Changes to ENF CIP Programs Announced!

CIP Changes Are Here!

1. Impact Grants will now have a two-step process:

           A. Step One – Lodges will submit a short project proposal to ENF.  Based on that                                    proposal, ENF will select lodges to compete at the second step.

           B. Step Two – Those Lodges invited will submit full applications.

Note: CIP will assist Lodges with improving their initial proposals.

2. Freedom Grants – Freedom Grants will be increased to 300 (from 200) as Elks continue to serve veterans and their families.

3. Anniversary Grants - $1,500 Anniversary Grants will be available again for the 2018-2019 Lodge year.

4. Gratitude Grants – Will now be available to Lodges that meet the GER’s goal by March 31 of the PREVIOUS year.  This means that every qualifying, compliant Lodge can apply for a Gratitude Grant starting the first day grant applications are open.

5. Grant Deadline Shifts – Very Important Information

           A. ALL grant applications will open July 1, 2018 and CLOSE December 31, 2018.

           B. Lodges will have until the end of the Lodge year, March 31, 2019 to use their grant funds.

           C. In 2019-20, grant applications will open April 1, 2019.        

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Contributes to Local Scholarship Program

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently donated $100.00 to the Van Wert Peony Festival Committee.

The monies are to go towards the Peony Festival Scholarship Program.   The Elks, nationally, are only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships that are given out each year.   Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be a contributor each year to this important scholarship program.

Pictured, left to right are:  Kylie Mills, Van Wert Peony Festival Pageant Director and Staci Bell, Lodge Loyal Knight.

Michael Stanley of Van Wert Lodge #1197 Inducted to the Elks Hall of Fame

Van Wert Lodge No 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is proud to announce that their member, Michael C. Stanley was inducted into the Ohio Elks Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, April 28 during their 120th Annual Convention of the Ohio Elks Association.

Mike was nominated for this award by Van Wert Elks Lodge for the countless hours he puts in working at the lodge doing various tasks, chairing numerous committees,  promoting the lodge programs and for the Elk programs he promotes for the youth of the community. 

Other recipients of this award from Van Wert Lodge were William S. Derry in 2000 and W. Eric McCracken in 2015.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Hosts Youth Recognition Breakfast

Van Wert Lodge held their annual Youth Recognition Breakfast at the lodge on Tuesday, May 1.   All the monthly student/volunteer of the month winners were present along with the lodge scholarship winners and the Americanism contest winners.    The student/volunteer of the year is announced at this event.    Named as the Student/Volunteer of the Year was Brett Schumm from Crestview High School.

Pictured standing in the back row, left to right are: Sydni Thatcher, Alexandria Crow, Frankie Carey, Whitney Bowen, Haley Michaud and Emma Verville.   Seated, left to right are: Camryn Nouza, Briana Kesler, Brett Schumm, Brayden Cox, Erin Richardson and Chloe Foltz.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Honors Student/Volunteer of the Year

Congratulations to Brett Schumm, Senior at Crestview High School who was selected as the Student/Volunteer of the Year at the annual Youth Recognition Breakfast.   Pictured are Linda Stanley, Student of the Month Chair and Brett Schumm.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 - Americanism Essay Winners

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to announce the winners of the 2017-2018 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest.    This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “Why Our Veterans Are America’s Heroes”.     The students competed in divisions, by age group.

The local winners, which were forwarded to the District for further judging, were:

Division I, 5th & 6th grades
1st place, Hayden Buuck – Crestview School
2nd place – Luke Stouffer – Wayne Trace/Payne School
3rd place – Kyle Stoller – Wayne Trace/Grover Hill School

Division II, 7th & 8th grades
1st Place – Chloe Beining– Wayne Trace School
2nd Place – Sophia Saylor – Crestview School
3rd Place – Ellie Vining – Crestview School

Ellie Vining placed third in the Northwest District competition.    Luke Stouffer placed first in the Northwest District competition and also placed first in the state competition.

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 years essay contest.

Jill Evans was the lodge chairman in charge of the Lodge Americanism Committee.

Pictured, front row, left to right in Division One are: Hayden Buuck, Luke Stouffer and Kyle Stoller.

Pictured, back row, left to right in Division Two are Chloe Beining, Sophis Saylor and Ellie Vining.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Student Finishes 1st in State Americanism Contest

Congratulations to Luke Stouffer, who placed 2nd in the local Americanism Essay Contest, but also placed 1st both at the district level and at the state competition.    Luke received money from Van Wert Lodge but also won monies at the district and state level.    His essay will forwarded to the national level for judging.    Pictured is Luke with Linda Stanley, District Americanism Committee Chair and PER Al Lautzenheiser, speaker for the Youth Recognition Breakfast.

Gallipolis Lodge #107 raised over $13,700 for ENF

Gallipolis Lodge #107 held its annual ENF fund raiser in conjunction with an Italian Night Party and Dance.  Over 260 people attended the event that included a live and silent auction.  ENF Chairperson, Rick VanGundy, and his crew, were able to rise $13,713 for the Elks National Foundation.

Findlay Elks Lodge #75 Honors Americanism Essay Winners

Findlay Lodge #75 honored six Americanism essayists with framed certificates before a lodge meeting February 8.  Winners were Olivia Bodie, Anna Durliat, Morgan Johnson, Chuck, Ben Hudok and Curtis Ware.  The top six students from Van Buren Middle School, St Michael School, and Liberty-Benton Middle School won out over 164 contestants.

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 Host Heroes Tribute Hunt

The Gallipolis Elks hosted the 4th annual Heroes Tribute Hunt which took place on Saturday, March 24, 2018,  at the Gallipolis Elks Farm and McKeans Pheasant Farm, sponored by the Appalachian Valley Chapter of NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) and the Ohio Dept of Wildlife and the Ohio Division of Natural Resources. The hunt is a guided pheasant hunt for 24 disabled veterans using proven versatile hunting dogs from the chapter. There were also lots of activities for the guests of the veterans to make this a family-friendly fun-filled day. The Gallia County Conservation Club was on hand with the National Archery in the Schools program and the Passport to Fishing program, as well as The Gallia Shooting Aces 4-H club with a sporting clays area and the Gallia Soil and Water with their Furs and Skulls program. The AVC put on a dog demonstration to explain the training and care of versatile hunting dogs. The Heroes Tribute Hunt is intended to honor veterans for their service and sacrifice and to get them out into the outdoor sports including hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. The day ended with dinner, catered by the Emblem Club and a raffle of donated Erwin Cross Knives and other assorted items were given away.

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 Help Improve Student Safety

Gallipolis Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Walt Brown presented a check to Gallipolis City School District Superintendent Craig Wright as part of the Elks efforts to help the school district improve student safety. “The safety of our students and staff members is our primary concern and what our local Elks Lodge does for our local school districts is nothing short of amazing,” stated Superintendent Wright. “Our Elks Lodge has made donations to our school district totaling $1,500 that is being used exclusively to improve safety throughout the district. The district was able to purchase medical kits, door security devices and other security supplies for each school building thanks to the generosity of the Elks and we just cannot thank them enough,” stated Wright. 

Ironton Elks Lodge #177 Partners with City Mission to Help Homeless

Last week the Ironton Elks Lodge 177 donated $1,500 to the Ironton City Mission to assist them in help their mission of serving our community’s needy and homeless population.  

According to Rev. Jeffery Cremeans “we operate a full time Mission to help those who are in need in our community with the motto of “The Door of Hope to the Unfortunate.” Although we are helping people all year long we are best known for the free Thanksgiving Day dinner that is given to hundreds each year and for helping with Christmas food and toys. Every year hundreds of families are given food and over 1,000 children are given toys. This is made possible by the generosity of individuals, churches, schools, and civic groups like the Elks who share our vision of helping others.”

Elks Exalted Ruler Brad Washburn added “one Elks saying is “The Elks Care! The Elks Share” Today we were able to put this into practice. We appreciate their role in helping in our community. We too always look forward to giving back to our community.”

Upper Sandusky Lodge #83 Leads Mid Atlantic Soccer Shoot Team to Frederick, MD

Mid Atlantic Soccer Shoot: At the recent Mid Atlantic Soccer Shoot hosted in Frederick Maryland the lodge was represented by shooters Gabe Randall and Sophie Lucas. With outstanding efforts they both finished first in their age groups to bring home some hardware. The State of Ohio also was awarded the high point trophy as the top scoring team with a total of 290 points, the highest score ever attained at the event! Our own Mark and Amy Ratliff represented the State of Ohio Elks Association  at the event!

Upper Sandusky Lodge #83 Donates Baby Changing Stations

Upper Sandusky Park Donation: With the recent renovations to the (8) area restrooms in the City's parks, BPOE#83 donated $2,000 to place baby changing stations in all the restrooms. City Park Manager Keith Niederkohr is pictured with Jacie Lehman and ER Stefeni Wessler. The city attached little plaques to the front of each unit thanking the Elks for their support!

Columbus - Grove City Lodge donate more than $19,000

BPOE#37 distributed over $19,000.00 to local charities.  Eighteen charities were given donations at the Lodge.  During the presentation, each charity spoke about the work they performed and how the money present would assist them in their mission.  

With our ER Randy Seymour behind #37's banner, others present include representatives from the following:

Aladdin Shrine
Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scout Troop #136
Buckeye Heat Softball
Buddy Ball Grove City
Central Crossing Athletic Boosters
Central Crossing Band boosters
Central crossing Navy Jr. ROTC
Grove City Parks and Rec
Cub Scout Troop #136
Franklin County Vipers Baseball
Grove City Food Pantry
Grove City Band Boosters
Groveport Special Olymics
Honor Flight
Ohio Surge Baseball
St Vincent De Paul
SouthWestern City Schools PT