Athens Elks #973 Makes Back To School Better For Local Kids

Athens Elk's Lodge #973 purchased 1,800 in school supplies and packed almost 60 backpacks for area schools.  Money was made available through the Elks National Foundation (ENF) Beacon grant. 

From left: SEOYM Jim Salazman, and from Athens Elk's Lodge 973 Rich Russell, Tom Donnley, Ernie Perry, Tim Lairson,  Ryan Burk and Todd Zorn.

Newark Elks #391 Educating Kids at Rally in the Ally

Every year, Newark City Schools holds a “Rally in the Ally” for underprivileged and at risk middle and high school students. Available at the Rally are school supplies, backpacks, uniform shirts and pants, and hygiene items as well as giveaway items such as bicycles all supplied by different businesses and fraternal lodges in the area.

This year, along with the uniform shirts, the Newark Elks Lodge #391 provided Drug Awareness items to the students and parents. The kids were handed bags with all the DAP pamphlets, coloring books for younger siblings, pencils and bookmarks inside. The kids also received DAP wrist bands, flying rings, lanyards, and the big item of the day, sunglasses.

The sunglasses went on right away (it was a very sunny day!) and the flying rings went on their heads like a crown! Once one kid started the “fashion statement” others followed immediately. There were kids all over the place with DAP red flying rings on their heads.

It was surprising to see how quickly the kids followed each other with the rings. It is our hope that we can educate enough kids about the dangers of drugs that they will again “follow” each other and NOT do drugs!

Berea Elks #1815 Making Back To School Even Better

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 delivered 100 custom backpacks today to Berea-Midpark Middle School. Each backpack was stuffed with all the school supplies needed for students entering the 5th grade. In all, just over $5,500 in school supplies were donated to help reduce the financial burden on families with kids going back to school in just a few weeks.

The backpacks were delivered in the school’s colors and emblazoned with the Berea Titans logo.

The project was made possible by utilizing an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant combined with a Spotlight Grant. The lodge intends to make this an ongoing project for years to come.

From left: Berea Elks members, Bill Maloney, Lenny Oliveri, Lora Volpe, Jeff Coyle, Dianna Threadgill, Eric Banks, with Berea-Midpark Middle School Principal Nick Discenza.

South Central District Sponsors Fishing Outing With Local VA

South Central District Elks sponsored a fishing outing July 23, 2021 for 20 plus Veterans from the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Veteran’s Administration Social workers provided care and assistance with different tasks during the afternoon. Fishing equipment was furnished and lots of help was provided for each deserving Veteran.  Food consisted of sub sandwiches, water, soft drinks, chips and cookies.

The fellowship was good and a wonderful afternoon was had by all.

Maumee-Bowling Green Elks #1850 Present Cerebral Palsy Check To Sunshine Communities

Maumee-Bowling Green Elks Lodge #1850 presented an $11,000 Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Fund check to the Sunshine Communities, Inc., a 501(c)3 in Northwest Ohio that helps people of all ages with developmental disabilities. This will help fund a roll-in shower and other projects that will help improve the lives of the residents.  The Maumee-BG Lodge and Sunshine Communities have been partnering up for over 20 years, as part of the Cerebral Palsy State of Ohio Elks major project.   

Exalted Ruler Larry “Bubba” Stadler (center) presents check to Sunshine Communities staff.

Berea Elks #1815 Supports "National Night Out" with Berea Police

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 partnered with the Berea Police Department for the “National Night Out” at Coe Lake in Berea. The event is designed to connect local law enforcement with the community to create constructive and positive relationships and to improve overall community engagement.

The lodge brought the Northeast District drug education trailer to the event, handed out candy, and even had a surprise visit from Elroy The Elk. The event drew about 200 kids and parents from the local area and was a great success!

Elroy the Elks with Berea’s Chief of Police Dan Clark

Ohio Elks Endowment Blackstone Grill Raffle at Fall Reunion!

The Ohio Elks Endowment Fundraiser Committee will be having a raffle on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at the Fall Reunion in Dublin, Ohio. This annual event will be held in the Main Ballroom of the hotel.

A flyer with information has been sent to every Lodge. The featured raffle prize this year is a Blackstone Grill. This grill would be a great addition for the cook at your house, or for the cook at your Lodge!

Because of the short notification of the decision to hold the Reunion, there are no tickets being sold by the Lodges prior to the event. All ticket sales will be at the convention. That means: your chances of winning are better than ever!

So, come prepared to $upport the Endowment Fund and have some fun!

Lime Elks #54 Honors Local Eagle Scout

Lima Lodge #54 attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Deakin Hiestand where we presented an American Flag and the Elks Eagle Scout Certificate framed for hanging. We also presented the GER Congratulatory letter, the GER Certificate of Merit and the Elks & Scouting pin.

Berea Elks #1815 Helps Local Fire Department Improve Water Safety

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 donated $3,000 from an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the City of Berea Fire Department to purchase new life jackets for the department to use in water rescues. Recently three lives were lost in a drowning in a nearby lake which has caused the fire department to review their safety response and equipment capabilities. These fund will help the department secure about 25 life jackets. Additionally, the department will use these funds to purchase a new reporting software system that will safe the department hundreds of hours a year in reporting time, better served to training and supporting the community

From left: Richard Threadgill, PER Berea Elks Lodge #1815 and Chief Terry Ledwell of Berea Fire Department

Findlay Elks #75 Hosts Benefit Concert for Flag City Honor Flight

Findlay Elks Lodge #75 hosted a benefit concert for Flag City Honor Flight on July 11.  Approximately 300 people attended the concert on the lawn at the lodge.  The concert raised more than $5,500 in cash donations and contributed an additional $3,500 in donated services to Honor Flight.  Honor Flight provides transportation to, from and around Washington, DC to allow our senior veterans, and their escorts, a chance to personally visit the war memorials in our capitol. 

Lima and Kenton Elks Lodges Sponsor Local Youth Swim Meet

Lima Elks Lodge #54 and Kenton Elks Lodge #157 sponsored the WOAL (Western Ohio Aquatic League) Championship Swim Meet on July 9th and 10th, at the Kenton pool. Over 500 swimmers representing 8 swim teams from 5 counties participated in this event.

Winner who placed 7th through 16th received ribbons. Elks members presented medallions to the top six winners of each event. In addition, the 1st place winner for each individual and relay event received a t-shirt. The winning team was Bluffton.

Thanks go to Jim Plumb, Jim Foust and Jean Zink from Lima Lodge #54 and Earl LeVan and Nate Davis from Kenton Lodge #157 for their assistance with this event.

This event was started by Lima Lodge #54 over 40 years ago. It grew so large so quickly that we partnered with the WOAL. This event is the capstone event of the summer swimming season and is now known as the Elks Invitational Swim Meet and WOAL Championships.

Lima Elks #54 Sponsor Local Youth Golf Tournamant

Lima Elks Lodge #54 sponsored the Lima Junior Golf Association (LJGA) Elks Invitational Tournament of Champions held at Shawnee Country Club.

Over 200 youth golfers participate in the LJGA summer program, playing in 14 tournaments at courses throughout West Central Ohio. The top 34 golfers are then invited to the capstone event, the Elks Invitational Tournament of Champions.

1st and 2nd place trophies were awarded at the banquet held that evening. We congratulate these winners:

Girls 16-18
Bridget Mulcahy
Lydia Dietz

Girls 15 & Under
Kalie McKinley
Elle Gable

Boys 16-18
Andrew Moore
Carson Harmon

Boys 14-15
Louis Magoto
Neal Peterson

Boys 12-13
Evan Altenburger
Brody Miller

Gallipolis Elks #107 Supports Local Food Pantry

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 used a $2,000 Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation to support the Grace United Methodist Church Food Pantry.  Marlene Stout, administrator of the food pantry will use the funds to have fresh meat, sausage and hamburger, available for their customers.  Currently, the food pantry is helping to support the needs of about 185 people weekly.  Their expectation is that this number will increase over the coming weeks because of the reduction of benefits to the needy.

Receiving the check from Fred Bryant, Gallipolis Elks Secretary (center) is  Marlene Stout (right)  and Volunteer Bev Young (left).

Chillicothe Elks #52 Present Cerebral Palsy Check To Pioneer School

Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52, through the Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Fund, has awarded $3,900 to Pioneer School to fund student sensory boxes. Due to the pandemic this past year, the current sensory room items were limited to only certain students who had very specific sensory needs. With the limited space and interactions to meet protocols, many students were struggling with these changes because the need for sensory input is not something that can be scheduled. With input from Pioneer’s therapy staff and intervention specialists, sensory boxes were created for each student. Beth Montgomery and Linda Overly, Members of the Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52, presented the check to Education Services Director Regina Speas last month. The Ohio Elks Cerebral Palsy Fund Board was created to maintain, administer, contribute, and donate funds or property to any Ohio Chapter or branch of any nationally recognized or local organization in Ohio which maintains, as a function, the care, treatment, training, and rehabilitation of individuals with Cerebral Palsy.

Pictured:  Left - Grant Coordinator Beth Montgomery, middle -ER Linda Overly, right -Education Services Director  Regina Speas

Van Wert Elks #1197 Support Local Scout Council

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $125.00 to the Black Swamp Area Council, Boys Scouts of America.   The donation is part of the annual Friends of Scouting fund raising campaign

The Black Swamp Council which is headquartered in Findlay covers thirteen counties.  It provides two camps, Camp Berry near Findlay and Camp Lakota near Defiance for the scouts to hold activities at and attend summer camp.  The Friends of Scouting campaign contributions held the Council fund camping programs, adult and youth training programs.    For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been instilling the values embodied in the Scout Oath and Law, the Scout Motto, “Be Prepared” and the Scout Slogan, “Do a Good Turn Daily”.   The council provides scouting programs to 6,300 youth.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has a history of supporting Boy Scouts.   Many lodges nationwide sponsor scout troops and provide a location for them to meet as well.   The Elks provides monies annually to the scouts for camping equipment and helps to sponsor camping trips as well.

Pictured are: Greg Amstutz from the Black Swamp Council accepting the check from Lodge Chaplain Larry Miller

Fremont Elks Lodge #169 Honors America

Larry Cronin (pictured standing next to the beautiful Veterans Monument in the early morning hours.) is a very dedicated Fremont Elks Lodge #169 member. For more than 39 years Larry, at 83 years young, has taken on the very proud responsibility of maintaining the 22 American Flags that grace our Flag Park most recently renamed Veterans Memorial Park directly across from the Lodge.

Every day starting on Memorial day to Labor Day our nation’s 22 Flags are placed at sunrise and retired at dusk. Every Spring the first thing is to drill and clean out the holes filled with debris over the winter. Larry has replaced the poles with vinyl ones and the flags are replaced every three years by our Sandusky County Commissioners. A weekly calendar schedule is created, duty starts in Sunday and ends the following Saturday. Certainly a wonderful way to start and end your day seeing our Red, White, Blue flying in the breeze!

Elks Lodge #169 and Community Youth proudly marched with our 22 American Flags in the annual 4th of July Parade. With the help of the Camp fire girls, Fremont Recreation Girls and Boys Baseball team members we marched the parade route lined with Community residents with our American Flags flying high.

Elk Member Ken Myers, PER/Chaplain Neil Staib, State Veterans Chairman/PER Mary Beaston, Member Bill Keating, Esteem Leading Knight Nick Walker, Sacred Heart Student Addison Reihl.

Our youth grouped around Ohio States “Big Nut” for this memorable picture shot.

Ohio Elks Association Endowment Grows Through Lodge Donations in June

The following lodges across Ohio made notable June Endowment Donations:

Circleville #77
Lebanon #422  (Chris Hatcher)
Ravenna #1076
Willoughby Cleveland #18
Findlay #75 (Pat McCaffrey)
Marysville #1130 (Nevin Taylor)

 Also in June, we had a Silver Level Donor (a single donation of $5,000 or more)

The Northeast District

Thank you all for your June contributions to the Endowment Fund.

PSP Jack Minarchick
Endowment Treasurer

Columbus-Grove City Elks #37 Celebrate Flag Day

On June 13, 2021 Columbus/Grove City held its annual Flag Day Ceremony presided by Sharon Cooper, ER. with the following officers participating.  Randy Seymour, Esteemed Leading Knight; Jim Miller, Esteemed Loyal Knight; Therese Gillispie, Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Warren Grody, PER serving in Esquire position, Charles Sheldon, Chaplain; Mira Cremeans, organist.

Member Jim Gillispie presented The Response.

Angelo Nocero, Inner Guard, organized several of our Veterans in the readings of The Flag:It's History with each veteran presenting the appropriate history as the Flag's were presented by our local ROTC cadets from Grove City High School.  Presiding Cadets: Caroline Richards, Jordan Burley, David Nierman, Zoey Morgan, Rianna McCall, Jay Corbin, Samantha Paduchik and Makayla Jones.

Ohio Elks Association Fall Reunion Online Pre-Registration Now Open!

Online pre-registration for the 91st Annual Ohio Elks Association Fall Reunion is now open! Join your fellow Elks members in Columbus August 20-22 at the Columbus Marriott Northwest in Dublin, OH for a weekend of fellowship and fun.

Pre-register now for the Fall Reunion and the annual Fun Nite event. Pre-registration is open through July 29th. See you in Columbus!

https://ohioelks.com/fall-reunion

Jackson Elks #466 Donates $15,500 to Local Cerebral Palsy Organizations

On June 15th, during our annual Flag Day Services, Jackson Elks Lodge #466 presented an Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Grant for $10,000 to benefit Jackson County Board of Development Disabilities and $5,500 to benefit Vinton County Board of Development Disabilities.

From left: Exalted Ruler Mary Bachtel, District CP Chairman Lynn Denny, Don Jenkins Principal of Jackson Co Board of Development Disabilities, Jeri Trainer President of Vinton Co Board of Development Disabilities, Jackson Elks CP Chairman Alvie Pelfrey