Columbus Grove City Elks #37 Torches Their Mortgage

The Columbus Grove City Elks Lodge #37 held their mortgage burning ceremony and celebration in August, hosting more than 190 people.  This is a great accomplishment for any lodge.

The lodge served pork tenderloin, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and baked beans with dessert provided by ER Randy Seymour's wife along with our 'dance group'. Following the ceremony the loge had an awesome party with The Fire Bird Band.

Congratulations to Columbus Grove City!

New Philadelphia Elks Helps Make Ice Rescues Safer For Local Fire Department

The New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510, Exalted Ruler Jeffrey Warner along with Dave Johnson, PER presented a check to the Mayor and Fire Department of New Philadelphia. The check was for an “Ice Rescue Immersion Suit”. This is an expression of our commitment to the community in which we live and work. The funds were made possible by an Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant.

It's The Little Things That Make A Difference

Ohio Elks Association State President, Nevin Taylor receives a photo plaque from the Iraq Troop who received specialty products for individual soldiers while they serve protecting freedom. 

South Central District Elks member Dave Williams' son and others from the Ohio division were overseas for one year.  President Taylor donated the photo back to Dave to be placed in his home lodge as a reminder of how little things can make a major difference as our soldiers defend freedom.

Larry Still Gets A "Kick Out Of Life"

1st Vice President Mark Ratliff of the Ohio Elks Association presents State Chairman Larry Clemens a ball signed by the State finalists and the adults who worked the Soccer Shoot finals in Coshocton, OH.

Larry has served the state as chairman since the beginning of Soccer as a State Youth Program.  Thank you Larry for all your hard work providing our kids to get a “Kick out of Life”.  If your lodge needs help setting up a shoot just go to the OEA website:  https://ohioelks.com/soccer-shoot/

Ohio Elks Deliver Donations to Veterans at Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky

At the recent Ohio Elks Fall Convention in Columbus numerous Lodges throughout the State graciously donated new underclothing, socks, toiletries etc. to our many Veterans presiding in facilities that Elk representatives are assigned to. These donations will fulfill the wish list and needs of our Veterans.

Elks Across Ohio Raised More Than $23,000 For The State Endowment!

The Ohio Elks Charity Endowment Fundraising Committee held its second fundraiser this past weekend at the fall reunion in Columbus. Once again the generosity of the Elks of OHIO was just fantastic and proved again you are truly the BPOE (best people on earth).

Together in just one evening, we raised $23,320.00 for the future of the OHIO ELKS Endowment. As a Lodge, District and State Association, we all should be very proud.

I must thank everyone that worked so hard to make this event the great success that it was, all of you on the committee know who you are (great job guys), all of you that helped sell door prizes you know who you are (we couldn’t have done it without you) thank you. And a very special thanks to all who bought tickets, came to the raffle, and gave sponsorships to the event the committee thanks you.

Congratulations go out to some of our big winners: Tony Federico, Jim Parks, Todd Hurd, Mike Manfredarici, Ron Adams, Todd Arnold, Zach Spieles, and John Schwartz.  I bet these guys will be back next year.

In closing, just a reminder, the OHIO ELKS CHARITY ENDOWMENT is the future of OHIO ELKS giving just as ENF is the National Organization of giving.

Again, we as Board and Committee welcome and thank for your support.

Lance C. Knight PSP

Ohio Charity Endowment Chairman

Marysville Elks #1130 Help Plain City K9 Training

Marysville Elks Lodge #1130 recently donated $1200 to the Plain City Police department.  The monies were used by the department to purchase a bite suit.  This suit will enable the police department staff to remain save while training their canine officer, Andor.   The money came from a grant secured from the Ohio Elks Association in the form of a Community Service Grant as well as a contribution from the Lodge’s Charitable Fund.

The purpose of the Community Service grant is to aid in “the acquisition of equipment by a municipality, police department, fire department, etc., which they would not otherwise be able to purchase, thus allowing them to do their jobs better.”

To date, through the Community Service Grants, Marysville Lodge #1130 has distributed nearly $7,000 back into Union County to assist various community agencies.

The Elks is a national fraternal order with nearly a million members and a 150-year history.  A network of more than 2,000 lodges all over the country promotes community spirit and the principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity.  The Order donates more than $80 million every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs.

Presenting the bit suit at the Plain City Council Meeting were Marysville Elks Lodge No. 1130 member Fred Kile, Plain City Police Chief Dale McKee, Plain City Officer Sgt. Tharon Prather, and Marysville Elks Lodge No. 1130 Community Service Chairman Kermit Morse, III

Shown demonstrating the bite suit is Plain City Officer Sgt. Tharon Prather

Sandusky County K-9 Unit Made Safer By The Elks!

K-9 Officers Eda & Hayes get safety upgrades thanks to Elks Lodge Donation

Thanks to the Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant and donations by members of Fremont Elks Lodge #169, K-9 Eda & K-9 Hayes are equipped with new bullet –resistant vests.

One of the many goals of the Elks organization is to reach out to our Community and their needs  We are very proud to have done this for the Sandusky County Sheriff Department providing protection for their K-9 Officers.

Pictured from left: Officer Allen Dorsey with Eda, Fremont Elks Exalted Ruler Mike Mowry & Mary Beaston, and Officer George Dorsey with Hayes

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Expands Drug Awareness

Newark Elks Lodge #391 members passed out 200 bags containing drug awareness information to the students of Newark Middle and High Schools during the annual “Rally in the Alley” event.  The Newark Elks have provided uniform polo shirts to at risk kids for the past 4 years and added the drug awareness information this year to continue the war on drugs.

Salem Elks Lodge #305 Works to Increase Drug Awareness

Salem Elks Lodge #305 made up 300 DAP bags for the Family Recovery and Family Services.

The bags were available at their tent during the Columbiana County Fair. Over 24 pieces of information was in each bag.

Pictured is Pam Gorby, Trustee; Kim Chapman,  Lecturing Knight; Wayne Gorby,  ER;  Connie Smith, Leading Knight and not pictured Carolyn Bowser, Tiler; Devon Williamson,  Secretary and Esther Goodchild, member.

Sandusky Elks #285 Helps Local Domestic Violence Shelter

Sandusky Ohio Lodge #285  donated many needed items to the local Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter.  These donations were made possible by Elks National Foundation Beacon and Anniversary Grants.

At Christmas the lodge purchased gifts, toys, clothes and food for two of the most-needy families that recently used the shelter.

Since that time, lodge members have obtained cases of copy paper, ink and toner for the shelter to print their 52-page information booklet they give to all crisis victims, social workers and support personnel.

For the victims the lodge donated 42 sets of women’s clothes, 12 twin bed sheet sets, 16 towel sets, a large amount of household supplies, 18 pairs of children’s tennis shoes for gym class, and many required school supplies for grades K thru 6.

Pictured, from left: Safe Harbor director Linda Mitchell, Beth Wimmer, Hannah
LeBran and Hazel Foley with a very small portion of the latest items donated to
the shelter.

Ohio Elks Major Projects Endowment Fundraiser Flyer Now Available

The Ohio Elks Major Projects Endowment Fund is holding a large fundraiser at the Fall Reunion in Columbus.  The fundraiser features 8 guns to be raffled along with great door prize raffles.  There is something for everyone.

Tickets are only $10 each and all proceeds benefit the endowment.

Download the flyer below and post in your lodge.  See you in Columbus!

Kent Elks Lodge #1377 Delivers $750 Grant to Local Parks & Rec Dept.

Kent Elks Lodge #1377 presented an Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant in the amount of $750 to the City of Kent Department of Parks & Recreation.

This grant will be used by the department to purchase a new portable sound system.

Pictured from left: Lisa Wadlow, PER & Grants coordinator; John Idone, Director, Kent Parks & Recreation;  Rick Hanna, Exalted Ruler.

Kent Elks Lodge #1377 Helps Local Domestic Violence Shelter & Resource Center

Kent Elks Lodge #1377 delivered a monetary donation to Safer Futures to help update some building painting and repairs. This grant was available to Kent Elks through the Elks National Foundation Community Investment Grants program.

Safer Futures is a domestic violence shelter and resource center in Portage County.  It is the only one of its kind in the county.

Pictured from left: Lisa Wadlow, PER; Sharon Batsch, Trustee; Rick Hanna, Exalted Ruler; Vanessa Jackson, Program Director of Safer Futures; Rich Aber, PER; Matt Wages, Officer.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Awards $8,000 in Scholarship to Local High School Seniors

Athens Elks Lodge #973 hosted their annual College Scholarship Awards ceremony honoring eight local high school seniors each with $1,000 scholarships to help further extend their education.

Pictured, from left: Tom Donley, Dlaynne McGuire, Hannah Murphy, Ethan Gates, Addison Bowers, Randall Hixon, Montan Moody and Rich Russell.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Announce $1,000 Ohio Elks Scholarship

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have announced the
awarding of a $1,000 Education Fund Grant by the Ohio Elks Association to Gabe Sinn.

The Education Fund Grants, which are awarded by the Ohio Elks Association, are made
possible by monies provided by the Elks National Foundation. Mr. Sinn graduated this
spring from Wayne Trace High School. He will be attending Northwest State
Community College majoring in Maintenance Technology.

During high school Gabe played Basketball, football and was a member of the FFA.
He is a member of the Farm Bureau and attends the Apostolic Christian Church and is
involved in their youth group.

Gabe is the son of Todd and Janet Sinn.

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 Mr. Sinn during the competition.

Marion Elks Lodge #32 Help Make Local Pool Better For All.

Marion Elks Lodge #32 presented a check for $2,250 to Scott Schertzer, Mayor, City of Marion, for use by the Marion City Lincoln Park Aquatic Center.  These funds were made possible by a $1,500  Elks National Foundation Anniversary Grant;  and a $750 Ohio Elks Association State Community Grant.  The monies will be used to purchase pool furniture and swimming equipment.

Pictured, from left: Willie Troutman, #32 spouse; Scott Schertzer - Mayor, City of Marion; David Feliciano, Trustee #32; Rex Coldwell, Secretary #32, DDGER NCD; Mike Cheney,Director, Marion City Lincoln Park Aquatic Center; Liz Feliciano, Treasurer #32.

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Raises Drug Awareness to Local Students

Drug Awareness Bags for Rally in the Alley

The Newark Elks Lodge #391 put together 200 “Just Say No” bags containing Elks drug awareness pamphlets and “Just Say No” wristbands for the at-risk Newark Middle and High School students. The bags will be given out at the Newark City Schools Rally in the Alley later in July.

Pictured left to right: Steve Deedrick, Loyal Knight; member Kathy Wise; John Ridenbaugh, ER; member Jane McDonald; Trustee Dave Underhill, PER and member Becky Underhill. Also helping but not pictured is Valerie Deedrick, Esquire.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Announces $1,000 Scholarship From the Ohio Elks

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have announced the
awarding of a $1,000 Educational Fund Grant by the Ohio Elks Association to Hailey
Dempsey.

The Educational Fund Grants, which are awarded by the Ohio Elks
Association, are made possible by monies provided by the Elks National Foundation.
Hailey graduated in 2018 from Wayne Trace High School. She will be attending
Rhoades State College this fall majoring in Nursing.

During high school Hailey played softball, golf and was a member of the school choir.
She was also a member of the Health Occupation Students of America
She is a State Tested Nurse’s Aide at Vancrest, Payne and a volunteer at the Paulding and
Van Wert Humane Society. Hailey is a certified life guard at the Paulding Water Park
and a crew member of Van Wert McDonalds. She is a member of the St. Mary of the
Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.

Hailey is the daughter of Dave and Kim Butler.

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 Ms. Dempsey during the competition.

Hillsboro Elks Lodge #361..."More Than A Golf Course"

Hillsboro Elks Lodge #361 was recently featured by the Hillsboro Times-Gazette, highlighting some recent changes and upgrades made to the lodge.  It's a worthy read and a positive story about the resurgence of Elkdom in the local community

The full article can be found here:  https://www.timesgazette.com/news/29226/hillsboro-elks-lodge-more-than-a-golf-course