Van Wert Elks #1197 Help Local Fire Department

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently donated
$750.00 to the Middle Point Fire Department. The monies were used by the
department to purchase a TFT New Force Low Profile Ball Intake Valve.

Pictured, left to right with the new piece of equipment is: Fire Captain Nate Wiechart,
Fire Chief Craig King and Lodge Community Service Grant Chairman Michael C.
Stanley.

The monies are distributed by the Ohio Elks Association in the form of a Community
Service Grant. The Ohio Elks Association receives monies each year from the Elks
National Foundation, a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks. Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by close
to one million Elks and their families and friends from more than 2,000 Elks Lodges
across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

To date, through the Community Service Grants, Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 has distributed
over $33,393.76 back into Van Wert County to assist the city, county and villages.

Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be able to assist the Middle Point Fire Department as
they provide fire protection to the residents of Middle Point and surrounding area.
 

Ohio Elks Association Tour the Tall Ships with Veterans

On Friday, July 13th Ohio Elks Association treated Veterans from Ohio Veterans Home - Sandusky to a day out touring the Tall Ships docked in downtown Sandusky, OH as part of their 200 year birthday celebration.

The sun shone and the cool breeze guiding us through the tour.  A delicious lunch was enjoyed at a nearby restaurant.

It was a perfect day for our heroes.

Pictured are our Veterans and four pirates from one of the tall ships

Upper Sandusky Elks #83 Improves Local Playground

The Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83 recently donated $1,500 to help with the cost of purchasing and installing the new handicap accessible playground equipment that was installed at the South School Playground.

Pictured from left to right are Exalted Ruler Stefeni Wessler, Playground fundraising chairperson Julie Lemire, and Lecturing Knight Dan Wessler.

Kenton Elks Lodge #157 Competes at Grand Lodge

The Kenton Elks Lodge #157 Ritualistic Team competed at the 150th Grand Lodge Convention in San Antonio Texas as Ohio's representing team and they performed incredibly well.  The team scored 96.95, finishing 3rd in the East, just one position away from making the finals.

All Elks in Ohio should be proud of the team's performance!  Let's all congratulate their hard work and efforts!

Pictured above (back row, from left):  Dave Beazley (coach), Ignatius Todd Daquino (leading), Nate Davis (chaplain), Dustin McCullough (loyal), Nevin Taylor (President), Derek Kaufman (lecturing), and John Hines (candidate).  Front row, from left:  Gina Hoelscher (inner guard), Elisa Umbaugh (ER), Michael Sturgeon (esquire), Sue Fox Buroker (coach), and D. Jack Buroker (coach). 

Van Wert Elks #1197 Helps Local 4-H

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently made a donation to the Van Wert County 4-H Council in the amount of $1,500.00.

The monies were distributed as fifteen $100.00 camper scholarships to assist fifteen local 4-H
members to be able to attend the annual 4-H Camp at Camp Palmer, July 5-9.

The funds were made available from an Anniversary Grant the lodge received from the Elks
National Foundation. These grants were made available to all Elks Lodges this year since the
Order of Elks is celebrating its 150 th Anniversary. The Elks National Foundation is a perpetual
trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Contributions to
the Foundation are made each year by close to one million Elks and their families and friends
from more than 2,000 Elks Lodges across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the
Philippines.

Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to assist these young people so they could attend camp this year.

Pictured are some of the local 4-H Camp Counselors with Linda Stanley, Anniversary Grant
Chair.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Helps Local YWCA Summer Food Program

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently donated
$500.00 to the YWCA of Van Wert County. The monies are earmarked towards the
YWCA Summer Food Program. This is the 23 nd year the YWCA has run this important
program. The monies are from a Gratitude Grant the lodge received from the Elks
National Foundation for achieving the required goal of donations at $4.70 per member.

The program includes breakfast and lunch as well as recreational and educational
activities. While during the school year, free and reduced-price breakfast and lunches
through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs provide nutritional
food for area children, the Summer Food Program aims to fill in the gap between the end
of classes and the beginning of the next school year. During the eight weeks of the
program last year the YWCA served over 20,000 meals to 340 children of Van Wert
County. This year the YWCA expects to see 400 participants and serve more than
21,000 meals.

In previous years, the program has been free for all participants. Due to the increasing
operating costs expected, the YWCA is asking for a nominal donation for the recreational
portion per family. Since some families can not afford to make this donation, the monies
donated by Van Wert Lodge will help to feed these children.
Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the YWCA with this important
summer program.

Pictured left to right are Jenna Weigle, Summer Food Program and Mike Stanley, Van Wert Lodge's Elks National Foundation Chairman along with some of the campers.

Ohio Elks Association Publish Reunion Event Schedule

The Ohio Elks Association is proud to present the event schedule for the 89th Fall Reunion.  It is now available for download on the new OEA website, or can be found by clicking on the link below.

Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 Deliver $10K Ohio Elks Association CP Check to Mercy Health Foundation

The Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 presented an Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy check for $10,000 to the Mercy Health Foundation.  Monies from this Grant check are earmarked for the Children's Developmental Center which provide programs and services associated with the rehabilitation of children with special needs that is now under Mercy Health Foundation's Healthcare umbrella.  Pictured below are: left to right  Karen VanDemark, Scott Smith ,Scott Pember (Mercy Foundation President) Barbara Szalay , Nora Schrenkel.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Sponsors Youth Bowling League

The Athens Elks Lodge #973 hosted a summer youth bowling league for the children of Big Brothers/Big Sisters during the month of June. This program was funded by a grant from the Elks National Foundation and gave children an activity to attend during the summer that they may not have otherwise been able to do.

New Lexington Lodge #509 Helps Feed The Hungry in Perry County

Recently, the New Lexington Elks Lodge #509 applied for and received a Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation to assist residents of Perry County. Through a Gratitude Grant award of $2,000, the New Lexington Elk's Lodge #509 and Siemers Distribution Co. Inc, donated 792 lbs. of hamburger and 240 lbs. of hot dogs with a total value of $2209.60 to the Perry County Foodbank.

Pictured on the day of delivery with the Elks are: Phil Wollenberg (PER) (Grant Chairperson), Annie Pickrell (also representing Siemers), Mike Sherlock, Trustee(Pantry volunteer), Carl Trunko, (PER) Exalted Ruler, and Carla Sherlock(Pantry volunteer).

Van Wert Elks #1197 Hold 7th Annual Elks Day at Camp Clay

The kids and adults alike certainly took advantage of the gorgeous day on Tuesday, June
20th . Over 575 kids along with 100 or so parents showed up at the YMCA Camp Clay for the 7th ELKS DAY AT CAMP CLAY.

This free day at Camp Clay was provided to all the youth of the area by Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

The participants enjoyed swimming, the splash pad, wall climbing, paddle boats, kayaking, canoeing, the nature trail and especially the aqua park from 12 noon until 4:00 pm.

The Elks also provided a free lunch from 12:00 noon until 3:00 pm along with an afternoon treat of ice cream for all the kids who attended.

Van Wert Lodge was able to provide this thru both a Promise Grand and a Gratitude Grant they received from the Elks National Foundation

“We were very pleased with the turn out and happy that the kids came out to enjoy the day. This was our seventh year at providing this type of entertainment for the youth and it is growing each year. We have members who look forward to volunteering for this event each year.” stated Mike Stanley, Lodge Chairman for the event.

Van Wert Lodge looks forward to being able to provide another free day at Camp Clay in
2019.

Pictured are some of the kids enjoying the water at the aqua park and getting their free ice
cream in the afternoon.

Fremont Elks Lodge #169 Member Recognized for Flag Service

The Fremont Elks Lodge #169 want to share a recent article published in our local paper.  We are very proud of this dedicated and long time member, Larry Cronin.  Larry is much reserving of this recognition.  View the article here

Photo by Sheri Trusty - Correspondent, Fremont News Messenger

Ashland Elks #1360 to Host 2018 OEA Golf Tournamnet

The 2018 Ohio Elks Association State Golf Tournament will be hosted by Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 September 8th and 9th.  Get full details at ohioelks.com/golf

Jackson Elks Celebrate Flag Day, Honors Veterans and Supports CP with the OEA

Exalted Ruler Rod Bachtel served as master of ceremonies for the Elks Flag day ceremony conducted on June 14th at the Carl Dobbins Fidelity Hall behind the Jackson, Ohio 466 Lodge. 

Jackson council President Eric Brown read a proclamation by Jackson Mayor Randy Heath recognizing the Elks on their commitment to honoring the Nations Flag. 

After the ceremony the lodge honored one of our heroes from World War II, veteran Douglas Cosby.  Mr. Cosby served his country in the European and African campaigns as a member of the United States Army.  He was presented with a shadow box and all of his long overdue medals by Elk member and Navy Reserve Command Master Chief Paul Haller.  He was also honored with a proclamation from Coalton, OH Mayor Kim Milliken recognizing his service during WWII.

The evening service concluded with the presentation to the Jackson County Board of Developmental Disabilities representative Nick Elliot and the Vinton County Board of D.D. Vice President Dave Gill with grant checks from the Ohio Elks State Cerebral Palsy Foundation in the amount of $5,000.00 each.  Sandwiches and refreshments were served to all present after the ceremony.  We as a Nation, thank Mr. Cosby for his valued service.

 Pictured is Mr. Douglas Cosby.

Van Wert Elks Sponsors D.A.R.E. Camp

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks helped sponsor the annual D.A.R.E Camp held June 12, 13 & 14.   Again this year the camp was held at the Goedde Building with the last day held out at Camp Clay.    The kids attending have various activities each day which include swimming at the YMCA and the water fight which concludes the camp on the last day.    Van Wert Lodge, thru a Promise Grant they received from the Elks National Foundation, was able to provide food for the campers.   Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and pop were provided.    On the last day of camp, the campers were all treated to ice cream, again provided by the Elks.

The Promise Grant is provided thru the Elks National Foundation to local lodges that wish to sponsor any type of drug and alcohol free event in the community.  The Elks are proud to be able to assist with this great fun and learning event for the kids.

Pictured are some of the campers enjoying their ice cream with Mike Stanley, Elks National Foundation Chairman.

Lorain Elks Lodge #1310 Host Americanism Essay Winner

The 3rd place Ohio Elks State Americanism winner Shylah Wargo and her Mother Casey Wargo joined the Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 for their Monthly Dinner and was presented her $50 Visa Card for her essay "Why our Veterans are America's Heroes." 

Pictured  from left to right Barbara Szalay,Exalted Ruler, Shylah Wargo recipient,Casey Wargo- mother and Nora Schrenkel- Lodge secretary.

Dayton Elks Host CP Talent Show & Distribute OEA CP Grants

The Ohio Elks Association provided a $20,000 grant and an $800 Campership to United Rehabilitation Services (URS) of Dayton. The large grant is used for therapy services at URS and the Campership grant is for two URS clients to attend a summer camp for disadvantaged individuals. United Rehabilitation Services in Dayton, OH serve over 1,300 clients of which over approximately 33% have Cerebral Palsy.

The original name of the unit was United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Dayton. which the Dayton Elks and/or the Ohio Elks have been involved with in one from or another for over 45 years. The unit through merges with other agencies morphed into the name of United Rehabilitation Services, with Cerebral Palsy still being the largest percentage of the clients.

The videos are from the "Annual Talent Show" where 100 clients and staff gather once a year at the Dayton Elks Lodge for a meal provided by the Dayton Elks.

In turn the clients put on a Talent Show for the Elks. The choir was made up from URS clients and this is only the 2nd time they have performed this song in public. The 1st time the choir sang was at the "URS Volunteer Thank You" luncheon put on by a local bank, to which OEA State President, Nevin Taylor attended back on May 1st at the URS building.

The Dayton Elks have funded a meal every year for URS clients since 1978 from the lodge's local fundraising efforts. Originally the meal was to reward the bowling league from United Cerebral Palsy, but it switched over to a "Talent Show" after the league went defunct approximately 20 years ago.

The other video is to show some of the talent that an individual has even though they have cerebral palsy. Usually, around 20-30 individuals entertain the Elks each year, through songs, poems, and talks.

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 Sponsor Buckeye Girls State

Van Wert Elks Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently donated $275.00 to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178.   The monies will be used to sponsor one girl to Buckeye Girls State this summer.

Buckeye Girls State, which is a vital part of the American Legion Auxiliary’s Americanism Program, is designed to educate Ohio’s young women in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of good citizenship.   The delegates learn more about City, County and State Government in one week than they will learn in an entire semester of high school.   The 2018 session will be held on the campus of the University of Mt. Union, Alliance, Ohio June 10-16.  Over 900 girls from 88 counties will descend upon the campus for a hands-on experience with a working government.  Each girl is assigned a political party, city & county.   The cities are named after famous Ohio women and the counties are named after Past Department Presidents of the Ohio American Legion Auxiliary.

This is the sixteenth year that Van Wert Elks Lodge No. 1197 has participated in this important program.

Pictured, left to right is  Mary Yackey, Lodge Loyal Knight with Rose Myers, Buckeye Girls State Chair and Auxilary President Ruth Shultz.

Berea Elks Honor Local Youth

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks believe that we can build stronger communities by focusing on where our communities begin...our kids.  As anyone know, our children are our future and it is imperative that we provide all the tools, education, and support to help our kids carry our nation forward.

In May, the Berea Elks hosted our annual Youth Appreciation Banquet where we could take some time to recognize the kids that have made great achievements in their young lives while encouraging them to continue reach high while ever practicing the virtues of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity.

This year we were able to honor winners of our Americanism Essay Contest where five of our six winners went on to also win at the district level and one of those five even went on to place 3rd overall in the State of Ohio!  A truly amazing performance by these wonderful students.  Pictured above (from left to right) are Lilly Higgins (8th Grader at Olmsted Falls MS and State Winner), Kelly Strang (7th Grader at Olmsted Falls MS), Elise Grant (8th Grader at Olmsted Falls MS), Breckyn Daniel (6th Grader at Ford Int.), and Elizabeth Calvis (6th Grader at Ford Int.).  These winners were joined by their respective teachers who carry our greatest appreciation for the work they do everyday.

We were also very excited to honor Ryan Castelli, a graduating senior from Avon Lake High School as a recipient of the Most Valuable Student Scholarship provided by the Elks National Foundation.  Ryan will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Elks for the next four years.  Ryan is an Eagle Scout as well and is pursuing a degree in Information Technology.  Ryan is joined in the photo by our lodge’s scholarship chair, Dr. Leonne Hudson.

Finally, for many of us that have been able to get to know Jaiden Caracci, it was truly a special moment to recognize Jaiden at this banquet for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.  Jaiden is simply a fantastic kid that worked hard for many years to achieve this rank which is the pinnacle for any scout.

We were especially pleased to host the families, friends, teachers, and mentors that have guided these wonderful kids through their young lives.

It was pretty clear that the future of our country is in good hands after spending just a few minutes with the young, bright, and energetic kids.  Many thanks to all the chairpersons and volunteers who helped make this a successful event.

Van Wert Lodge Announces MVS Scholarship Winners

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have announced the awarding of $1000 scholarships by the Elks National Foundation to two students, Aaron Stant and Sarah Miller.   The Elks National Foundation offers the “Most Valuable Student” scholarships for high school seniors entering college in the fall.  

Mr. Stant graduated this spring from Delphos Jefferson High School and will be entering The Ohio State University and majoring in Architecture.  During high school Aaron was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Student Council, Junior Optimist, and participated in the School Musical and Quiz Bowl.  He also played on the Golf Team.

Ms. Miller will be graduating this spring from Delphos Jefferson High School and will be entering The Ohio State University majoring in Occupational Therapy.  During high school Sarah was a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, Junior Optimist and Future Business Leaders of America.   In addition she was involved in the school musical, prom committee, teacher aide and Mentors3 program.    Outside of school  she is involved as a Thrift Store volunteer and the Ohio FBLA Central Region as Vice President.  Sarah is a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church where  she is a member of the Altar guild and a Summer Breakfast volunteer.  

Both Aaron and Sarah along with their parents were recognized during the Van Wert Lodge Youth Recognition Breakfast which was held on May 1.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships awarded each year.   Van Wert Lodge is proud to have been a sponsor for both Aaron and Sarah during this competition.