Willoughby-Cleveland and Painesville Lodges Partner to Help Homeless Veterans

Willoughby - Cleveland Elks Lodge #18 and Painesville Elks Lodge #549 combined efforts to distribute over 75 bags of warm clothing to help battle the elements to homeless veterans in Lake, Ashtabula, Geagua and Cuyahoga Counties in Northeast Ohio. Funds to purchase the bags were made possible thru an Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant.

Each bag contained, Sweat pants and sweatshirts, long john tops and bottoms, thermal socks, hats, gloves as well a bag containing personal care items that were collected by members and friends of the lodge. Willoughby Emblem #508 as well as Willoughby American Legion Palmer Lodge post 214 also helped with this very worthwhile project.

Pictured with representatives of the VA resource center are from left to right.
PER Duke Miller, PER Scott Daniels, Trustee Samuel Robert Wright

Salem Elks #305 Makes Christmas Better For Five Families.

The Christmas Baskets were finally ready for pick up. The perishables were added, along with gift cards for the grocery store and additional gift cards for Wal-Mart.

The Salem Salvation Army picked them up on Saturday, December 21st. Baskets were then distributed to the 5 families consisting of 16 children & 10 adults. Thank you to Pam for obtaining the $2,500 Beacon Grant from the Elks National Foundation, Jeff Chapman for securing $900 through our gaming contributions which is handled by the 501c3 Salem Community Foundation.  Not pictured are Diana Mahouski, Anna Kibler,  Wayne Gorby,  Devon Williamson, Marge Schnoernberg, Kim Chapman and Connie Smith, ER. An extra thank you to all who helped to make this a bright and cheery Christmas for all involved.

Pictured are Pam Gorby, ENF chairman and Carolyn Bowser.

South Central District Brings Holiday Cheer Local Veterans

South Central Elks sponsored two (2) Veterans Christmas Dinners on December 16th and December 18th.  The first dinner was hosted by Chillicothe Lodge #52 for various group homes for the Veterans and families. The attendance was down due to inclement weather but 50 plus who attended enjoyed a wonderful meal, gifts and entertainment.  A great time was had by all ending with everyone singing Christmas carols.

The second Veterans Christmas celebration was at the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center. (VA) December 18th 2019.  Greenfield R.O.T.C. Cadets posted the colors and performed one of their military drills to begin the evening. 120 Veterans residing at the VA plus families and guests enjoyed a wonderful meal  served by the Elks, R.O.T.C. Cadets and Volunteers.  An abundance of gifts, clothing, hygiene products, throws, wheel chair gloves and games were distributed by Elk volunteers.  The remaining gifts were distributed the next day December 19th 2019 to homeless Veterans and families.

There were many Veterans confined to wheelchairs. Pictured are just two Veterans who were in attendance. They are Edward Rooks and Evelyn Howell.

Ohio Elks Leadership Kollege - Pre-Registration Now Open!

Elks Leadership Kollege

• Are you a new lodge officer?

• Are you leading a lodge committee?

• Are you a long-time lodge leader?

• Do you just need help?!

We are here for you!

The Elks Leadership Kollege is a valuable training session being offered to lodge officers and members February 29, 2020.  Qualified trainers will be conducting sessions packed full of valuable information that will guide you through a successful lodge year.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to have your officers learn what they need to know and implement in order to have a successful year!

This year’s Kollege will be hosted at Newark Elks Lodge #391. Times and agenda are still being completed, however you can pre-register now by going to: https://ohioelks.com/kollege and completing the simple form.

The event is free (although there may be a small cost for lunch).

Be sure to mark your calendars, pre-register, and attend this invaluable event!

Van Wert Elks #1197 Recognize Students of the Month

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, have selected Kathryn Hauter and Cassandra Priest, both seniors at Van Wert High School as the recipients of the Students of the Month for December.

Students are nominated by their high schools to receive this award.  Each Student of the Month receives a monetary donation along with a certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 with the possibility to be named the Student of the Year.   Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements – Volunteerism, Character, Leadership, Service, Citizenship and Scholastic.

This program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for their achievements in school and community.   The Elks wish to recognize and praise those students for their accomplishments, their activities, and their contributions to society through this program.

Pictured left to right are: Cassandra Priest and Kathryn Hauter with Linda J. Stanley, Student of the Month Chairperson.

Newark Elks #391 Provides Local Families with Christmas Food Boxes

Newark Elks Lodge #391, along with additional generosity of Members, provided 20 local families with a Christmas Food Box.  Each box provided each family groceries for a complete Christmas meal, and additional staple items for a couple of weeks of meals.  Here are just some of the delivery teams who gave their Sunday morning, to share the holiday spirit. Elks Care~Elks Share!

Becky Underhill, Steve Deedrick, John Wieber, Valerie Deedrick, Bob Edly, Bill Trumbull, Jim Hodge, Harry Yocum, Kathy Willey, Dave Underhill, and Jim Willey who were joined by Gary Kinney, Susan England and John Edly.

Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 Helps Veterans With "Sweats for Vets"

In an impromptu act of Christmas cheer, veterans from Willoughby - Cleveland Lodge assembled 19 bags of sweatpants and sweatshirts for a program nicknamed "sweats for vets" that will be donated and distributed at the Cleveland VA domicile. These bags will be given to Veterans in the outpatient program when they are leaving the facility. In addition Work Smart Clothing in Willowick not only gave us a heck of a deal, but also donated  a case of double extra large sweatshirts as well.

Pictured from left to right are, PER Kirk Kokal - USMC, Nelson Hancock - United States Army, PSP Lance Knight - US Air Force.

Elks Celebrate Christmas with Adopted Veterans

The Ohio Elks along with Toledo Elks Lodge #53 shared in remembering our 26 1 North Veterans at their annual Christmas festivities at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. A variety of delicious hors d’oeuvres were served as family members joined in along with a visit from Santa. Each resident were given gifts of a new white t shirt, Flannel Shirt and warm hooded jacket. Toledo Lodge #53 presented each with a cozy fleece blanket.

PSP Doug Schiefer ,wife Julia, Mary Beaston , Jackie Brady of Toledo #53, and Don Gresh of Port Clinton #1718. Also Our Veteran and his 3 Daughters.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Bring Holiday Cheer to Local Community

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have again this year adopted children from the Angel Tree Project to help make their Christmas a little brighter. Tags are placed on the lodge Christmas Sharing Tree which contains the items needed for the kids. The members of the Lodge take the tags from the tree, buy and wrap the items and bring them back to the Lodge.   The members of the Christmas Sharing Tree Committee then deliver the packages to the location before Christmas.   This has been a project of the Lodge for several years and the lodge members look forward to the Sharing Tree being put up in the Lodge.    By participating in this project, the Van Wert Elks are able to show the community that Elks Care – Elks Share.

Pictured are the wrapped presents waiting to be delivered to the party by the committee.

Alliance Elks #467 A Beacon In The Community This Holiday Season

North East District Alliance Elks #467 with donations from many members and the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant built and distributed baskets for 217 families they are ready for delivery. Each family will receive enough food for at least a week and gifts for the children.

Food ready to be packed waiting on eggs

Volunteers’ lining up to fill baskets

The assembly line begins

Berea Elks #1815 Rings in Christmas at Cleveland VA Hospital

The Berea Elks Lodge #1815 in partnership with Columbia Station VFW Post #9340 brought Chirstmas joy and cheer to the Louis Stokes VA Hospital. About 70 gift bags were donated to veterans residing at the hospital. The bags were stuffed with sweat pants, sweatshirts, t-shirts and socks. Music and cookies were also distributed.

Berea Elks #1815 Hosts Alia Bailey Memorial Toy Drive

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 hosted the Alia Bailey Memorial Toy Gift Drive for the third year in a row. Hundreds of gifts were donated by Elks members, friends and family of Alia, along with countless community members. Volunteers spent their Sunday morning wrapping the gifts which will be donated to local children’s hospitals.

Newark Elks Join with Civil Air Patrol for Wreaths Across America

33 Newark Elks Lodge #391 members, 22 Elk family members, plus the Civil Air Patrol and many Newark residents braved the cold and rain to honor the veterans buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery by saying their name and placing a wreath on their grave.

Pictured at the Veteran’s Memorial at Cedar Hill Cemetery are the Newark Elks members and their families who participated in laying wreaths.

As one of the lodge’s favorite events, this year the Newark Elks increased their fundraising efforts and were able to cover 550 of the veteran’s graves.

Newark Elks #391 Raises $1,000 For Salvation Army

With help from the experts, the Buena’s (owners of the La Paloma Restaurants in Newark and the aunt and uncle of Newark Lodge member Ginger Rife) spent the day preparing a fabulous dinner of sopapillas, tacos, beans and rice, and soup.

This tasty dinner helped the Newark Elks Lodge 391 raise $1000 for the Red Kettle Campaign. The money will stay in the Newark community and help those in need this holiday season.

Pictured is Ted Buena, member Ginger Rife, and Dominga Buena

Athen Elks Lodge #973 Hosts "Shop With A Cop"

Athens Elks Lodge #973 was a sponsor for Athens Ohio Police Department "Shop with a Cop" program which benefits underprivileged children in Athens County with a $100 gift certificate to shop with an officer for Christmas presents.

Pictured is police officer Dave Williams (Athens Elks #973 SC District Drug Awareness Chairman) and "Allyson" for Christmas presents for herself and family members.

Salem Elks #305 Hold Hoop Shoot Contest

Salem Lodge #305 held the local level Basketball Hoop Shoot today at the Center Plex. Small crowd, but they shot with heart and skill. Doug Rudibaugh, PER/Chairman, Boys: 12-13 Tyler Cummings, 10-11in 1st Brady Hendricks and 2nd Zane Suarez, 8-9 Landon Johnston, Girls:  10-11 Destany Cunningham, 12-13 Loamy Monjaraz and Connie Smith, ER. The winners advance to the NE District level, which will be held Saturday, January 18 at the Ravenna High School. Congratulations to all. Super sportsmanship

Willoughby - Cleveland Elks #18 Host First Responders

On December 7th Willoughby - Cleveland Lodge #18 had the pleasure of honoring six local first responders as our guests at our Past Exalted Rulers Scholarship reverse raffle.

Pictured left to right are, FF/EMT-P Ricky Stuart - Willoughby Fire, Mike Arcidiacon FF/EMT-P - Willowick Fire, Sherry Breszki Dispatcher - Wickliffe Police, Chief Robert Gandee - Willoughby Hills Fire, Exalted Ruler Rob Kelley, Lt. Gordon Thompson - Painesville Township Fire, Dispatcher Lt. Cheryl Baker - Lake County Emergency Operations Center.

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Donates over $22,000 To Local Community

Columbus Grove City Elks Lodge #37 gave away just over $22,000 to 19 different charitable causes.  All organizations were encouraged to join us for complimentary pizza at the lodge followed by the distribution of checks.  Some of the checks passed out went to Grove City Food Pantry, Angel Tree, Band Boosters, Athletic Boosters, Boy Scouts, Ohio Elks Association State Charity, ENF, Honor Flight, and others.  It is always a great experience hearing how the funds will be used,

Elroy the Elk Marches For Drug Awareness in Athens

The Athens Elks Lodge #973 participated in the Veterans Day Parade in Athens, Ohio.

Included this year was Elroy the Elk, who passed out drug awareness coloring books to the children along the parade route, handing out over 200 coloring books and candy!

Celebrating Veterans Day at Ohio Veterans Home

On Veteran’s Day, PSP Doug Schiefer , wife Julia, and Veteran Rep  Mary Beaston spent the afternoon celebrating and thanking our many Veterans at the Sandusky, OH Veterans Home.

During this time the favorite bingo game was enjoyed by some 175 Veterans. On completion Hot-N-Ready pizza and beverage was served compliments of the NW District Association.

At the closing, PSP Doug bestowed the Elks heartfelt appreciation to the Veterans for their sacrifices and serve to our country.