Lima Elks #54 Sponsors Local Youth Orchestra Concert

Lima Elks Lodge #54 sponsored the Lima Symphony Orchestra Young People's Concert. Approximately 2,000 students from 7 counties attended.

The concert titled "M is For Music," was directed by Maestro Andrew Crust and included the chinanigans from award-winning Canadian writer, actor and filmaker Shauna Johanneson. The concert provided the students with an introduction to symphonic music with easily recognized pieces including William Tell Overture, selections from West Side Story, Flight of the Bumblebee and Star Wars.

This sponsorship of the Lima Symphony Orchestra Young People's Concert from Lima Lodge #54  was made possible from the Grand Lodge Beacon Grant and from the Lima Fifty Four Athletic and Scholastic Fund.

Columbus-Grove City Elks #37 Make Shop with a Cop a Great Success

Columbus-Grove City Elks Lodge#37 is once again honored to partner with Grove City Police Department with a check for $3,000 from our charity contributions.  This year the Police plan on shopping with over 21 children in the community to assist them with Christmas.  The children referred are very well screened to assure the neediest are served in this wonderful program. 

Pictured in the photo is Officer M Cobb, Sharon Cooper ER, Jenn Kentner from Grove City Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Officer K Warren.

Ashland Elks #1360 Helps First Responders Treat Emergencies

Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 presented a check on Friday to purchase new vacuum splints for the Ashland Fire Service. The money was obtained through the Ohio Elks Association community service grant. The grant ear marks $18,000 annually to be used to purchase equipment for local municipalities and community first responders. In total 6 splints in different sizes were purchased. Vacuum splints are critical for trauma related injuries including joint dislocations, subluxations and fractures in the arms and legs.

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Celebrate Local Veterans

Columbus Grove City Elks #37 proudly served 17 of our Veterans a free dinner along with over 50 other members. Following the meal Sharon Cooper, Exalted Ruler greeted each one and thanked them for their service.  They were then led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Following, had a moment of silence for those who either lost their lives during their time of service or are missing in action.  

Angelo Nocera, Veterans Commision Chair then opened the floor for Karaoke.  Was a fun night for all that were in the building. 

Berea Elks #1815 Help Fight Hunger This Holiday Season

Members of Berea Elks Lodge #1815 volunteered at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank tonight! sorting over 18,000 lbs of donated food into over 600 boxes! The lodge regularly helps the food bank serve thousands of people all acorss NE Ohio every year.

Ohio Elks Donate to Chalmers Wylie Veterans Care Center’s Thanksgiving Baskets Event

The Ohio Elks took the opportunity to help the veterans at the Chalmers P Wylie Ambulatory Care Center by donating 600 cans of green beans.

The hospital asked for help in putting together Thanksgiving Baskets to be given to the veterans in need in the Columbus, Ohio area who visit the Care Center. The baskets will contain a canned ham, green beans, potatoes, boxed dressing and other donated food items.

The need for food has increased this year for some of the veterans at this facility and the hospital department employees will work together to give the baskets to those who have the greatest need for food this holiday.

Pictured is Chalmers Wylie VAVS employee Steve Schruers and Ohio Elks VAVS Rep Becky Underhill.

Kids Still Like Free Stuff in Gallipolis, Ohio

On a Thursday evening, October 28, 2021, the City of Gallipolis had their Trick or Treat from 5:30 to 6:30pm. The Drug Awareness team used this event to pass out Drug Awareness packets containing, candy, coloring books and Drug Awareness handouts. A total of 327 packets where handed out containing 8,175 pieces of Drug Awareness information. The Team, composed of Tara Martin (the Drug Awareness Chairman of the Elks Emblem Club #199) and Tammi Sommer (the Elks Lodge #107 Champlain & also the President of the Emblem Club #199). The Team did a great job and everyone involved had a good time.

Salem Elks #305 Hosts Trunk or Treat

Salems Elks Lodge #305 recently hosted a Trunk o Treat. All participating trick-or-treaters were given a drug awareness bag. These bags contained coloring books, bookmarks and pamphlets regarding the dangers of current day drugs.

Front: Emmerson Blevins, Elroy the Elk (Jeff Chapman), Owen Blevins, Sophia Gorby. Back: Henna Gash and Landon Blevins

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Spread Awareness This Halloween Season

Columbus-Grove City Elks Lodge #37 participated in 2021 “Boo off Broadway” in Downtown Grove City on Saturday Oct 30, 2021.  We were honored to have a visit from Elroy.  The event saw over 1,500 children filter through collecting treats and gifts.  Our lodge passed out in DAP bags:  DAP small football,  toy, Frisbee, mask, coloring book, crayons, and of course candy.  Our Drug Awareness Chair Trish McClure and her husband, Hugh McClure (Elroy) did a wonderful job and fun was had by all who participated.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Honors Student's of the Month

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have selected Maisee Short and Ellie Vining, seniors at Crestview 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.

From left: Ellie Vining, Maisee Short and Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair.

Athens Elks #973 Supports Local Halloween Tradition

Ohio Elks Drug Awareness State Chairman representing his home lodge, Athens #973 became "Elroy the Elk" for a night in Athens County, Ohio to pass out  drug awareness materials during trick or treating in Albany, Ohio.

Pictured is Elks State Drug Awareness Chairman Dave Williams (Elroy the Elk) along with some Halloween trick or treat children receiving DAP materials from Elroy.

Salem Elks #305 Helps Local Fire Department Stay Safe

Salem Elks Lodge #305 presented an Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant for $750 along with additional funds from the Salem Community Foundation from our 501c3 gaming proceeds to purchase CO2 detectors for the fire fighters to wear when entering a home or business.

Present were James Armeni, Sr Vice Chairman; Steven Bailey, Chairman of the township trustees; Brad Smith Asst Chief; Kim Chapman, PER/CSG Chairman and Chief Doug Messimer of the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department.

Newark Elks 391 Hosts Fundraiser for Fragile X Syndrome

Newark Elks Lodge #391 hosted another successful golf outing for Cincinnati Children’s Fragile X Center. In 2015, a fellow Elk, Jerry Wieber, passed. He has 3 grandsons with Fragile X Syndrome which is the most common form of inherited, intellectual, and developmental disability and the leading known genetic cause of autism.

His son Zach, wife Leslie, and their 3 boys’ dedication to research and their positive impact on the local and national FX community resulted in Cincinnati Children’s Fragile X Center in 2018 being renamed to the Wieber Family Fragile X Center.

The Elks #391 has graciously hosted these successful fundraisers every year collecting over $41,000 to help with research at Children’s in finding a cure for Fragile X Syndrome which Jerry believed was in reach for his 3 grandsons. The Elks' continued support shows their dedication in helping many organizations achieve their goals.

Pictured from left to right: Zach Wieber, Ty Wieber, Brock Wieber, Drew Wieber, and Leslie Wieber

Fremont Lodge #169 Member Honored As Veterans Volunteer of the Year

At the Ohio Elks Association Northwest District meeting, Edward "Joe" Eberly was presented with the Veterans Volunteer of the Year award for 2020-2021 for his service to our country and for his many years of service to Veterans. Joe is a Past Exalted Ruler of Fremont Lodge #169.

Pictured are: The Family; Jacob Eberly, Patrich Eberly (grandsons), Nicholas Eberly (son), the honoree Edward "Joe" Eberly. Presenting the awards are Mary Beaston, Fremont Lodge #169, State President Lugene Ignaffo, Greenville Lodge #1139 and Trustee Chairman Thomas Pavlik, Ashland Lodge #1360. Not pictured is Lezlie Eberly (daughter-in-law).

Edward “Joe” Eberly’s volunteer work has provided friendship and honor for over 20 years. As a Hospice volunteer, he has sat with both veterans and non-veterans to comfort them in their final weeks and provide peace of mind. He honors veterans thru his participation at funerals where he gives the final prayer and presents the American flag to the family. He assists veterans with their health by driving them to their medical appointments at the VA. He is often called in when another driver cannot fulfill their duty and hapily takes over the driving duties. He has participated in many charity events thru the Elks, American Legion, and VFW where his efforts have enriched the lives of many veterans. Many of times, the love of his life, his wife Polly (also a Veteran) who he met during the Korean War would be right by his side to accompany him to volunteer and participate in these acts of love and kindness.

As State Chairman of the Elks National Veterans Service Commission of the Ohio Elks Association what an honor it is for me today to present this prestigious Veteran Volunteer of the Year award for 2020-2021 to Edward “Joe” Eberly, PER of Fremont Elks Lodge #169. Joe – “we all” thank you for your service to our country and for your continued unselfish service to our Veterans for so many years. Congratulations Joe on receiving this distinguished reward and may God bless you and everything you do always.

Newark Elks 391 Donates to Chalmers Wylie Veterans Care Center

Newark Elks Lodge #391 was able to help Columbus, Ohio veterans. The lodge donated $270 worth of backpacks and $170 worth of blankets, winter hats, gloves, and men’s and women’s underwear.

The items came from donations from lodge members.

Pictured left to right are Chalmers Wylie Volunteer Services personnel, Shedrick Siler; Ohio Elks VAVS Rep and 391 Esquire Becky Underhill; and Chalmers Wylie Volunteer Services personnel Stephen Schruers.

Pictured left to right are Chalmers Wylie Volunteer Services personnel, Shedrick Siler; Ohio Elks VAVS Rep and 391 Esquire Becky Underhill; and Chalmers Wylie Volunteer Services personnel Stephen Schruers.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Lights Up Local Park

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $750 to the Village of Wren.     The monies were used by the village to put up new LED lights in their park.   This will provide better lighting within the park at night for those who use it.

The monies are distributed by the Ohio Elks Association in the form of a Community Service Grant.   The Ohio Elks Association receives monies each year from the Elks National Foundation, a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.   Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by close to one million Elks and their families and friends from more than 2,000 Elks Lodges across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

To date, thru the Community Service Grants, Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 has distributed over $34,893.76 back into Van Wert County to assist the city, county and villages.

Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be able to assist the Village of Wren with this important project.

Elroy Celebrates Jackson Apple Festival Promoting Drug Awareness

Jackson Elks Lodge# 466 welcomed Elroy the Elk from The Elks Drug Awareness Program. Elroy participated in The Jackson Apple Festival Parade on Saturday evening Sept.25th. He is pictured with several local youth that walked with him in the parade that evening.

Salem Elks #305 Celebrates Students Staying Drug Free

Salem Elks Lodge #305 made a presentation to the Drug Awareness Program State winners. OEA checks were presented, medallions with place, contest and student's name on the back, sling backpack and many goodies inside of each. A shout-out to their teachers Jennifer Welch and Kathy Zurbrugg.

Poster winners L-R: 3rd Faith Capron Sanor, 2nd Trevor Bails, 1st Logan Baker, Kim Chapman, PER/ DAP Chairman, Essay winners L-R: 3rd Sean Hoffman, 2nd Paige Menough and 1st William Panteleris. What an awesome bunch of kids and two great teachers. 

Poster winners L-R: 3rd Faith Capron Sanor, 2nd Trevor Bails, 1st Logan Baker, Kim Chapman, PER/ DAP Chairman, Essay winners L-R: 3rd Sean Hoffman, 2nd Paige Menough and 1st William Panteleris. What an awesome bunch of kids and two great teachers. 

Lima Elks #54 Helps Local Fire Department Keep Rolling

Lima Elks Lodge #54 presented the Cridersville Volunteer Fire Company Inc. with funding totaling $750 for the purchase of 4 new tires for the Chief’s Command vehicle.

These funds were made possible from the Ohio Elks Association’s Community Service Grant.

This donation is an expression of the commitment by the Lima Elks Lodge #54 to serve local communities in Allen County, Putnam County and eastern Auglaize County.

For more information about the Elks, please logon to elks.org to learn of the many programs available to youth and veterans in our communities.

Pictured are Fire Chief Rick Miller and Exalter Ruler Jim Plumb.

Gallipolis Elks #107 Supports Gallia County Snack Pack

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 donated $3,450 to the Gallia County Snack Pack Program.  The donation was made possible by a $2,500 Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation along with an additional $950 from the Gallipolis Elks. 

The Gallia County Snack Pack program provides ready to eat food to grade school children over the weekends when other sources of food are not available.  The donation was presented to representatives of the Gallia County Snack Pack

From left: Henry Dillon, Carol Norris, Cathy Gholston, Pat Dillon, Gallipolis Elks representative Fred Bryant, Lisa Ward, Nancy Smith, Nancy Blevins and not pictured is Karen Bryant.