Van Wert Elks #1197 Donate to Local Summer Food Program

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $2,000 to the YWCA of Van Wert County for their Summer Food Program.   This is the 25th year the YWCA has run this important program.   The monies are from a Spotlight Grant the lodge received from the Elks National Foundation.

The Elks National Foundation is a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.   Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by almost one million Elks and their families and friends from more than 2000 Elks Lodges across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. 

This year, due to Covid 19, they are packing and distributing breakfast and lunch meals for the week every Monday.   Every Thursday they are packing and distributing Grab and Go Bags that contain food for the weekends.    This is open to any child under the age of 18 and no registration is required.    This program runs from June 1 thru July 27.

Van Wert Elks Lodge in addition to the donation of monies has members volunteering in the packaging and distribution of the meals.

Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the YWCA with this important summer program.

Pictured left to right are Betsy Hamman, Summer Food Program Director and Mike Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman.

Salem Elks #305 Helps Local Kids With Cerebral Palsy Get Learning Tools For School

A check for $1,400 was presented to Andrew Garber, Principle of Robert Bycroft by Kim Chapman, Exalted Ruler of Salem Elks Lodge #305. This will help with purchasing learning tools for students with Cerebral Palsy and other learning difficulties. This was provided through the CP Board of the Ohio Elks Association. We're very proud to be the conduit in getting funds for the school.

Salem Elks #305 Announces Americanism Essay District Winners

Salem Elks Lodge #305 had three of our local lodge winners place in the NE District level competition with the essay theme being "What Does Freedom of Speech Mean to Me?"

Due to delays, the students were finally awarded their gift cards. Pictured left to right: Division II 7-8th grades - Megan Miller placed 3rd/$50; Division I 5-6th grades - Macey Troy placed 1st/$100 and Elise Bender placed 2nd/$75. Each was given a US Flag pin, plus a pin of the Salem Elks building. In addition, we were honored to have Megan and Elise read their essays during our Flag Day Ceremony on June 14th. 

Wellsville Elks Lodge #1040 Supports Local First Responders

From left - VFD Lieutenant Kris Valerra, ER Chuck Gamble and members Gwen Gamble and Mary Ellen Reed.

Wellsville Elks Lodge #1040 used their 2020-2021 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to help local first responders.  They divided the grant between the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department and both Wellsville and Columbiana County Sheriff K9 units.

From Left - Columbiana County handler Damin Beadnell with K9 Hunter, ER Chuck Gamble, ENF Chairman-Lodge Secretary Mike Buchanan and Wellsville handler Joe Saranitti with K9 Chief.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Accounce Legacy Scholarship Award Winner

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have announced the awarding of a $4,000 Legacy Award Scholarship by the Elks National Foundation to Taylor Hobbs.    The Legacy Award Scholarships are awarded by the Elks National Foundation and are only available to children and grandchildren of Elk Members.  Ms. Hobbs graduated this spring from Spencerville High School and will be attending this fall The University of Cincinnati majoring in Biology of Animals.

During high school Taylor was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and the FFA.   She played Varsity Soccer and was a member of the Jazz Band, Marching Band, Pep Band and the Symphonic Band.

Taylor is active in her church.    She is also active as a member of the Blue Ribbon Bearcats 4-H Club and the Allen County Junior Fair Board and serves as a 4-H camp counselor.   She is employed at the Spencerville Subway and the Lima Aeropostale.

Taylor resides in Spencerville, OH and is the daughter of Joshua and Diana Hobbs and the Granddaughter of Vernon and Elizabeth Hobbs of Venedocia.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships awarded each year.   Van Wert Lodge is proud to have been a sponsor for Taylor during this competition.

Salem Elks #305 Celebrate 125 Years and Flag Day

Salem Elks Lodge #305 held their annual Flag Day ceremony on the front porch of the lodge. We had two young ladies who won Northeast District Americanism essay contest "What Does Freedom of Speech Mean to Me?" Reading their own papers: 1st place Div I 5-6th gr. Elisa Bender and 2nd place Div II 7-8th gr. Megan Miller.

The officers current: Wayne Gorby, Jeff Chapman, Ben Blevins, Doug Rudibaugh and out Fill ins, Eddie Connors and Tom Covert, plus Floyd McCartney did an awesome performance. Kim Chapman, ER gave the history of the Salem Lodge.

On June 14, 1895 Our Elks Lodge #305 opened it's doors to the membership and we celebrated our 125th anniversary this past Sunday, June 14, 2020! Troop #101 of Alliance Posted the Colors, Michael Newman played TAPS. A huge "Thank You" to our 37 founding members. We want to personally thank Ken Dixon for his insight and suggestions, they helped immensely.

Berea Elk Lodge #1815 Honors Old Glory On Flag Day

As required by statute, Berea Elks Lodge #1815 conducted a formal Flag Day ceremony on Flag Day. While we were not able to perform the ceremony as in year’s past, we were able to take advantage of some beautiful weather to deliver a memorable ceremony for the members, their families, and the officers in attendance.

The lodge provided a great burger and dog picnic free to all who attended immediately following the ceremony.

It was a wonderful tribute to our national flag and a great time to be with fellow Elks and their families. Thanks to all who attended and performed in the ceremony.

Exalted Ruler Kevin Maloney and the rest of the Berea Elks Lodge #1815 officers performing the Elks Flag Day Ceremony outdoors.

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Awards Scholarship

Newark Elks Lodge #391 presented Ean Worth with one of this year’s #391 Scholarships for $500.  Ean is the grandson of our Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Marvin Oneson.  Ean graduated from Newark High School and plans to attend Ohio Northern University in the fall of 2020.  Good Luck to you from Newark #391 members.

Pictured, from the left: Exalted Ruler Stephen Deedrick, Scholarship Chairman Bill Leedale, Ean Worth, Lecturing Knight Marvin Oneson, Jammie Oneson, and Brendan Woodruff.

Newark Elk Lodge #391 Celebrates Flag Day, Albeit a Bit Differently

From Left: Loyal Knight Valerie Deedrick, Esquire Bill Trumbull,Chaplain Kathy Wise,PER John Stare, PER Dave Underhill, member Ginger Rife, Trustee Harry Yocum, member Susan English, member Ruby Smith, Inner Guard Steve Reichart, Trustee Ed Smith, member Tom Stoyle, ER Steve Deedrick, Trustee Gary Kinney, Lecturing Knight Marvin Oneson, Treasurer Jeff Hall. Not seen behind right is PER Joe Lebold and Secretary Randy Rogers.

A normal Flag Day ceremony for Newark Elks Lodge #391 includes not only the Elks Flag Day Ritual but also the Boy Scouts, our local Americanism winners, singers, speakers, military, and special guests. We normally draw a crowd of lodge members, spouses, and community members.

But Flag Day 2020 was different. Covid-19 and Ohio Governor’s stay at home orders during the planning stages almost derailed our event.

Exalted Ruler Steve Deedrick and Flag Day Chairman Becky Underhill felt it was just too important to let the day go by and not do something to honor our Star Spangled Banner.

With the help of the lodge officers and members, Newark Lodge presented a “bare bones” ceremony paying tribute to that grand old flag of ours with just the members of the lodge in attendance.

In these troubled days facing our nation, it was good to be reminded what our flag stands for and to remember that there have been troubled times in the past and we persevered. We can do it again!

Van Wert Elks #1197 Announce Legacy Award Scholarship

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have announced the awarding of a $4,000 Legacy Award Scholarship by the Elks National Foundation to Sidney Boroff.    The Legacy Award Scholarships are awarded by the Elks National Foundation and are only available to children and grandchildren of Elk Members.  Ms. Boroff graduated this spring from Dublin Coffman High School and will be attending this fall The Ohio State University majoring in Finance.

During high school Sidney was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Freshman Mentor Program where she was a room leader, Spanish Tutor, Teen Institute.   She was a 4 year Varsity Diver where she was the captain as well as Track and Field.

Sidney is active in her church and serves as a bible school teacher.    She is also active as a City of Dublin volunteer, volunteer for the Columbus Marathon, serves as a gymnastics coach at Integrity Athletics, volunteers at Glenwood Alzheimer’s Care Center and babysits.

Sidney resides in Dublin, OH and is the daughter of Tami Boroff and the Granddaughter of James and Theresa Beard of Van Wert.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships awarded each year.   Van Wert Lodge is proud to have been a sponsor for Katelyn during this competition.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Helping County Food Pantry

Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $2,000 to the Athens County food pantry. The money was made available through an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.

Pictured from right to left are Elks members Rich Russell Jim Balding and Tim Lairson and far-left is from the Athens County food pantry, Karin Bright.

91st Annual Ohio Elks Association Fall Reunion Cancelled

Ohio Elks Members,

After lengthy discussions and guidance from our State Sponsor, Jim Nichelson, it unfortunately has been decided that the Fall Reunion for the Ohio Elks Association scheduled for August 21-23, 2020, will be cancelled.  The health and safety of our members is of the utmost importance.  In addition, given the current restrictions regarding large gatherings, it would have been impossible for the reunion to go on with any sense of normalcy.

Hotel Reservations:  If you have already booked your room at the Marriott, you will need to contact the hotel to cancel your reservation.

Charity Tickets:  If your lodge has not turned Charity Tickets in as of yet, they will need to be sent to the Ohio Elks Association Office ASAP, no later than August 1, 2020.  The drawing will be held on the date planned, August 22.  Winners will be contacted.

This has been a very difficult year for everyone, but we need to continue to look at the positives.  Families have been given a chance to slow down, reconnect and create special memories together.  Many of our lodges were finally given that deep clean, fresh paint, and maintenance that we could never find the time to do.  Elks have reached out and found ways to help the most vulnerable in our communities.

Like all of you, Jennifer and I are really missing our Elks family! We will be traveling to visit as many lodges as we can this summer. As we move closer to the fall State Officer visitations, we are hopeful that Coronavirus trends will be down and state restrictions will be lifted to allow us to travel as a State Officer team to some of our districts.

Enjoy your summer!

Lugene Ignaffo
Ohio Elks State President

Berea Elks Lodge Make Masks For Food Donations

Several members of Berea Elks Lodge #1815 made protective masks for anyone who needed them in exchange for food and/or cash donations to the People’s Community Church food pantry located in Berea’s North End.

From left: Berea Elks Lodge #1815 Lodge Secretary Dianna Threadgill, Esteemed Lecturing Knight Danielle Mahany, Lodge Treasurer Margie Puchalski, and member Sharon Roncagli making masks.

Word spread of the work and Cleveland’s own Great Lakes Brewery donated $600 to the Church on behalf of the Berea Elks in exchange for 200 masks. To date, about 300 masks have been made by the members and over $1,000 in food and cash donations have been made to the pantry as a result. All materials to make the masks were donated by Berea Elks members.

These efforts augment a recent Gratitude Grant in the amount of $2,500 from the Elks National Foundation which also went to the church.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the church has seen a 100% increase in demand for food and supplies in the community due to large spike in unemployment. More than 200 local familes are being served by this work!

Elks Care - Elks (safely) share!

Local Van Wert Student Receives $2,000 Elks MVS Scholarship

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have announced the awarding of a $2,000 scholarship by the Elks National Foundation to Ryan Chen. The Elks National Foundation offers the “Most Valuable Student” scholarships for high school seniors entering college in the fall.  Mr. Chen graduated this spring from Van Wert High School and will be entering The Ohio Northern University and majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

During high school Ryan was a member of the Robotics Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Beta Club, German Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participated in the School Choir.    He also was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.

Ryan is a member of the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and is involved in the First United Methodist Church Youth Group. He also works at Sycamore Ice Cream in Van Wert.

Ryan resides in Van Wert and is the son of Jerry and Barb Chen.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships awarded each year.   Van Wert Lodge is proud to have been a sponsor for Aaron during this competition.

Athens Elks #973 Awards $5,000 in College Scholarships To Outstanding Local Students

During these difficult times, the Elks of Athens have continued to support the community.

In the month of April, Athens Elks Lodge #973 awarded five, $1,000 college scholarships to exemplary graduating high school students. The winning students provided recommendations from their teachers, had excellent GPAs, ACT/SAT scores as well as showed a lengthy history of community service. 

Those students included:

Amanda Carpenter (Attending Ohio University)
Bailey Zorn  (Attending Ohio University) 
Ryan Murphy (TBD)
Sam Carpenter (Attending Ohio University) 
Wyatt Montle  (Attending Missouri State University)

Newark Elks #391 & The OEA Making A Difference For Those With Cerebral Palsy

Through the Ohio Elks Association State Major Project, Cerebral Palsy,  Newark Elks Lodge #391 was awarded a $15,000 grant to benefit The Center for Disability Services.

During this time of limited contact, the clients who directly benefit from this grant are shown expressing their appreciation.

Let's Golf!

Marysville Lodge #1130 will be hosting the 2020 Ohio Elks State Golf Tournament on September 12th and 13th, 2020.  The tournament will be held at The Ridge and Darby Creek which features two 18-hole golf courses within 5 minutes of the Lodge property (both listed in top 10 in Central Ohio USGA approved).  For the third year in a row, the Ohio Elks State Golf tournament will offer both Stroke play and Scramble play formats for golfers to compete.  An 8:00 A.M. Shot Gun start will be used on Saturday for individual play on both courses and the Scramble tournament will shotgun at 12:30p.m.  at “The Ridge”.   An 8:00  A.M. Shot Gun start will be used Sunday morning for individuals’ flights with the Scramble Shotgun to follow at 12:30 P.M. at Darby Creek.  Both Stroke and Scramble play formats will be flighted after the completion of Saturday’s rounds.  Individual flight numbers will be split into Senior and Open with sub-flights set based on number of players.  The Scramble format will be broken into 2 flights heading into final round play to afford golfers of all skill levels a competitive tournament experience.

The entry fee for each format will be $125.00 per golfer which includes 36 holes of golf with a cart, lunch at the course, welcome gift bag and dinner (chicken or steak) at the Marysville Elks Lodge on Saturday night.  The tournament package including tournament formats, entry forms and lodging information has been mailed to each lodge.

We are asking for your assistance in getting this information out to the members of your lodge.  Marysville has been working hard to ensure all golfers and guests have a fantastic weekend of golf and fun!  As mentioned above, tournament information packets including entry form can be found at https://ohioelks.com/golf

Checks can be made out to the Ohio State Elks Golf Committee.  Thank you for your help in making this a memorable event!  If you have any questions regarding the tournament, please contact Rob “Otis” Nixon at Ohioelksgolf2020@gmail.com or Larry Ropp Larryropp@gmail.com or text Otis at 419-651-4465.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Honors Student of the Year

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, have selected Kaylie Tressler, senior at Vantage Career Center as the recipient of the Student of the Year for Van Wert Lodge.

Kaylie was selected as the Student of the Month for April.   She also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Trump.   Kaylie will graduate this spring from Paulding High School.

Students are nominated by their high schools to receive the Student of the Month 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.   

All of the Student of the Month winners are then judged for their performance and achievements for selection as the Student of the Year.   Kaylie received a monetary donation as well as a certificate.   She will now be competing for District Student of the Year against students from 12 other lodges within the district.

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.

Book Rooms for 91st Annual Fall Reunion

Members planning to attend the 91st Annual Ohio Elks Association Fall Reunion can reserve their rooms now online. The OEA has negotiated a fantastic rate of just $115 per night at the host hotel in Dublin, OH.

Visit the Fall Reunion web-page at https://ohioelks.com/fall-reunion for more details.

See you in Columbus in the Fall (hopefully!).

Stay Safe Everyone!

Upper Sandusky Elks #83 Helping Battle Hunger In Tough Times Across Wyandot County

In an effort to help the people of Wyandot County, the Upper Sandusky Elks recently distributed 120 backpacks and over $3,000 worth of food for the three county food pantries located in Upper Sandusky, Carey, and Sycamore.

This will allow them to provide much needed food for those families who are facing uncertain futures due to the current health situation facing the country.

This program would also not be as successful without the continued partnership with Kimmel Corporation and A&A Grocery who support this program every year!