Athens Elks #973 Promotes Drug Awareness

Athens Elks Lodge #973 participated in Lowe's Kids Safety Day, with it's drug awareness efforts. Over 300 children picked up Elks Coloring books and other materials. Parents were especially interested in the Elks drug identification kit, provided by the Ohio Elks Association!

DARE Officer Rick Crossen, who also utilized Elks drug awareness materials to hand out to children

A family checking out the Elks drug identification kit, provided by the Ohio Elks Association

Elks National Foundation supports Snack Pack

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 purchased and delivered 154 cases of peanut butter to the Gallia Co. Snack Pack storage area.  This donation was made possible by a $2,000 grant from the Elks National Foundation along with an additional $190 from the Gallipolis Elks.  In addition to the peanut butter, the Gallipolis Elks presented a check to Snack Pack for $610.  Elk’s members Bill Johnson, Gary Rife, and Gary Harrison, and Fred Bryant (not Pictured) along with Snack Pack representative Harry Dillon are shown at the Snack Pack Distribution Center where the backpacks are filled.

Gallipolis Elks Support Grace UMC Food Pantry

The food pantry at Grace United Methodist Church has been serving the Gallia Co. community since 2002. Thanks to continued food collections and donations from our community, the food pantry serves on the average 95 families monthly which represents about 250 individuals.  The Grace UMC food pantry is open from 9-12 every Monday and Tuesday.  Bob McClaskey, Exalted Ruler, Gallipolis Elks, presented a $500 check to Marlene Stout to help support the food pantry.  The donation from the Gallipolis Elks was made possible by a grant from the Elks National Foundation.    

Lorain Elks #1301 And Elroy Partner with DEA for Red Ribbon Week

The Lorain Elks partnered with the DEA for a Red Ribbon event supporting Drug Awareness held in Lorain, Ohio.   Between 200-250 attended the event and Elroy the Elk was a big Hit with all the attendees.  A lot of information on drug Awareness and what the Elks are and do in our Community was distributed.

ER Barbara Szalay & Elroy the Elk ( played by Carter Shupp- Son of member Greg Shupp)

ER Barbara Szalay & Lorna McLain (Community Outreach Specialist DEA 360)

DEA Outreach Specialist Lorna McLain & Elroy the Elk

Local Elks Honored For Their Service to Elkdom

At the Northwest District Meeting of the Ohio Elks Association held on Sunday, October 20 at Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge No. 83, three members of the district were recognized for all of the hard work they do promoting the Elks no only within their communities but within the State.

Recognized were Mary Beaston, Fremont Elks Lodge No. 169, Julie Crowe, Kenton Elks Lodge No. 157 and Linda Stanley, Van Wert Lodge No. 1197.    Each was presented an American Flag from Ohio Elks Association President Mark Ratliff which had flown over the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Pictured left to right are: Julie Crowe, Linda Stanley, Mary Beaston and State President Mark Ratliff.

Newark Elks #391 Standy Ready to Help Veterans

Newark Elks Lodge 391 once again joined with the Licking County Veterans Service Commission and other county and city businesses to help our homeless, transitioning, and down on their luck veterans at the 2019 Licking County Stand Down.

The Newark Elks were the only fraternal organization present at this stand down showing that Elks Care, Elks Share.

Using funds from a BPOE grant to purchase heavy sleeping bags, blankets, and back packs; hats, gloves, socks, and phone cards donated by the membership; 20 light weight sleeping bags and sleeping mats procured from the Red Cross; plus drug awareness information assembled by lodge members,  the Elks were able to help 45 veterans.

Also, as part of our partnership with the Licking County Veterans Service Commission, our lodge ballroom was transformed into a sea of Red, White and Blue Saturday night as the Commission held their annual Commission dinner and awards.

“As long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protecting Order of Elks will never forget them.”

Newark Elks #391 Recognize Local Boy Scout Troop

As this was the first time the boy scouts were together after their summer activities, Lodge ER, Ed Smith and Chaplain and Flag Day Chairman, Becky Underhill recognized the Newark Elks Lodge #391 Boy Scout Troop #2 for their participation in the Elks Flag Day Ceremony by giving them an American Flag pin and the Elks and Scouting pin.

The Scouts participated by acting as the color guard, flag carriers, and explaining the folds of the flag and the colors of the flag during the ceremony.

Pictured are ER Ed Smith, Boy Scouts, and Flag Day Chairman, Becky Underhill

State President Mark Ratliff's October Newsletter Now Available

Download Mark’s October newsletter below

Van Wert Elks #1197 Supports Local Youth Program

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently made a donation of $500 to the First United Methodist Church. The monies are earmarked towards their 5th Quarter Program. The monies are from a Promise Grant the lodge received from the Elks National Foundation. These grants are made available to the Elks Lodges to provide drug and alcohol free events for the children.

 The 5th Quarter Program is geared for middle school and high school students after all the home football games. The middle school students gather at the YMCA and the high school students gather at the Goedde Building. Games are provided for the students as well as pizza and a beverage. The students are provided with a safe place to meet with their friends in an alcohol and drug free environment. Volunteers are on hand to assist with the games and chaperone the students.

Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to support this important program for the youth of our community.

Pictured from left Demond Johnson, 5th Quarter and Mike Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman.

Wilmington Elks #797 Helps Improve Patient Safety With Local Fire-Rescue

The Wilmington Elks recently gave a Binder Lift vest to the Wilmington, OH Fire Department using an Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant. The vest helps reduce injuries to patients and providers when picking up patients.

Pictured from left: ER, Dave Appleman, EMT Terrell, EMT Cline, and PER, Dan Williams.

Berea Elks #1815 Help Local High School Fight Vaping Problem

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 presented a check for $2,000 to Berea-Midpark High School to help fund an education program about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping. The High School has seen a sudden spike in the usage of these products on campus and considering the current dangers around vaping, this effort could not possibly be more timely. The funds were made possible by a grant from the Elks National Foundation. Many thanks to Assistant Principal Mark Mucha for his efforts within the high school to stop this dangerous practice from spreading any further.

From left: Richard Threadgill, PER, and Mark Mucha, Assistant Principal Berea-Midpark High School.

Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 Help Make Community Safer

On Tuesday September 10th Willoughby - Cleveland Lodge donated $500.00 to the Gates Mills Fire Dept. to be used to purchase carbon monoxide and smoke detectors as well as donating two boxes of opiate resistant gloves.

Pictured from left to right are Gates Mills Fire Chief Tom Robinson, PER Larry Clement, PER Bob Bell and Treasurer Jon Felice.

Elks Adopt Vets At Local Baseball Game

The Annual Adopt-A-Vet Toledo Mud Hens Game took place once again with 95 to Veterans to participate in the a fun filled day. This was to include the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio National Guard however they were on extended deployment and couldn’t make it. So The Elks got out on the street of at the ballpark in downtown Toledo and asked any person if they were a Veteran, if so they could see the game, have a buffet luncheon, sit in AC, or in the Roost section of the ball park. The Veterans were well received by the Elks, very happy, and proud that the Elks took the time to ask. In all the Elks were able to recruit 79 Veterans. To the Elks  who went out of their to go and recruit they were Larry Mills, Gary Vice, Maumee BG Lodge #1850,  Chuck Hilyard Sr, Chuck Hilyard Jr, Terry and Terri Harrison, Toledo Sylvania Lodge #53, Mary Beaston Fremont Lodge #169, along with six other volunteers who helped during the game. Thank you to all for supporting our Veterans and participated by donating a ticket  to our Veterans for a great day at the ball park.

Gallipolis Elks #107 Supports Local Athlete

Taylor Ramey, a junior at River Valley HS, was selected to attend the Under Armour Factory Softball Christmas camp and national tournament in Vero Beach, Florida.  Taylor is an outstanding softball player for RVHS and plays in the summer softball travel team for the WV Tide 18u.  Taylor’s coaches nominated her for the Under Armour tryouts in Columbus where she competed against young ladies from across the United States and other countries for the few slots available at the camp.  Taylor’s long term goal is to go to college, play softball and become an Occupational Therapist.  To help cover some of the expenses for the camp, the Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 donated $500 to her camp.  Pictured from left to right is ER Bob McClaskey, Taylor Ramey, and Angie Halfhill, Taylor’s Nanny.

Pictured from left to right is ER Bob McClaskey, Taylor Ramey, and Angie Halfhill, Taylor’s Nanny.

Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 Help Make Community Safer

Willoughby-Cleveland Elks Lodge #18 presented the Willoughby Fire Department with a check for $500 to be used to purchase carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, as well as two boxes of opiate resistant gloves.

The Elks are committed to making sure that our first responders not only have the tools to help the citizens of our communities, but also the welfare of our first responders as well. These funds were made available through grants supplied by the Elks National Foundation.

Shown with Chief Todd Unger representing the Lodge are (from left) PER Larry Clement, PER Sue Knight and PER Kirk Kokal.

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.