A grant from the Ohio Elks Association is helping make Lebanon a safer place through a new partnership between Lebanon Elks Lodge #422 and the Lebanon Fire Division.

Pictured, left to right, are Ryan Dipzinski, Fire Chief, Lebanon Fire Division; Melanie Rodabaugh, Community Service Chair, Lebanon Elks Lodge #422; Derek Harper, Assistant Fire Chief, Lebanon Fire Division; Debbie Hatcher, Southwest Ohio District Community Service Chair; Chris Hatcher, Ohio Elks Association First Vice President; and his granddaughter, Iris Hatcher.

Using funds provided through the Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant Program, the partners have purchased Stop the Bleed® kits that will be placed throughout the Lebanon community. Many of the kits will be installed in local parks alongside existing Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units, ensuring that critical bleeding-control supplies are readily available when emergencies occur.

The project was developed with a simple but important goal: provide community members with the tools needed to help save lives during the critical moments before first responders arrive. Severe bleeding can become life-threatening within minutes, and immediate intervention can significantly improve outcomes. By placing Stop the Bleed kits in easily accessible public locations, community members will have access to the supplies necessary to control life-threatening bleeding until emergency personnel arrive on scene.

The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Lebanon Elks Lodge #422 and the Lebanon Fire Division to public safety, emergency preparedness, and community service. Through collaborative partnerships such as this, the Elks continue to invest in projects that directly benefit local residents and strengthen the communities they serve.

The Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant made the project possible, demonstrating how local lodges can leverage grant funding to create lasting impacts within their communities. As the kits are installed throughout Lebanon, residents and visitors alike will benefit from increased access to lifesaving resources in public spaces.