Ronald McDonald House Benefits From Chillicothe Elks

A year and a half collection of beverage tabs totaling over 500 lbs will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Several Veterans organizations, Elks and 4-H Members contributed with Elks member Ralph Roe and Butch Bost, PER leading the effort. A pound of tabs translates to more than 1,250 tabs, do the math.

The Ronald McDonald House is a nonprofit organization that assists Nationwide Children's Hospital and families at other surrounding hospitals. The Ronald McDonald Houses allow families to stay near their children when they are hospitalized with serious illnesses. Megan Brumfield, owner and operator of the local McDonald's, thanked the Elks for their efforts.

Pictured - left to right: Butch Bost, PER, Megan Brumfield, Owner-Operator, Kelly Renner, Manager and Rob Hatfield, Supervisor.

Pictured - left to right: Butch Bost, PER, Megan Brumfield, Owner-Operator, Kelly Renner, Manager and Rob Hatfield, Supervisor. Photo was taken by Elk Member Keith Jon􀁏

Chillicothe Elks Help Local Veterans

The Chillicothe Elks Lodge #62 hosted the South Central Veterans Christmas Celebration for over 200 Veterans on December 20., 2018.

The event was well attended with an abundance of gifts., entertainment and food. The lodge volunteers provided food for our Veterans in attendance. Also in attendance were Elk State Officers and South Central Officers serving food and distributing gifts to our Veterans.

Pictured is Butch Bost, PER presenting a pair of wheel chair gloves to one of the many Veterans in attendance.

Newark Elks #391 Help With Wreaths Across America

The day was a rainy, cold, gloomy Ohio day, but that didn’t stop the members and friends of the Newark Elks from donning their rain gear and smiles to help place wreaths on the veteran’s graves at Cedar Hill Cemetery for the 2018 Wreaths Across America Day.

The Newark Elks Lodge #391 were able to purchase an additional 422 wreaths to add to the others donated for Cedar Hill Cemetery. Elk members also had the honor of placing a couple of the ceremonial wreaths at the Veterans Memorial in the cemetery.

Columbus North Elks Takes Care Of Our Veterans During the Holidays

Columbus North Elks Lodge #2700 launched a new Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant project in 2018, called the “Veterans Holiday Meet and Greet”, held at our VA Outpatient Clinic in December. 

The lodge purchased a variety of items including stuffed toys, daily planners, journals, healthcare items, playing cards, word find books, cards and snacks creating nearly 250 individual bags for the veterans. 

An assortment of holiday cookies and coffee were also offered. 

The veterans chose a bag and cookies to take with them to their appointments or home after their appointments.  Our showing of appreciation for there sacrifices was received with smiles, hugs, thank-yous and tears from the veterans who participated.

Newark Elks Brings Christmas Cheer To Local Families

Newark Elks Lodge #391 partnered with the local Salvation Army adopting five families for Christmas. Members donated over $1,500 in gifts and cash assuring that these families would have a visit from Santa and a delicious Christmas dinner!

Once again, the members of Newark Elks 391 stepped up and helped these families have a little Merrier Christmas.

Fremont Elks Help Local Students Dealing With Trauma

Fremont Elks Lodge #169 was awarded a $2,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant which used to partner with The Link/Interact Club –Fremont Ross High School and Wynn-Reeth MACC to make a difference in the community.

Gathering at the Elks were those who helped create the first ten tie blankets and will be distributed. In the upcoming month the remaining blankets will be made at the Elks.

This project will form partnerships with high school students and adults with disabilities. Together a total of 40 tie blankets will be made to give to students in Fremont City schools when they suffer from any type of trauma.

Each blanket will be put in a cinch drawstring backpack. Blankets are delivered to the two elementary school social workers for Fremont City Schools to give to students when trauma has occurred in his/her life giving them a desire to think positives and have a better view on life with the comfort they will get from the love from the blanket.

The success of this project will be measured by the number of children who receive blankets over the course of this project and personally know that a child’s face has lit up by the kind act of creating a blanket to give a child a sense of hope through rough times he or she may suffer. The Grant also provides lunch for 20 participates.

Alliance Lodge #467 Hosts Hoop Shoot Contest, Announces Winners

Alliance Elks #467 Northeast District Hoop shoot winners 2019

Front row Addison Reicenback, Paityn McCully, Jake Baker, Parker Woods

Back row,  Drew Simmons, Chelsey Evanich, Shaylee Muckleroy 

Chllicothe Elks Host Veterans Christmas Dinner

The Ohio Elks South Central District Lodges all donated funding so that Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 could hold it's annual Veteran's Christmas Dinner, on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

Two hundred fifteen veterans from the Chillicothe VA hospital attended the event. All of the veterans received a meal at the lodge, and they were entertained by the high school Jr. ROTC drill team. Everybody also sang Christmas carols, and then presents were handed out to all of the veterans.

Pictured is Ohio Elks President Nevin Taylor (Marysville #1130) addressing the veterans while organizer and Veterans Committee Chairman Butch Bost (Chillicothe #52) looks on.

Merry Christmas From Van Wert Elks

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks held their annual Christmas Party for the children and grandchildren of Elk members on Saturday, December 15.   The kids were kept well entertained and lunch was provided to all in attendance and the kids were able to enjoy homemade cookies, courtesy of some very special lodge elves.   Santa arrived after lunch and was able to visit with the children and give each child a “treat bag”.

Pictured visiting with Santa is Jack, the grandson of Dave and Patti Keipper

Kent Elks Use Grant to Make Community Safer

Kent Elks Lodge #1377 used a grant from Elks National Foundation to present a check for $2,000 to the Portage county Sheriff's department for their K9 training and child identity safety kits.

From left: Lisa Wadlow, Grants Coordinator, Rick Hanna, Exalted Ruler, Ed Hayes, K9 Supervisor, K9 Glock and lodge officers Matt Wages, Sharon Batsch and John White.

Athens Elks Lodge Helping Veteran Court Program

Athens Elks Lodge #973 presented gift cards to Athens County Veterans Court in the sum of $1,500. The money to purchase the cards was made possible from an Anniversary Grant through Elks National Foundation. These gift cards will be provided to Veterans Court Program participants upon completing each phase of their treatment.

From left to right are Larry Cooper, Rich Russell (both from Athens Elks), Tom Smith and Judge George McCarthy

Wilmington Elks Help Local Law Enforcement

The Wilmington Elks Lodge #797 recently purchased (10) Big Easy Wedge Sticks for the Clinton County Sheriff's Department using an Ohio Elks Association $700 Community Service Grant. These sticks are used to open newer model locked car doors.

Pictured are Exalted Ruler, Dave Appleman, Sergeant Smith of the CCSO, and PER Bill Kassinos.

Dayton Elks Lodge Works Telethon to Raise Money for CP

Dayton Elks Lodge #58 assisted with the United Rehabilitation Services Annual Telethon. This was the 40th Telethon for the Local Cerebral Palsy Unit now called United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton or URS, which covers 10 counties. The Dayton Elks have been a part of every telethon since the beginning and they are the first organization to volunteer to cover the 1st segment of every Telethon.

Starting left to right are Dayton Lodge #58 members Jim Blackshire, Treasurer; Kevin Malloy, Exalted Ruler; Pam Shaw, Secretary and Jeff Shaw, Chairman of the Trustees.

Besides manning the phone bank during the 1st segment, there always is an individual interview where the Ohio Elks is recognized for their generous $20,000 grant to the Unit plus the $800 for camperships. Also is discussed what the Elks does for Cerebral Palsy throughout the State of Ohio.

From left, Mark Allen, WDTN and Host of the Telethon; Mike Iddings, Lodge CP Chairman (representing both the Ohio Elks and the Dayton Elks) and Dennis Grant, URS Executive Director.                                        

Alliance Lodge Fights Hunger This Holiday Season

Alliance Elks Lodge #467 topped last year basket donations. Volunteers filled 300 baskets for 250 needy families. Baskets were filled with enough food for a week and delivered to the families. Some of the bigger families received 2 or 3 baskets. 

Berea Elks Bring Holiday Cheer to VA Hospital

The Berea Elks Lodge #1815 in partnership with Columbia Station VFW Post #9340 delivered special Christmas gifts to veterans at the Louis Stokes VA Hospital at Wade Park in Cleveland. The gifts included sweatpants, sweatshirts, t-shirts, underwear, socks, and personal hygiene products. In all, almost 100 veterans were greeted. The Elks also brought holiday music during the event and a therapy dog. A great time was had by all!

Pictured from left, Lodge Secretary Danielle Mahany, ER Jeff Coyle, member Gary Farkas and Mrs Claus!

Pictured above are Lalene Kay, Member David Kay, and a musical guest

Pictured are Michelle Hill, Linus, and Secretary Danielle Mahany

Salem Elks Hosts Local Hoop Shoot

Salem Elks Lodge #305 held their local Basketball Hoop Shoot contest on Sunday, December 9th at the Community Center Plex.

Those pictured left to right are Douglas Rudibaugh, PER and Chairman; Alaina Johnston 1st in girls 12-13, Macey Troy 1st in girls 10-11, Destany Cunningham runner-up and Alivia Ruth 1st in girls 8-9; Blake Bezon 1st in 8-9 boys; Luke Courtney runner-up and Steven Landfried 1st in the boys 12-13. The winners will continue onto the NE District Hoop Shoot contest on Saturday, January 16th at the Ravenna High School.

Newark Elks Take Aim at Officers for CP

As a Cerebral Palsy fundraiser, Newark Elks Lodge #391 held a Pie-In-the-Face event.  Several Officers and bartenders volunteered to let members "take a sweet shot" at them...for a price!  Laughter, whipped cream, and donations were abundant!

Pictured from left to right are: Esquire Valerie Deedrick, Trustee Dave Underhill, ER John Ridenbaugh, member Mike Firestone and Chaplain/CP Chair Debbie Provasko.

Athens Elks Lodge Delivers Christmas Cheer

Athens Elks Lodge #973 delivered 96 Christmas food baskets to families in need, including presents for their children, on Saturday, Dec 15th. The "food baskets" was enough food to feed a family of four, for two weeks! The cost involved in this annual program is approximately $7,000. 

Pictured is Athens Police Officer Destry Flick, who helped the Athens Elks Lodge #973 deliver the items to families within the city of Athens.

Upper Sandusky Lodge Assists Shop with a Cop Program

Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83 recently assisted the Upper Sandusky Police Department in their annual Shop with a Cop program. The lodge donated $1,000 to help the 24 children chosen to participate be able to purchase hats, coats, boots, and gloves!

Pictured with the USPD representatives is PER Amy Ratliff.

Ashland Elks #1360 Host Foster Kids Christmas Party

The Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 held a Christmas party for the foster kids in Ashland County for the 13th year. In all, 27 foster kids received gifts from Santa. The kids and their families arrived at the Elks for lunch and games until Santa's sleigh arrived and he handed out gifts to the children. 

Photo Santa with his helpers: left to right. Shay and Emma Oxenrider, Shawn Bartly, Santa, Scott and Judy Peters, Tom Masburger, Michele Larue and Mike Fallon.