Toledo-Sylvania Elks #53 Makes Donation to Ohio Veterans Home

Toledo Sylvania Elks Lodge #53 held 50-50 raffles, and a Patriot Day tribute to our Veterans. We were able to honor local Veterans with dinner and tote bags. Our members more than exceeded our expectations with donations.

Checks totaling for $1757.72 were presented to Mary Beaston, Ohio State Veterans Services for the Sandusky Veterans Home at the NW District meeting held at Kenton Lodge #157.

This donation will be used to purchase iPods and Apple gift cards to download music to inhance the Music Therapy program for the Veterans.

Pictured: PDDGER Duane Haas, Leading Knight Jamie Barricklow, Treasurer PER Charles Hilyard Jr. PER TerryR Harrison, State Veterans Chairman Mary Beaston, ER Terri A. Harrison, Secretary Betty Felton

2022 Elk Leadership Kollege Registration 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 26, 2022.  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 held at the Newark Elks Lodge #391.

Berea Elks #1815 Raise $2,500 For Law Enforcement Survivors With Dart Tournament

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 held a charity darts tournament to benefit the U.S. Marshal’s Survivor’s Benefit Fund (USMSBF) and the family of Shane Bartek, a Cleveland Police officer who was recently murdered in a car jacking while he was off-duty in Cleveland.

The event rasied more than $2,000 for USMSBF and more than $500 for the Bartek family as 22 dart teams competed throughout the day for the top prize of tournament champion!

Dart teams from local area Elks lodges and various law enforcement offices all competed in a fun and lively event where old friendships strengthened and new friendships were made.

Many thanks to lodge Trustee Art Bowker for putting together such a great event and congratualtions to all the winners!

South Central Elks Support Veterans During The Holidays

With the help of South Central Elks and other local organizations, Elks National Volunteer Service Commission and V.A.V.S. we were able to provide clothing and food to Veterans living in area care homes on December 17,2021. We delivered clothing to 8 CRC homes consisting of hats, scarves, gloves, socks, various hygiene products and McDonald Gift Cards,

On December 24, 2021 food was delivered to 75 Veterans in the surrounding counties. A Christmas ham, potatoes, green beans and dinner rolls to each care home.  Also a huge Christmas food basket containing bacon, hamburger, lunch meats, sausage, sauerkraut, bread, milk, eggs, sugar, flour and canned items.

Special Thanks to The Ross County Veterans Council, Aerie 600, McDonalds and Elks.

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Help To Restore Elks Rest

Columbus Grove City Elks Lodge #37 hosted a Spaghetti Dinner Friday Jan 21, 2022 to raise money to replace the Elk at Elk Rest. The former Elk deteriorated and had to be removed. Presented check to Randy Rogers from Green Lawn Cemetery for $20,000. Total cost to replace is $90K. However, the cemetery, thanks to a bequest, contributed $70K. Unveiling should be fall of 2023.

The dinner raised over $1,000 with the lodge serving more than 80 dinners. State President, Lugene Ignaffo helped in the kitchen. Also present were: Past State President, Nevin Taylor, Trent Bradford Marysville ER, Howard E Honaker, District PER, SC District Chairman, Jennifer Loxley Anderson, and other guests from Marysville lodge.

Helpers included 2 international students and 6 Westland JR ROTC.

Chillicothe Elks Spreads Holiday Cheer to Local Veterans

Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 delivered Christmas dinner consisting of ham, noodles, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls and pumpkin pie to 62 veterans living in 6 veteran group homes located in Ross and surrounding counties. 

Individual Christmas treat bags were delivered to the 62 veteran group home residents as well as the 35 veterans residing in the Alzheimer unit at the Chillicothe VA Medical Facility.  The VA treat bags contained salty and sweet snacks, candy, beef jerky and puzzle books. 

The group home treat bags contained the same treats as well as McDonald’s gift cards.  The Christmas dinners and treat bags were assembled by members of Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 and purchased with part of a $2,500 Freedom Grant from the Elks National Foundation.

Northwest District Announces Hoop Shoot Qualifiers For State Contest

The Ohio Elks Northwest District Hoop Shoot competition was held on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at The Ohio State University-Lima/Rhodes State College campus, Cook Hall.

The winners are:

8-9 Girls
Brenna Chappel – Mercer Co #2170       15/25 & 8/10

10-11 Girls
Ivy Smith – Findlay #75                            17

12-13 Girls
Brylee Geary – Lima #54                          17

8-9 Boys
Deontae Cowens Jr – Lima #54              15/25 & 3/5

10-11 Boys
Marcus Bishop – Findlay #75                   20

12-13 Boys
Jack Mowery – Napoleon #929               24

The winners will compete in the State Hoop Shoot competition which will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022, in Columbus.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Helps Those In Need This Holiday Season

Van Wert Elks Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $2,000 to the First United Methodist Church for their Food Pantry.   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. 

With Covid 19 still playing a big part in our society and many still unemployed, there is a need now, more than ever to assist those who need a helping hand.  The Food Pantry relies on donations of monies as well as food items.   The Food Pantry is able to purchase food at a discounted rate from the West Ohio Food Bank and they purchase items locally as well.   This donation will almost pay for their local food purchase made in December. The Food Pantry is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 pm till 3:00 pm and on Fridays from 10:00 am till 12:00 noon.

Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the First United Methodist Church with this important service for our community.

Pictured left to right are Jeff Welker, Food Pantry Director, Mike Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman., Becky Wells and Janet Miller.

Ohio Elks Northeast District Help Those with Cerebral Palsy

A check for $777 from the Elks Northeast District Charity Ball, held in October was presented to the principal of Robert Bycroft School, Andrew Garber. Making the presentation were Wayne Gorby, PER/ER of Salem Lodge #305 and Lisa Wadlow, PER/Charity Ball Chairman from Kent Lodge #237.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Spread Christmas Joy To Local Kids

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 held their annual Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 18. The kids were entertained with various games and activities. Lunch was provided to all in attendance and the kids were able to enjoy homemade cookies, courtesy of some very special lodge elves. Santa arrived after lunch and was able to visit with the children and give each child a treat. Prizes were also awarded to those present.

Salem Elks #305 Help The Hungry This Holiday Season

Salem Elks Lodge #305 applied for the Elks National Foundation's Gratitude Grant and it was approved to be used in support of the Salem Food Pantry. They expressed having the money come through the Community Foundation, which assists them in processing their funds. Wayne Gorby, ER presented the check for $2,000 to Don Yeasted, Director of the Salem Food Pantry. Pictured in the background are some of the shelves that hold the wares available to those who need it.

Maumee-Bowling Green Elks #1850 Donate for Veterans and Seniors in Need

Exalted Ruler Larry "Bubba" Stadler and Mike Pegorsh, members of Maumee-Bowling Green Elks Lodge #1850, delivered 32 Veterans Bags to Barry's Landing, a residential Veterans home in Maumee, Ohio. 

The Veterans Bag Challenge was given to all those in attendance on Veteran's Night, a dinner the Elks hosted the second weekend of November.  Members and visitors filled the bags over the last month to be donated and delivered.  Sherry Jaquay, Charity Coordinator at Maumee BG-Lodge gave the initial challenge, and then coordinated the donations along with the help of fellow committee members Glen and Yvonne Lammon and Sandy Stanish.  (Barry's Landing was also the recipient of the $3,500 Beacons Grant from ENF earlier this year).

In addition to the Veterans Bags, funds and other donated items which included a Red, White, and Blue hand-knitted afghan blanket, made for Christmas Bags for five Senior Citizen families in Lucas County that the Lodge adopted this Christmas season.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Honor Students of the Month

Van Wert ELks Lodge #1197 have selected Mia Kelley and Trey Laudick, seniors at Van Wert High School as the recipients of the Student 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.

From left: Linda J. Stanley, Lodge Student of the Month Chair with Trey Laudick and Mia Kelley.

Ohio Elks Make the Season Bright!

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

Thank you to the Ohio Elks for their donation to help needy veterans this holiday/winter season.

With the donation, secured by Ohio Elks VAVS Rep Becky Underhill, we were able to provide 90 sets of sweats to our veterans in need. Each veteran will receive a pair of sweat pants, a hooded sweatshirt and a deck of playing cards thrown in for good measure.

The sets were divided between Chalmers P Wylie Veteran Care Center in Columbus, the Marion CBOC, the Grove City CBOC, the Zanesville CBOC, and the Newark CBOC.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Angel Tree Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving

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.

Athens Elks #973 Helps Veterans Heal

Athens Elks Lodge # 973 donated $1,700 worth of Athens area business gift cards to the Athens County Veterans Treatment Court.  These gift cards will be given out to veterans in need who are involved in their program as well as to veterans for accomplishing tasks while in the program. These tasks include maintaining sobriety and completing treatment, or receiving counseling etc. The money to purchase the gift cards was made available through an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant.

Pictured from left to right Athens Elk's 973 lodge grants coordinator Tim Lairson, Elk's members Jim Balding, Ernie Perry, Rich Russell and Judge George McCarthy.

Maumee - Bowling Green Lodge #1850 Hosts Hoop Shoot

The Hoop Shoot Contest was held Saturday, December 11 at Maumee High School, with Maumee-Bowling Green Elks Lodge #1850 members Jim Richardson, J'Taevius Rodgers, and ER Larry Stadler present. Jim is also one of the basketball coaches at Maumee High School. Top scorers go on to compete at District, State, and National levels.

Lima Elks #54 Hosts National Hoop Shoot

The 50th Annual Elks Hoop Shoot was held by Lima Elks Lodge #54 on Saturday, December 4, 2021 with 4 area schools participating. The local 1st place winners will compete in the District Hoop Shoot on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at The Ohio State University-Lima/Rhodes State College campus, Cook Hall. Winners will advance to the State, Regional, and National Hoop Shoot competitions.

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Dontates More Than $20,000 To Local Charities

Columbus-Grove City Elks Lodge #37 handed out over $20,000 to Ohio Charities from Bingo Proceeds to 8 charities including Elks National Foundation and Ohio Elks State Charity on Tue Dec 7, 2021.  Each charity had a representative present to receive checks and to give a brief synopsis of what their charity does for the community.  Those who received checks were: Angel Tree, Westland High School Jr ROTC, Grove City High School Jr ROTC, St Vincent de Paul, Groveport Special Olympics, Speak for the unspoken.

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Spreading Christmas Cheer to Local Veterans

Columbus-Grove City Elks Lodge #37 was able to collect contributions and donations to provide 40 gift bags containing hats, gloves, and other items to be delivered to local veterans.  Just in time for Christmas. Veterans chair, Angelo Nocera along with his wife Kathleen who is also secretary, and member Judy Danch bagged up the items.