Port Clinton Elks #1718 Donate to Local Organizations

Congratulations to The Salvation Army and the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center as recipients of a $2,000 donation each towards their emergency assistance services addressing rental and food insecurities. The donation funds come from the 2022-2023 Community Investment Program (Beacon Grant) of the Elks National Foundation.

Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718 commends you for what your agency does and will continue to do in the community and wishes your organization nothing but success in the continued pursuit of its important mission.

(Pictured: William Murphey, Esteemed Leading Knight, Kami Sayre, Director of The Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Unity, Connie Roe, Director of the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center, and Pamela Hatfield, Exalted Ruler, Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718.)

From Left William Murphey, Esteemed Leading Knight, Kami Sayre, Director of The Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Unity, Connie Roe, Director of the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center, and Pamela Hatfield, Exalted Ruler, Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718.

Ohio Elks Charity Tickets - Changes To Drawing Announced

I hope you are all doing well with the Charity Ticket sales. I would like to explain a “change” we have made this year.

The Charity Tickets have been on a steady decline over the past several years. More than $12,000. lower than when it was doing well. It has leveled off the past year or two, but we are still down about $12,000.

Now is the time to make a change, and hopefully for the better. I introduced this to the Interim Governing Board (IGB) a couple years ago and after further discussion, it was recently approved. I have sent one previous email out. I will continue to send notifications out over the next couple of months.

Not only are we drawing in August, NOT APRIL, but I am also encouraging folks to continue to sell the rest of your tickets over the next six months. I would continue to send them out with dues notices. I would have officers sell them. I would sell them on drawing nights. Your Lodge keeps half, so it is a win-win!

Please let me know if I can help you and your Lodge!

Remember, do not bring your tickets until August 2023! 

Jeffrey Warner, PDDGER
District Activities Chairman
OEA Charity Ticket Chairman
OEA PER Association President

Findlay Elks #75 Celebrates Americanism Essay Winners

Findlay Elks Lodge #75 congratulates our Americanism essayists for making the top three in their grade out of 95 entries. 

From left: Hayden Thieme, Elaina Ricker, Chairmen Pat McCaffrey (PER), Parker Williams, J.J. Langlois, Sophie McDaniel, Lukas Sadowski.  Missing: Troy Holzwart, Molly Rood, Grayson Hohman.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Helps Feed Their Local Community

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $3,000 to the First United Methodist Church of Van Wert for their food pantry.  The monies are from a Beacon 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. 

Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the First United Methodist Church with this important service they provide the citizens of the community in need.

Pictured left to right are Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman and Teresa Shaffer representing the 1st UM Church.

Ohio Elks Website Now Has Map Mode!

Members, potential members, and guests can now find a lodge near them in an easy to use “map mode” on the Ohio Elks Association website. Simply click this link: https://ohioelks.com/findalodge and you can start looking for lodges across the Buckeye State in the map.

Click on a map pin and you can see the lodge details and jump right to their website on ohioelks.com.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Donates $3,000 To Local Salvation Army

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $3,000 to the Salvation Army of Van Wert for their food pantry.   The monies are from a Beacon 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. 

Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the Salvation Army with this important service they provide the citizens of the community in need.

Pictured left to right are Keith Collins, Past Exalted Ruler and Major Deborah Weigner.

Ohio Elks Northwest District Hoop Shoot Results!

The Ohio Elks Northwest District Hoop Shoot competition was held on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at The Ohio State University-Lima/Rhodes State College campus, Cook Hall.

The winners are:

8-9 Girls
Maggie Schoenlein – Mercer Co #2170            16/25

10-11 Girls
Kynlee Geary – Van Wert #1197                      16/25

12-13 Girls
Brylee Geary – Lima #54                                    21/25

8-9 Boys
Jack Clark – Findlay #75                                     24/25

10-11 Boys
Easton Borders – Findlay #75                            17/25

12-13 Boys
Keaton Elwer – Lima #54                                  22/25

The winners will compete in the State Hoop Shoot competition which will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, in Newark, Ohio.

Georgetown Veteran Home Barbershop Gets Remodeled

Remodeled Barbershop at Georgetown Veteran Home

Our Elk Representative Richard Courts and Deputy Gerald Wilkins seen the need of a face lift to the barber shop for our Veterans.

Plans started last July to make that happen. With the help of Hannah Harper Volunteer Coordinator refurbishing began. Progress was slow going, the end results are awesome.

The updated Barber shop is fun and inviting and the Veterans appreciate it.

Lima Elks #54 Honor New Eagle Scouts

Lima Elks Lodge #54 recognized new Eagle Scouts Benjamin Barnes, Griffin Beckett, Nolan Horstman, Hayden Inkrott, Brian Jordan III, Will Kuhlman, Grant Leopold, Oliver Nartker, Andrew Raye, Andon Ruhe, Carson Sealts, Jack Verhoff and Jonathon Wank of Ottawa Boy Scout Troop #224 during their Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

The award consisted of the American Flag and the Eagle Scout Certificate framed for hanging along with the Grand Exalted Ruler’s Congratulatory Letter, Certificate of Merit and Elks/Scouting pin.

Congratulations to these young men on their accomplishments.

Ohio Elks Leadership Kollege Online Registration Now 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 25, 2023.  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 you and 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.

Ohio Elks Northwest District Supports Local Veterans

In remembering our Veterans Northwest Lodges have busy with donations and events honoring our Heroes.

Pictured are Officers of Upper Sandusky #83 surrounded with filled Elk bags ready to be delivered to OVH.Offering their support was the American Legion and Eagles in Carey Ohio.

Wives of the Ohio Elks State Officers made Fleece blanket throws

At our recent District meeting State Officers Visitation in Findlay #75, Defiance #147, Toledo #53, Lima#54, Donated a large variety of needs. Hand knit hats. Puzzles, CD’s, Art & Crafts supplies, personal hygiene, new clothes, Christmas lights snacks etc.

On October 21st Fremont #169 Hosted a dinner for our Veteran members and guests. A home cooked meal was served to all to enjoy. PSP Dan Beaston was guest speaker reflecting on how our Veteran are so very special to us you for serving our country but  for also being member of our Elks Lodge, as we say Best People on Earth.

Special recognition, Honorary Life Member was given to member Ned Robinett 99 years old a 62 year old member.

Each Veteran was presented with a personalized certificate from Grand thanking them for their service to our country. Hand made cards created by pre school- 5th grade were also given out.

Berea Elks #1815 Hosts Charity Dart Tournement For Police Memorial Fund

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 hosted a Doubles Dart Tournament to benefit the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society (GCPOMS) a non-profit charity, whose mission is to honor peace officers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of service to their communities and the nation, especially those from the Greater Cleveland area, including Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, and northern Summit Counties.

Eighteen teams from law enforcement, and Elks members from Berea Lodge #1815, Willoughby-Cleveland Lodge #18; and Lakewood Lodge #1350, competed for top awards, raising over $2,000 for the fund.

Refreshments were donated by Teamz Restaurant & Bar and Café Ah Roma. The Cleveland Darter Club donated the use of the boards and Anglo-American Darts and Discs donated flights to attendees.

Special thanks go to Willoughby-Cleveland Lodge #18 who donated $200 directly to GCPOMS and to members from Berea Lodge #1815 and Lakewood Lodge #1350 who donated items for the Chinese Raffle. Event winners were: 1st Place: Fuzzy Foland (Lakewood)/Duane Gibson (Berea), 2nd Place: Matthew Cavanaugh/Dave Wagner; (Cleveland Police Team 1) and 3rd Place: Kevin Navratil/Scott Moran (Cleveland Police Team 2). Finally, all in attendance were reminded that January 9, 2023, was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and showed their support for those who risk their lives on a daily basis.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Donate to YWCA Women's Shelter

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $1250 to the YWCA Women’s Shelter in Van Wert.

The monies, provided thru the Elks National Foundation in the form of a Gratitude Grant were made possible thru the generous donations to the foundation by the members of Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197.   During the 2021-2022 lodge year, the goal of the foundation was that each lodge donated a minimum of $4.80 per member.   Van Wert Lodge met their goal and surpassed it.  Due to these donations, the lodge received the Gratitude Grant.

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. 

Grant which was used for a charitable project or service within their jurisdiction.

With this money, Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to help the YWCA Women’s Shelter to provide a warm bed along with a safe location for the women of Van Wert.   “The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have always been known for their charitable works and this is Van Wert Lodge’s way of helping our community and those who are in need” stated Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Chairman for the Elks National Foundation.

Pictured, left to right, accepting the check are Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman and Katelin Watkins, YWCA Case Aid  for Survivor Service.

Berea Elks #1815 Help Fight Youth Hunger

Members and familes of Berea Elks Lodge #1815 volunteered at the Cleveland Food Bank assembling “backpacks” of food to be distributed to kids across NE Ohio struggling to get the nutrition they need on a daily basis in a safe and confidential way through after school programs and libraries.

More than 2,100 backpacks were assembled during the event. Nearly 1 in 6 people in our community are food insecure, meaning they don’t know where their next meal will come from. This program helps to fill gaps for families where needed.

Pictured above are members and families of Berea Elks Lodge #1815

Van Wert Elks #1197 Donate to Haven of Hope Shelter

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $1,250 to The Haven of Hope Shelter in Van Wert.

The monies, provided by the Elks National Foundation in the form of a Gratitude Grant were made possible through the generous donations to the foundation by the members of Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197.  

During the 2020-2021 lodge year, the goal of the foundation was that each lodge donated a minimum of $4.80 per member.   Van Wert Lodge met their goal and surpassed it.  Due to these donations, the lodge received the Gratitude Grant.

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 2,000 Elks Lodges across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. 

Grant which was used for a charitable project or service within their jurisdiction.

With this money, Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to help The Haven of Hope Shelter to provide a warm bed along with an evening meal to the homeless men of Van Wert.   “The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have always been known for their charitable works and this is Van Wert Lodge’s way of helping our community and those who are in need” stated Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Chairman for the Elks National Foundation.

Pictured, left to right, accepting the check are Jim Nelson, Haven of Hope Treasurer, Keith A. Collins, Van Wert Lodge Past Exalted Ruler and Jamie Ramos, Executive Director, Haven of Hope.

Online Registration For 2023 Spring Convention Now Open!

The Ohio Elks Association is excited to open online registration for the 124th Spring Convention of the OEA to be held at the Marriott Columbus Northwest in Dublin, OH April 28-30, 2023. Registration can be made online at the OEA website, or via mail/check. Both online and mail-in regsitration forms can be found here: https://ohioelks.com/spring-convention

The Ohio Elks Spring Convention is open to all Elks in good standing, along with their families.

Members attending convention can also reserve a room at the Marriott Columbus Northwest in Dublin at a special rate negotiated of $116/night (not including taxes, fees, and incidentals) by the OEA. Click the link below to reserve a hotel room.

Southeast District Ohio Elks Donate To Local Veterans

Generous donations from Lodges and organizations made it possible to provide winter clothing and hygiene products to Veterans residing in our district. Seventy five veterans residing in nine assisted living facilities covering 5 counties received clothing items consisting of hooded sweatshirts, tee shirts, socks, gloves, scarves, and hats. Hygiene products were razors, tooth paste, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, and shaving cream. 

In other news the week before Christmas a box lunch was delivered to the homes consisting of a sub sandwich, chips, cookies and beverages.

Berea Elks #1815 Host Alia Bailey Memorial Holiday Toy Drive

Berea Elks Lodge #1815 recently hosted family and friends of the Alia Bailey Holiday Memorial Toy Drive at the lodge. Alia lost her life in a tragic car acident in 2017 as a student of Grindstone Elementary in Berea.

Since then, the family has gathered toys in Alia’s name and have donated them to local children’s hospitals during the Holidays. This year several hundred gifts were donated by members of the community and then wrapped at the lodge.

So many gifts were given that the family had to rent a trailer to haul them to Metro Hospital. Many thanks to the family, firends of the family and to lodge members for the generosity and support this year!

Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Elks #1923 Deliver Holiday Meals In Community

Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Elks Lodge #1923 delivered 110 meals for Christmas to our neighbors who could use a little extra holiday cheer.  This building is comprised of various different income levels, plus some folks with challenges medically that prevent them from leaving their building.

It’s a tradition that we’ve done for many years on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter for this group of folks. But now we are going on year 3 where this work is funded by our Beacon Grant awarded to the lodge by the Elks National Foundation (ENF). 

Van Wert Elks #1197 Honor Deceased Elks Veterans With Wreaths

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently made a donation of $150 to the Wreaths across America program. The monies purchased 10 wreaths.

Pictured is Lodge Member Louis A. Crow placing a wreath upon the grave a deceased lodge member Merle F. Brady.

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the mission of Wreaths Across America it to Remember, Honor and Teach, which is carried out by coordinating wreath laying in ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery as well as more than 1,400 additional locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.

This year National Wreaths across America Day was held on December 17 and Boy Scout Troop 32 from Middle Point, OH participated in the laying of wreaths at the Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

This year Van Wert Lodge randomly picked the names of ten deceased Elk members who were veterans and placed their ten wreaths upon their graves.

an Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be able to remember our deceased veterans during this holiday season.