Ohio Elks Treat Veterans To Bingo!

On July 4th the VAC treated some 75  Veterans to their favorite pass time BINGO winning cash prizes . Completing their afternoon each Veteran received brand new Bingo cards compliments of the Ohio Elks. The Veterans say “Thank You Elks” for the gift

Athens Elks Lodge #973 host Community Family Fun Day at Local Pool

On Wednesday, July 17th the Athens Elks Lodge #973 hosted it's 5th annual Community Family Fun Day at the Athens City swimming pool. This was made possible with an Elks National Foundation promise grant. Over 200 children and parents attended the event, in spite of it raining all day.  Last year the attendance was over 900.

The Elks Lodge provided free swimming, food and soft drinks for all those attending.  A Drug Awareness booth was set up where parents and children took home coloring books and materials,  as well as cool DAP sunglasses and backpacks!

Pictured are: Elks volunteers Pat Morris, Roger Springer, and City of Athens recreational Asst. Director Andrew Chicki

Fall Reunion Schedule Released - Online Registration Closes in 15 Days!

The Ohio Elks Association has released the tentative schedule for the 90th Fall Reunion. It can be downloaded from the OEA website by click the link below.

For those who have not yet registered for the Fall Reunion, online registration is still available until July 31st. Simply click on the link below. After July 31st, registration can only take place onsite.

Hillsboro Elks Help Local Seniors "Shape Up"

Hillsboro Elks Lodge #361 used a $750 Community Service Grant from the Ohio Elks Association to add to the exercise equipment at the Highland County Senior Center.  The equipment included elliptical bikes pictured here.

From left: Sara Burnett, Juanita Kelley, Dan Pearce, Ruth Crabtree and Sue Thornhill.

Newark Elks #391 Present $10,000 CP Grant to Local Disabilities Center.

Newark Elks Lodge #391 applied for and was awarded a $10,000 Cerebral Palsy grant. The grant was presented to The Licking County Center for Disabilities for use in serving their clients including those with CP..

Monies were split between new computers to help aid their clients with specific adapters, ie: computerized pens, earphones and accessories and for new tires and maintenance on the facility transport vehicles.

Back row left – 3 staff members, Kelly adult learner, 1 transport driver and Paula staff member. Back row right – Kennedy, Janet & Donald adult learners, PER John Ridenbaugh. Front row left to right – Lecturing Knight Valerie Deedrick, CP Chairman Debbie Probasco, Mark & Natalie adult learners.

Circleville Elks Lodge #77 Support Foundations4Youth

Circleville Elks Lodge #77 recently donated $1,000 to Foundations4Youth in support of the Tuesday night youth center. Foundations4Youth operates a drop-in center in Circleville for local youth where kids can eat dinner and enjoy recreation time with their friends in a safe environment.

Elks House Committee Chairman Kevin Horstman (back center) presented the donation to Circleville Police Officer David McIntyre (back left) on a night when about 100 kids were enjoying the center. The lodge raised the money by holding a raffle earlier in the year.

Jackson Elks #466 Helps Local Police Secure a K-9 Deputy

Jackson Elks Lodge #466 recently donated to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office a check in the amount of $1,500 for the purpose of helping to defray the cost of purchasing a new canine deputy named Hershey.  This donation was made possible by an Elks National Foundation Anniversary Grant. 

Pictured are Jackson Lodge Exalted Ruler Dallas Lloyd, Secretary Don Hill, Canine Deputy Hershey, Lodge Trustee and former Exalted Ruler Rod Bachtel and Ohio Elks Association 2nd Vice President and Lodge Trustee Keith Denny.

Register now for Fall Reunion!

Kenton Elks Lodge #157 Wins 2019 National Ritual Contest!

Ohio has had an impressive run at this year’s Grand Lodge National Convention in St. Louis, MO. Ohio dominated the National Hoop Shoot Finals this year and also had a $50,000 Most Valuable Student Scholarship winner.

The convention was capped off with Ohio winning the National Ritual Contest finishing off an amazing week for the Buckeye State! A huge congratulations to Kenton Elks Lodge #157 for winning the National Ritual Contest and bringing the championship back home to Ohio!

Kenton had several individual champions and top point scoring awards as well. We’ll be sure to post the final details shortly. Until then, be sure to congratulate Kenton for an amazing job!

The Kenton Elks Lodge #157 National Champion Ritual Team and their coaches

Online Registration for Fall Reunion is Now Open!

Registration for the 90th Annual Ohio Elks Association Fall Reunion is now open! Members and guests can register by mail or online. Pre-registration is only $12 ($15 to register onsite).

Fun night will feature the band “Shifferly Road” and is just $25.

Hotel room reservations may also be made by visiting the same website above. Registration closes July 31st.

Athens Elks #973 Helps Athens With Graffiti Cleanup

Athens Elks Lodge #973 received an Ohio Elks Association grant to purchase a power washer for the city of Athens, specifically to remove graffiti from around the city. In a college town (home of Ohio University) the power washer is used quite often.

Pictured: Student volunteers Hannah Williams and Clayton Williams

Pictured are: Athens Elks member Dave Williams and City of Athens Code Enforcement Officer George Nowicki

Pictured: Elks member Dave Williams using the power washer to remove the graffiti

Ohio Elks Renovate Patio at Veterans Home in Sandusky, Ohio

The Veterans of the 1 North Memory care unit at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, Ohio will now be able to enjoy the new outdoor patio area recently remodeled with money raised by the Ohio Elks and the VAC. The renovation includes new fencing, additional concrete and walkways, benches, flower beds, and repairs to the gazebo. This area gives the residents of 1 North a safe place to spend time outside.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on June 9, 2019.  Among those attending were Veterans from 1 North, Elks Past Grand Exalted Ruler Jim Nichelson, Ohio Elks State President Mark Ratliff, OVH administration and staff, many Elks from around Ohio and representatives of the VAC.

Ohio Elks Veteran representative Mary Beaston would like to thank all of the Elks lodges , the Elks State association, and the VAC for their donations to this project. and a special thank you to all the people at OVH for their help and support to complete this renovation.

Ohio’s Elks Participate in Baby Shower for Women Veterans

Pregnant women and babies everywhere!

The South Central Elks, along with the Blue Star Mothers and the American Legion Auxiliary arrived at a quiet Chalmers Wylie Care Center on Saturday, June 22nd to get ready for a baby shower for women veterans.

The ladies arranged pink and blue around the room, three tables of gifts, provided goodies to eat, and a playroom equipped with toys and books and a therapy dog for big brothers and sisters to play with while mom’s-to-be enjoyed the afternoon.

The typical games were played and every vet got the opportunity to tell us a little about herself and where she had served.

The gifts and supplies where purchased by the three organizations along with additional items donated to Chalmers Wylie Care Center.

All the moms were very appreciative and one young mom gave us a big hug saying that this would be the only shower she would have for her first born child.

State President Mark Ratliff's July Newsletter Now Available

Download the Ohio Elks Association State Presidents July newsletter to see all the great work Mark, Amy and Elks all across Ohio are doing for Elkdom.

Marysville Elks #1130 Helps Local Fire Department

Marysville Elks Lodge #1130 received a $750 Community Service Grant from the Ohio Elks Association.  This year we purchased a remote area Lighting System for the Liberty Township Fire Department.  Fire Chief Segner says that having this light will be useful at either a fire incident or an injury accident when they need to illuminate an area.  This will enable them to better see what they are doing and because it is battery operated, the firemen won’t have to shout over the sound of their gas powered light. 

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.

Shown presenting the Lighting system to the Fire Department are from left to right are: Firefighter Dale Barker, Exalted Ruler Billie Jo Humble (holding Autumn), Liberty Township Fire Chief Lloyd Segner, Firefighter/Medic Jeremy Rausch, and Community Service Chairman Kermit Morse, III

Van Wert Elks #1197 Sponsor Free Day At Camp Clay

Kids and adults alike certainly took advantage of the gorgeous day on Tuesday, June 18th.      

Over 525 kids along with 100 or so parents showed up at the YMCA Camp Clay for the 8th 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  for all 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 eighth 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 20120.

Pictured are some of the kids enjoying the water at the aqua park and getting their free lunch.

Ohio Elks 2019 State Golf Outing Announced - Toledo-Sylvania Lodge #53 Hosting

Toledo-Sylvania Elks Lodge #53 is proud to be hosting the 2019 Ohio Elks State Golf Tournament on September 7th and 8th.  All Ohio Elks in good standing are invited to attend this event and enjoy a great weekend at our lodge and local golf course.

The tournament will be held at Whiteford Valley Golf Club which has two 18-hole golf courses on their property. (North and West) This may be the first State Elks Tournament where participants are playing together at the same location on different golf courses each day.  Also, this allows the Stroke play and Scramble play golfers to tee off at the same time on different courses.

The entry fee of $115.00 per golfer includes 36 holes of golf with a cart, lunch at the course, welcome gift bag and dinner at the Toledo Sylvania Elks Lodge on Saturday night.

We are looking forward to providing a fun filled weekend starting on Friday night with dinners, entertainment and games at our lodge along with two days of tournament golf play.

The Toledo-Sylvania Elks look forward to seeing our fellow Ohio Elks.

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Recognizes Americanism Essay Winners

Americanism Essay Winners, Christopher Geiger 6th Grade Division,  and Sara Moore, 8th Grade Division, were invited to read their essays during our recent Flag Day Ceremony.  Each of these students took 1st place honors for both local level, at Newark #391, and district level of the South Central District.

Pictured here with Lecturing Knight/Americanism Chair and Exalted Ruler Ed Smith III.

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 Support Middleport Police Dept.

K9 Officer Patrolman Shannon Smith started the first K9 Program within the Middleport Police Dept. in 2018. Shannon Smith was able to successfully secure private funds to purchase his K9 partner, funds for the 10 week training program, K9 equipment and acquire an excess SUV from the state auction.

The SUV was stripped and needed to be outfitted to be made road worthy. Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107, in conjunction with the Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant, was able to provide $1,129 to purchase a new light bar, universal console box, handheld siren and spot light for the vehicle.

Pictured is K9 Officer Shannon Smith and PER Rick “Dirt” Borton, Gallipolis Elks #107 Trustee and Ohio South Central District Vice Chairman.

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 Supports Local Youth Fishing Team

The Gallia Academy High School Fishing Team of Wyatt Sipple and Josh Faro won the Ohio State High School Fishing Tournament held on the Ohio River in Gallipolis, Ohio,  on May 18, 2019.  This qualified them to fish in the National High School Fishing Championship held at Pickwick Lake, Alabama,  on June 18-22, 2019.  Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 helped sponsor the team by raising $750 to help cover their expenses and entry fees.  

Pictured from left, displaying their awards are Josh Faro and Wyatt Sipple.