodge encourages young people to make healthy, drug-free choices. By participating in Red Ribbon Week, Newark Elks Lodge 391 continues its mission of strengthening our community and fostering a safe, supportive environment for future generations.
Halloween Bash 2025 at the #305 Raises Money For CP
Salem Lodge #305 Members and guests; Officers and trustees were celebrating Halloween with Patty's pizza, goodies, snacks, music, karaoke and dancing. A Chinese auction and 50/50 raised approx. $500 towards the Lodge's CP Bradley fund. Our ER, Ben Blevins serenaded us and did the 11:00 O'Clock toast! We all stood on our 99year old front steps to... "Howl at the Moon"
Mount Vernon Elks #140 Has Mount Vernon Fire Department at Their Lodge
Front Row: Todd Lishness Trustee, Rose Ross Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Joan Fithian Treasurer, Steve Dick Exalted Ruler, Sandy Dick Esteemed Leading Knight, Heather Petry Member, Dave Priest Jr. Trustee, Assistant Fire Chief Lester, Firefighters/EMT, Back row starting the left is Keith Acker Secretary, Tami Acker Esteemed Loyal Knight, Brandy Calkins Member, Matt McComas Member, and Joel Ross Inner Guard
Mount Vernon Fire Department came to the Mount Vernon Elks #140 to show us the equipment that we were able to help them purchase through the $4,000 Gratitude Grant. Steve Dick, Exalted Ruler, is holding the F.A.S.T. Board and Joan Fithian, Treasurer (right) and Sandy Dick, Esteemed Leading Knight (left) are holding face masks with the name plates on them. Those were the items purchased.
Athens #973 Spend October Helping the Community
The Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $230 for Youth Soccer uniforms for the local
youth soccer program. See Picture
Elks Lodge #973 purchased $2,000 of items including blankets, winter hats and gloves
and personal hygiene items for the Athens County Veterans Stand Down Event. The
money was provided by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant
Program. Over 35 Lodge members volunteered to shop for the items, set up the tables
for the event, pack the bags for the veterans and assisted with walking the veterans
through the event. See Pictures
Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $500 to be a Gold Level Sponsor for the Ohio Pink
Ribbon Fund event held in Athens. The organization provides financial assistance and
emotional support to individuals in the community impacted by breast cancer.
Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $500 to the Ohio University Student Veterans of
America group. This donation will be used for the 10 th annual Heroes Helping Heroes
project hosted by this group. The objective of the project is to provide an enjoyable
holiday to the children of local veterans, disabled or otherwise who have been identified
by the Athens County Veteran’s Service Office as being in need of assistance.
Lodge #1923: Building Grit at the Elks Hoop Shoot
Mary Arndt, Juli Paskay, Mayya Mateen, Russ Baeli, Darlene Pinter, John Pinter
John Pinter, Darlene Pinter, Troy Snyder, Eric Jensen, Justin Miller.
Volunteers from Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Lodge #1923 hosted its annual Hoop Shoot contest on Saturday, October 11th, at The Island Performance Center in Cuyahoga Falls. It was a joy to see the local youth step up to the lines and give it their all! Congratulations to all of the dedicated participants.
Ashland #1360 Bowls and Get Creative to Spread Drug Awareness
Ashland lodge 1360 held a family day bowling on Sunday. Passing out Drug awareness material and coloring books. They enjoyed bowling and pizza.
The lodge also participated in the Trunk or Treat at Dale-Roy services for the Ashland County Dragons special Olympics. Passing out drug awareness coloring books and candy. Also winning an award for most Creative Trunk with the theme from Toy Story.
DAP chairman Justin Lutz and Youth Chairman Samantha Lane
Northeast Ohio Elks District Hosts Successful 4th Annual Rib Cook-Off for Drug Awareness
People in Photo L-R: JJ Moore, Event - Ravenna #1076. Bob Marchi - Gallipolis #107. Keith Denny - Jackson #466. Becky Underhill - Newark #391. Rod Bachtel - Jackson #466. Matt Moore - Ravenna #1076. Eddy Hanna, Jr. - Cuyahoga Falls #1923. Nelson Dray - Gallipolis #107
The Northeast Ohio District of the Ohio Elks Association hosted its 4th Annual Rib-Cook-Off on October 4th, continuing a tradition of community engagement and support for a vital cause. This event once again brought together Elks members, culinary enthusiasts and local residents for a day of delicious food, friendly competition, and impactful fundraising.
Each year, the Rib Cook-Off serves as a cornerstone initiative, dedicated to raising essential funds for the Northeast Ohio District's Drug Awareness Program. The program plays a crucial role in educating youth and communities about the dangers of substance abuse, promoting healthy choices, and offering resources to those in need.
Attendees enjoyed a fantastic array of expertly prepared ribs and other food, with some district Elks showcasing their skills and secret recipes. Judges were on hand to score the teams' ribs on flavor, tenderness and presentation. The event was especially proud to have Ohio Elks State President, Keith Denny, attend and serve as one the esteemed judges this year.
The success of the 4th Annual Rib Cook-Off is a testament to the dedication of the organizers, participants and volunteers. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the event.
The 5th Annual Northeast Ohio Elks Rib Cook-Off will be held on the first Saturday in October 2026 at Cuyahoga Falls Lodge #1923. If you are interested in participating as a cook or have other questions about the event, please contact the Northeast Ohio District Drug Awareness Chairperson: Eddy Hanna, Jr., Cuyahoga Falls Lodge #1923.