Defiance Lodge #147 Helps Local Veterans in Need

Defiance Elks Lodge #147 prepared 50 bags full of essentials items for our local veterans, plus $500 worth of food to donate to them as well. All made possible with the$2,500 Freedom Grant from the Elks National Foundation. A huge thank you to Nicole Nolan and her son Michael Nolan(pictured)for their volunteer hours to shop and prepare the donations to be distributed.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Support Council on Aging

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $1,250 to the Van Wert County Council on Aging to be used for senior transportation.  The monies are from a Gratitude Grant the lodge received from the Elks National Foundation. Gratitude Grants are given to lodges that meet their per-capita goal of donations to 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 the Covid 19, the Council on Aging is unable to hold some of their annual fundraiser events.   These funds will enable them to provide transportation to our senior citizens for shopping as well as doctor and medical appointments.

Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the Council on Aging with this important assistance they provide.

From left: Bill Sanderson, COA driver, Kevin Matthews, COA Director, Jenny Lichtenberger, COA staff and Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman. 

Athens Elks #973 Helps Local Families This Holiday Season

Athens Elks lodge #973 concluded held their annual Christmas Raffle Fundraiser. The proceeds of this fundraiser allowed the lodge to deliver Christmas baskets to 96 families in need. These baskets contained three weeks of food including milk, bread, potatoes, meat, fruits and canned goods. Along with the food baskets we gave presents to 215 kids. We had many volunteers from the lodge to pack up the suppliers and distribute to those in need.

Chillicothe Lodge #52 Brings Holidays Dinners to Veterans

The holiday season has been incredibly different this year and many traditions have succumbed to the COIVD 19 pandemic. Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 would normally be wrapping up our annual Veterans Christmas dinner/party, but this year the holiday was celebrated a little differently! Instead of bringing our veterans to the lodge for a Christmas party/dinner, we took the festivities straight to them! We were able to provide Christmas dinners to 7 veteran groups homes, a total of 60 veterans. They were also gifted with stocking stuffers! We would like to thank the other lodges that donated to this yearly event and would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped make this possible. A special thanks to our Loyal Knight Seth Kellenberger for chairing the event. Even though the annual celebration is a highlight of many of our veterans, we hope we were still able to spread some holiday cheer! Merry Christmas!

Loyal Knight Seth Kellenberger making a delivery to one of 7 veteran homes.

Newark Lodge #391 Support Wreaths Across America Day

Even with all the differences 2020 brought, to Wreaths Across America Day laying the wreaths remained the same.   Remembering those lives lost, Honoring the men and women who fought for our freedom, and Teaching our children the meaning of it all is what Wreaths Across America is all about.

With a joint effort between the Civil Air Patrol, The Heritage Girls and Newark Lodge 391, 1,061 wreaths were purchased and laid on veteran’s graves.

It is hard to see their faces with the mandatory face coverings and no group pictures because of social distancing but members and guests of Newark Lodge 391 were honored to lay the wreaths.

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Exalted Ruler, Steve Deedrick

Wreaths Across America lodge chairman, Dave Underhill

Newark Elks Lodge #391 members Randy and Marie Rogers.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Support Angel Tree Project

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

Salem Elks #305 Lays Wreaths for Veterans

Salem Elks Lodge #305 had the honor to attend the Wreaths for Veterans Laying Ceremony at Hope Cemetery today. 1,000 wreaths in less than 2 hours. 

The names...some a familiar family, dates... astonishing, as old as 1812 and the bronze markers... familiar wars, but one I had to ask "GAR" refers to: the Grand Army of the Republic during the Civil War. Those members assisting were Ed Connors, Kim Chapman, Randy Malmsberry, Pam and Wayne Gorby, not pictured were Rich Lobdell and Terry Shasteen. We thank our Lodge for donating $1,000 through the Salem Community Foundation towards this wonderful cause.

Ohio Elks Share with Veterans

The Ohio Elks provided men’s and women’s warm winter coats and gloves to those veterans in need at Chalmers Wylie Veterans Ambulatory Care Center. Also donated were snacks for the snack cupboard at the hospital and Elk bags for men and women full of hats, underwear, socks, toiletries, hand warmers, face coverings, playing cards, snacks and a candy cane.

A BIG THANK YOU goes to the Columbia Factory Store for providing the warm winter coats and helping this representative get the most for our Elk dollars.

The donated items were accepted by Chalmers Wylie Volunteer Services personnel Anna and Emily.

Pictured left to right are Emily and Anna with Chalmers Wylie and Becky Underhill, VAVS Rep.

Defiance Elks #147 Continues to Help Veterans In Need

Defiance Elks Lodge #147 continued their tradition of delivering Christmas gift cards to veterans residing in the Defiance area assisted living facilities. This year with donations from our Elks Annual Veterans Breakfast and the lodge, we were able to deliver 58 gift cards totaling $2,900.

From left: Jim Tingle, Elks representative is handling Danita Tyrell, Director of Activities at SKLD, their gift cards.

Athens Elks #973 Conducts A Record Initiation Class

Athens Elks Lodge #973 initiated a record 14 members while following social distancing and safety guidelines. It was a testament to the community's interest and commitment to the values of this organization.

Salem Elks Lodge #305 Uses Beacon Grant To Bring Holiday Cheers To Local Families

Salem Elks Lodge #305 received a $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant towards Christmas baskets to help 10 families with a total of 23 children.

A $1,000 check was presented to Lt. Angel of the Salem Salvation Army from our Lodge through the Salem Community Foundation to purchase $100 gift cards for each family. We had anonymous donations too.

Pictures are Kim Chapman, ER and Pam Gorby, ENF Chairman.

Defiance Elks #147 Honors State Membership Leader

Defiance Elks Lodge #147 recently awarded Exalted Ruler Jeremy Coffman with his Grand Lodge membership watch. Jeremy led the state in new members. He was supposed to be recognized at the State Convention, but due to the cancellation his award was delayed. Congratulations Jeremy, Defiance #147 is very proud of you!

Gallipolis Elks #107 Continues To Help Those in Need

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 used a $2,500 Freedom Grant from the Elks National Foundation to donate $500 to each of the five food banks in our area. Personal hygiene items were also donated to Grace United Methodist church to be included in the care packages that were sent to active military members from our area.

Pictured is Marlene Stout, Administrator of the Grace United Methodist Church Food Bank and Per Rick Borton, Gallipolis Elks 107 and South Central District Activities Chairman.

Berea & Lakewood Elks Partner to Battle Hunger

Members from Berea Elks Lodge #1815 and Lakewood Elks Lodge #1350 partnered with the Cleveland Food Bank helping to pack over 11,000 pounds of food for those in the region that need it most. In all, 19 members and spouses from both lodges worked to help the food bank reach families across NE Ohio in need of food.

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Makes Huge Impact in Community

Columbus-Grove City Elks Lodge #37,have made a huge impact in the community, donating nearly $18,000 to a variety of local charities and community organizations. These funds are generated by purchasing the tickets in the lounge

In normal years, these funds would be distributed in person, but due to the variety of covid-related restrictions, in person ceremonies were not possible. The local organizations that received donations include: 

Angel Tree
Bolton Crossing PTA
Central Crossing Athletic Boosters
Central Crossing Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
Grove City Band Booster
Groveport Special Olympics
Speak! For the Unspoken
St Vincent De Paul O.L.P.H.
Westland JR ROTC

The Lodge also joined forces with Grove City Police Department this season, donating $2,000 for their Shop with a Cop program.

From left: Sharon Cooper (Secretary), Steve Roper (House Committee Representative), Phil Mcelfresh (ER), Jennifer Kentner, Jim Miller (Lecturing Knight), and Karen Halley (Loyal Knight)

The lodge also donated $2,000 from an Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to the VA Center in Chillicothe to help veteran residents at the facility.

Not to be outdone, Columbus - Grove City lodge member, Steve Bair and his wife challenged the lodge to generate $1 per member to give to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Restoration efforts. The challenge was met by raising and donating $546!

Finally, in addition to the various monetary donations, the lodge hosted a blood drive with the American Red Cross and had 41 people donate to the much needed effort.

Gallipolis Elks #107 Donates to Gallia Co. Snack Pack

Gallipolis Elks #107 donated $3,122 to the Gallia County Snack Pack Program..  This donation was made possible by a $2,500 grant from the Elks National Foundation along with $622 from the Gallipolis Elks. 

Receiving the checks is Nancy Blevins, Snack Pack Treasurer, from PER Rick Borton, South Central District Activities Chairman and Past Exalted Ruler of the Gallipolis Elks.  Pictured left to right: Nancy Smith, Vice Chairperson, Gallia Co. Snack Pack; volunteers Karen Bryant, Pat Dillon, Harry Dillon, Nancy Blevins and PER Rick Borton.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Honor Students of the Month

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have selected Grace R. Doctor and Allison A. Schaufelberger, seniors at Van Wert High School as the recipients of the Students of the Month for October.

 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: Grace Doctor, Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair and Allison Schaufelberger.

Defiance Elks #147 Donate New Clothes To Local Children

Recently a small group of volunteers gathered at Defiance Lodge #147 to organize and bag new outfits for approximately 240 children. They worked in conjunction with the Defiance City School Administration. The Lodge used a $3,500 Elks National Foundation Grant along with members donations to help clothe area children from head to toe.

Ohio Elks Deliver The Beans...for our Veterans.

Ohio Elks VAVS Rep for Chalmers Wylie Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus, Becky Underhill along with Deputy Rep, Dave Underhill delivered 42 cases of green beans to the Care Center.  The green beans will be used for the Chalmers Wylie “drive thru” Thanksgiving Dinner.

Veterans will be able to drive through the parking and collect their baskets containing enough food for a Thanksgiving dinner while being protected from Covid-19.

The purchase of the 504 cans of green beans was made possible by the National Elks Veterans Service Commission through the Ohio Elks.

Pictured is Dave and Becky Underhill from the Newark Elks Lodge 391.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Supports Local Veterans

Athens Elks lodge #973 used an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant from to purchase $1,700 in gift cards to donate to our local veterans.

The attached picture shows our Elks Members Rich Russell, Tim Lairson and Jim Herpy and with Athens County Veterans Court Judge George McCarthy and veterans treatment coordinator Jenn Eskey.   

The attached picture shows our Elks Members Rich Russell, Tim Lairson and Jim Herpy and with Athens County Veterans Court Judge George McCarthy and veterans treatment coordinator Jenn Eskey.