Salem Kids Choose Life, Not Drugs

Drug Awareness Essay and Poster Contest Winners were awarded their plaques on Saturday, February 8th in the Lodge room with family and friends in attendance. The theme was "Life does not rewind, choose life not drugs" Pictured are Connie Smith, ER; Essays are 6-7th graders: 1st Roxanna Beck; 2nd McKenzie McCallister.  Poster was 3-5th graders: in 3rd Ava Dowd. Not pictured were: Essay 3rd place winner Madelyn Manley and Poster winners 1st Charity Hodgson and 2nd Cassidy Wallace. All essays and posters were sent onto the NE District level for judging.

Salem Elks #305 Announce Americanism Essay Winners

Americanism Essay winners were awarded their plaques on Saturday, February 8th in the Lodge room with family and friends in attendance. The theme was "What Does Freedom of Speech Mean to Me" Front is Kim Chapman, Leading Knight and co-chair; 5-6th grade Division I: 1st Elise Bender; 2nd Ryan Folger; 3rd Macey Troy and Pam Gerace, Americanism Chairman. Back row is Connie Smith, ER; 7-8th grade Division II: 1st Olivia Hoffman; 2nd Megan Miller and 3rd Emmit Harkleroad. All 6 essays were sent into the NE district level.

Newark Elks #391 Never Forgets Our Veterans

Helping veterans is a big part of Newark Lodge 391.  Kathy Wise, lodge ENF chairman, procured an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and with the money the lodge was able to put together 12 Welcome Home Baskets for veterans transitioning to housing.

From Left: Tim Binckly, Licking County Housing; Becky Underhill, Lodge Chaplain and Veteran Committee member; Kathy Wise, Lodge ENF Chairman; and Ryan Shock, Licking Counting Housing.

Each basket contains a laundry basket and bucket, pillow, pillow case and blanket; towels and washcloth, shower liner, curtain and rings, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste; pots and pans and cooking utensils,  dishes, glasses and silverware, potholders, dishtowels, dish soap, cleaning supplies for floors and laundry, and paper products and trash bags all shrink wrapped to keep everything together and clean.

These veterans are identified by the Licking County Coalition for Housing, the SSVF (Special Services for Veterans and Families) and the Welcome Home Baskets are given to them to distribute.

NE District Hoop Shoot Winners To Compete At State!

The Northeast District of the Ohio Elks Association held its annual District Hoop Shoot contest recently and is proud to announce the winners of the contest who will move on to compete at the state level in Columbus. Congratulations to all and Good Luck at the State Elks Hoop Shoot on Feb. 15th!

Left to right: Brady Griggs 8/9 winner, Evan Handcock 12/13 winner, Alex Brown 12/13 winner, Shelby Odey 8/9 winner , Ava Kouri (not pictured) 10/11 winner.

Gallipolis Lodge #107 Supports Local Youth Football League

PER Walt Brown and his wife Sharon of Gallipolis Elks Lodge 107 conducted several fundraisers for the Gallipolis Elks Youth Football League and raised over $2,000.  The funds were presented to Youth Football League Chairman Mike Canaday at a social event at the Lodge. 

Pictured from left: Sharon Brown, PER Walt Brown, Youth Football League Chairman Mike Canaday and Youth Football League Secretary and Treasurer Kim Canaday.

Ohio Elks Leadership Kollege Agenda Released!

The Ohio Elks Association will be hosting our annual Elks Leadership Kollege, Saturday, Febraury 29th at Newark Elks Lodge from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. This one day workshop is designed to help incoming officers and committee chairpersons learn more about their roles and responsibilities while also meeting and networking with fellow Elks.

The official agenda has now been released and can be found on the OEA website here: https://ohioelks.com/kollege

Also, be sure to register at the same link above to help the organizers prepare for the right size audience. This free event is open to all Elks. We look forward to seeing you in Newark!

Ohio Elks Appreciate Our Veterans!

Jan 10th was another busy day at Chalmers P. Wylie Care Center and to top it off it was also Veterans Appreciation Day! The Ohio Elks were there handing out gifts and treats and maybe more importantly, talking to each veteran who came through the line.

Veterans from the Korean War to the War on Terrorism all stopped to look at information about the Elks National Veterans Service Commission and to pick up a snack bag.

Ohio Elks, making sure that “As long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them”!

Lorain Elks #1301 Supports Local Athletics

The Lorain Titans recognized the Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 for its'$300 donation and its continuing support at an Lorain vs. Elyria home game.

From left: Elks members Bryan Koury Titans Athletic Director, ER Barbara Szalay and Trustee PJ Newbert.

Alliance Lodge Hoop Shoot A Great Success!

Alliance Elks Lodge #467 had a number of 2020 hoop shoot winners at their local lodge contest

(L-R) Evan Hancock 12-13 Boys, Alexa Brown 12-13 Girls, Ava Kouri 10-11 Girls, Cole Jones 10-11 Boys,Brady Griggs 8-9 Boys, Shelby Odey 8-9 Girls

Lorain Elks #1301 Make Holidays Better For Local Veterans

Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 used a $2,000 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to give the Lorain Male & Female Valor Home residents a great Christmas.  In addition to gift giving, a Christmas Eve dinner for all was also provided. 

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