Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 Volunteer to Help Cerebral Palsy

Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 volunteered to usher at the Tecumseh outdoor drama the week of Aug. 19th thru Aug. 24th.  The lodge received $500 to give to its designated charity, cerebral palsy.  Each evening required between 6 to 10 volunteers.   Elks Lodge #52 wants to thank the volunteers that consisted of Lodge #52 members, family members and friends including 4 members of Jackson Lodge #466.  Thank you for helping to complete another successful project.

Fremont Elks Lodge #169 Work to Help Fight Hunger

The Sandusky County Food Pantry received a donation of $2,000 from Fremont Elks Lodge #169 to help meet the growing challenge of providing assistance to the community’s needy.

A check was presented to officials of the food pantry by Mike Sanchez, Exalted Ruler of the local Elks lodge. This is the ninth consecutive year that the Elks have made that size donation to the food pantry.

Fremont Elks Exalted Ruler Mike Sanchez, center left, presents a check for $2,000 to Jim Faist, treasurer of the Sandusky County Food Pantry. Others in the picture are, from left, Elks Trustee Mike Kelly, Roy and Marty Wilhelm of the food pantry, and Elks trustees Rick Frank and Billie Lee.

The volunteer-run facility provides assistance to county residents who have been pre-screened and referred to them by the county’s Department of Family Services or Health Department, or by a local church. The food pantry, which has been in operation since 1977, relies solely on food and monetary donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. It provides food equivalent to 200,000 meals annually to needy individuals and families.

Roy Wilhelm, the food pantry’s president, said the Elks’ donation is particularly useful this year because a large local business recently redirected its ongoing charitable efforts, resulting in a sizeable drop in the food pantry’s income.

“We very much appreciate the Elks Club’s continuing support of our food pantry,” Wilhelm said. “Many people in the community may not realize what a gap we’re able to help fill for so many people who are less fortunate or temporarily down on their luck. We provide food for close to 1,000 people a month.

“The Elks Club is a great partner in our efforts.”

Funds for the Elks donation were obtained by the local lodge through a Beacon Grant issued by the Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which has 850,000 members in more than 2,000 lodges across the country. The Fremont lodge was one of only 50 local Elks lodges in the nation to qualify for the grant.

The Sandusky County Food Pantry is located at 129 Bidwell Ave., just behind Sandusky County Share & Care Center, a thrift shop for the needy. The food pantry is open Monday through Friday from noon to 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can drop it off or mail it to the food pantry. For more information, call 419-334-8158

Local Youth Learn How to Golf With Help From Van Wert Elks #1197

The Golf Committee from Van Wert Elks Lodge No. 1197 recently donated $1,000 to the YMCA Hickory Sticks golf course.    The monies are to be use for the  youth golf programs.

Pictured from left are golf committee member Chuck Sperry, Darcy Crummey Director of Golf and John Jones, golf committee member.

Wren Park Getting New Dugout With Help From Van Wert Elks #1197

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 is happy to announce that the Van Wert Elks Golf Committee recently donated $500 to the Wren Ball Park Association.    The monies are earmarked to help build a dugout on one of their baseball diamonds to help with the youth activities at the ball park.

Pictured from left are Shane Mills representing the Golf Committee and Jeremy Kitson of the Wren Ball Park Association.

Athens Elks #973 Uses Beacon Grant To Help Local Kids Get Back To School

Athens Elks Lodge #973 packed and donated over 50 backpacks with $2,000 of school supplies and worked together with  Southeast Ohio Youth Mentoring to give them out to area kids.  The money came from an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant.

Pictured from left: Athens Elks Jim Balding, Joe Vassallo, Tim Lairson, Glen Hanson and with SE Ohio Youth Mentoring Jim Salzman.

Salem Elks Lodge #305 Helps Local Scout With Eagle Project

Brogan Fisher with Boy Scout Troop #2 is working on his Eagle Scout project. Presenting him with a check donation of $500 of the Salem Elks Lodge #305 is Connie Smith, Exalted Ruler and looking on is Kim Chapman, Leading Knight. He wants to plan, coordinate and engineer a project to prove leadership skills and to benefit an institution in our community. The project will have a stone platform surrounding a flag pole that will include five plaques designated to each branch of the U.S. Military at the Greenford Christian Church. This will honor and show appreciation to all who have served and are currently serving in the military.

Presenting him with a check donation of $500 of the Salem Elks Lodge #305 is Connie Smith, Exalted Ruler and looking on is Kim Chapman, Leading Knight.

State Hoop Shoot Champion Visits Newark Lodge #391

At the regular lodge meeting on July16, 2019, Newark Lodge #391 was visited by our Boys 8-9 Age Group Hoop Shoot State Champion, Tripp Miller. Tripp spoke to the Lodge about his Hoop Shoot experience and what he learned from it. Tripp was very well spoken for such a young man, and his presentation was enjoyed by all in attendance. We are looking forward to him participating again this fall in the 2019-2020 Hoop Shoot Contest year, as well as his younger brother who will be eligible to compete this year!

Bill Trumbull, PER, the Newark Lodge and South Central District Hoop Shoot Director, along with ER Ed Smith, presented Tripp with a Warm Up Top commemorating his State Championship.

Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 Helps Local Kids Get Back To School

Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 purchased 192 backpacks and filled them with elementary school supplies to be distributed to needy children throughout Ross County.  This project was funded by an Elks National Foundation Beacon grant of $2,500.  Elk members distributed the backpacks the last week of July and the first week of August to insure the children had sufficient supplies to begin the school year.

Gallipolis Elks Honor WWII Veterans

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 recently honored our current WW II veterans with a small ceremony and reception. PER Rick Borton welcomed the veterans and thanked them for their service and reiterated the Elks Veteran's Pledge to them and the guests: “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks will never forget them.”  Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres were served.  Other WW II vets not in attendance but were recognized were Hoby Foster, 93, Leo Valentine, 92, Merill Null, 92, Robert Wood, 91, and Fred Folden, 90.

Pictured are Tony Merola, 94, Jim Betz, 93, and Homer Hankins, 93.

Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 Honor Local Scout

Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 presented the National Elks Gold Star Award to Elizabeth Wenner for her outstanding project of cleaning neglected headstones at a local cemetery.   The lodge presented Elizabeth with the National Elks Scouting pin, the Elks Scouting Patch, a framed Elks Gold Star award, an American flag and a $100 Visa gift card. 

Congratulations Elizabeth on a job well done!

From left: George Wenner, ER Barb Szalay, Gold Star recipient Elizabeth Wenner, Jeanette Wenner & Bobby Wenner.

Lorain Elks #1301 Helps Make Community Safer

Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 used a $750 Ohio Elks Community Service Grant for the purchase of a Gas Alert Monitor ( used for undetectable gases ).  The Lorain Fire Department presented the Lodge a framed appreciation letter.

From left: ER Barbara Szalay,Lecturing Knight James Davis, Secretary Nora Schrenkel,Captain Shawn Lloyd & Fire Chief Chris Radman.

New Philadelphia Elks #510 Help Local Police Make Community Safer

Jeffrey Warner, DDGER of New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510 presents a check for $1,220 to Dover Police Chief Paul Bantum. The check will purchase a new taser gun for the local police department. This check is funded in part by a Community Service Grant. New Philadelphia Elks proudly gives back to the community over $65,000 each year.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Helps Local Fire Department With Safety Upgrades

Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated  $750 in grant money to Carthage Township Volunteer Fire Department to help replace all of their fire Extinguishers on the trucks.  This will provide updated  safety equipment for the firefighters as well as the community they serve. Money was provided from the Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant.

Fro left: Athens Elks members Jim Balding, Rich Russell and Ernie Perry and from Carthage Township FD are Jerrick Nutter, Chris Nutter, Jameson Allen and Jim Allen.

Kenton Elks Lodge #157 Supports Local 4H Campers

The Kenton Elks 157 held a reception for the 40 recipients of grant money used to help pay for expenses to attend 4H camp. Kenton Elks Lodge 157 applied for the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and was awarded $2,000 to be divided among Hardin County Youth who applied for the money. Each student received $50 to be used toward 4H camp which was held July 21st through the 25th.

During the reception students introduced themselves and recounted their favorite experience from 4H camp. Jodine McKinley is the facilitator of this project and acted as the host of the event. Exalted Ruler Derek Kaufman recounted his wonderful experiences at 4H camp and informed the attendees on how the Gratitude Grant works through the Elks. Extension Educator and 4-H Youth Development coordinator, Amanda Raines, also spoke about the impact this grant money has on Hardin County residents and how it helps more kids attend the local area program. Present at the reception were many 157 PER’s and current Officers of the lodge.

To receive their potion of the grant money, Hardin County youth must apply to Kenton Elks lodge 157.

Van Wert #1197 Supports Local Scout Council

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $125 to the Black Swamp Area Council, Boys Scouts of America.   The donation is part of the annual Friends of Scouting fund raising campaign

 The Black Swamp Council which is headquartered in Findlay covers thirteen counties.  It provides two camps, Camp Berry near Findlay and Camp Lakota near Defiance for the scouts to hold activities at and attend summer camp.  The Friends of Scouting campaign contributions held the Council fund camping programs, adult and youth training programs.    

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been instilling the values embodied in the Scout Oath and Law, the Scout Motto, “Be Prepared” and the Scout Slogan, “Do a Good Turn Daily”.   The council provides scouting programs to 6,300 youth.

Pictured are: Greg Amstutz from the Black Swamp Council accepting the check from Lodge Chaplain Larry Miller.

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.