Marysville Elks #1130 Delivers $5K To Help Those With Cerebral Palsy

Marysville Elks Lodge #1130 donated $5,000 to the Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities.  The grant was made possible through the Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Trust Fund.  The funds will be used to aid those with CP in Union County. 

Pictured above is Exalted Ruler Billie Jo Humble and Sarah Seeberg, Director of Support Services, with the UCBDD.

Newark Elks Help Kids Learn About Impairment

Impairment Goggles Big Hit With Kids

Newark Elks Lodge #391 used impairment goggles to help Newark City High School and Middle School students understand the effects of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Lodge members along with other community sponsors attended the city schools annual “Rally in the Alley” to provide students who are underprivileged and at risk with needed items for the upcoming school year. “This is the perfect opportunity for the students to play with and learn from the impairment goggles”, said Licking County Sheriff Deputy Shuster. Another big plus, the kids enjoyed talking with and interacting with the officers.

Deputy Shuster was joined by Licking County Deputy Brailer and Newark City Police Sgt. Gliatta as they helped the Elk members with the students.

Along with trying the impairment goggles, over 300 students received a drug awareness information packet.

Members Becky Underhill, Ruby Smith, Mike Tanner, Ginger Rife, Marion Baron, Tim Hamilton, Jeff Unternaher.

Mike Tanner Deputy Shuster and student “walking the line”.

Students testing their dexterity, Members Becky Underhill, Mike Tanner and Bill Trumbull.

Last Day To Pre-Register For Fall Reunion!

A friendly reminder that today is the last day to register for the Ohio Elks Association Fall Reunion in Dublin, OH.

After today, you can still register on-site, however today is the last day to purchase tickets to Fun Night! Be sure to register today. Save a couple of bucks and time upon arrival.

See you in Columbus!

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Helping Those With Cerebral Palsy

On July 16th Athens Elks Lodge #973 presented a check to the Athens County Board of Development Disabilities (ACBDD) in the amount of $8,700 . This donation will be used to help students at The Beacon School who have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.  The money came from the Elks National Beacon Grant. 

Pictured, left to right are Blaycee Stump Student, Kevin Davis Superintendent of ACBDD, Tim Lairson, Grants Coordinator of Athens Elks, Jim Balding, Trustees Chair of Athens Elks, Rich Russell, Exalted Ruler of Athens Elks, and Ian Mourn-Gonzalez Student

Van Wert Elks #1197 Helps Local Fire Department.

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently donated a Fire Hose Inflation System to the Convoy Fire and EMS. The system is used to inflate a section of fire hose so it can be pulled across a stream or pond to assist in the rescue of someone in the water.

The monies were received by the lodge from the Elks National Foundation in the form of a Gratitude Grant.      

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

Pictured, left to right are Fire Chief Gary Kresischer and Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman.

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