Salem Elks #305 Sponsors Two Soccer Shoot Contestants In Mid-Atlantic Regionals
The Mid -Atlantic Regional Elks Soccer ⚽ Shoot was held March 10th-12th in York, PA. The final results out Ohio in 2nd place by less than 25 points, against 5 other states. Our Salem Elks Lodge #305 had 2 participants. Pictured are
Alicea Davis 5th place in U12 and Nora Shean 1st place in U14.
Nora improved from her 5th place finish last year. She hopes to defend her 1st place standing. However, Alicea will be moving up to U14 and will become direct competition for this coming Soccer Season. Congratulations to you both.
Northeast District Renovates Drug Awareness Trailer
The Northeast District’s drug awareness trailer was recently renovated and updated with new and modern graphics designed to better promote the Elks Drug Awareness Program (DAP) along with other youth programs like Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot, and Veterans Programs.
The trailer is used by lodges at public events to better promote the programs of the Elks with a primary effort to help parents and kids understand the dangers of prescription and elicit drugs.
Many thanks to the Kansas Elks Association for sharing their graphic files which helped base the overall design of the trailer graphics.
The interior of the trailer is also being updated for a more modern presentation.
This project was funded by a donation from Berea Elks Lodge #1815 along with a grant from the Ohio Elks Association and from Elks National Foundation.
Elks DAP Poster and Essay Contest Participants Selected for State Competition
A big shout out to Salem Lodge #305 and Berea Lodge #1815 for their support of and participation in the Elks Drug Awareness contests.
The participating students did an outstanding job with their entries and I am so proud of the effort that they put forth.
Thank you to Kim Chapman of the Salem Lodge for her hard work in getting the information out to her area schools, giving these kids the opportunity to participate in our Drug Awareness program.
The judging has been completed for the state winners and I have sent the winning essay and poster onto the National Elks DAP for judging. Each state winner in each category will receive a 1st Place Blue Ribbon and a $100 Visa card as well prizes from the lodge and district.
I won’t say who the winners are at this time as I want to let the kids know first, but I will let everyone know at the state convention in April.
Please take the time to read the essays. The students have put a lot of thought and time into their writing and drawing.
Essay Contest:
Romina Martin-Baltazar
Ronin Jay Sutter
Jackson Cranmer
Poster Contest:
Abby Klein
McKaylynn Cox
Sawyer Boron
We will be starting our new Elk year soon and then your lodge will have the opportunity to promote Drug Awareness to your area schools.
Please email me for information on each of the contests and how to find the forms.
Becky Underhill
Ohio Drug Awareness Chairman
Underhillbecky1@gmail.com
Berea Elks #1815 Conducts Health Wellness Programs For Local Veterans & Active Military
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 recently conducted a mental and health wellness program designed for veterans and active military which was hosted by the American Legion Post 91 in Berea.
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 recently conducted a mental and health wellness program designed for veterans and active military which was hosted by the American Legion Post 91 in Berea.
The program addressed reintegration to civilian life, PTSD mitigation, and learning personal health warning signs. It helped those who attended learn how to impact their personal health and wellness and learn the warning signs of deteriorated wellness for fellow veterans and other
Take aways for attendees included an ability to track wellness metrics through wearable devices provided by the program and to learn how to build a foundational routine for an understanding about HOW and WHY, rather only learning WHAT impacts wellness.
Berea Elks Trustee, Pat Greenhill
It featured a presentation on building foundational routines to improve resilience using the 3R’s:
Emotional Resilience
Mission Readiness
Healthy Reintegration
The program was free to all active military and veterans and included gift bags containing personal health monitoring equipment, health diaries, and other supplies essential to the program.
Light snacks were served during the presentation, with a dinner afterwards to honor the service of our Veterans.
The program was presented by Berea Elks Trustee, Pat Greenhill who is also an actively serving Berea Law Enforcement Officer. American Legion Post 91 of Berea generously donated their facility and promoted the event with the veterans of the post.
The entire program was made possible by a Freedom Grant awarded to Berea Elks Lodge #1815 by the Elks National Foundation
Lima Elks #54 Honors Local Eagle Scout
Lima Elks Lodge #54 recognized Braden Knippen of Ft Jennings Troop #230 during his 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.
For his Eagle Scout project, Braden erected a Purple Heart Memorial at Freedom Square in Ft Jennings, Ohio.
Congratulations to Braden on his accomplishments.
Circleville Elks #77 Helps Local Food Pantry
Circleville Elks Lodge #77 recently made a $4,500 donation to the Ashville Food Pantry. More than 160 families were served by the Ashville Food Pantry in February. With government assistance being reduced starting in March, the services of pantries such as the one in Ashville will be ever more vital in our communities.The donation was made possible by a grant from the Elks National Foundation (ENF).
From Left: Trustee Chair Joe Valone, PER, and Leading Knight Wes Riley with some of the volunteers at the Ashville Food Pantry.
Berea Elks #1815 Helping Veterans Enjoy The Big Game
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 member Gary Farkas (second from left) and his helpers delivered 25 pizzas and 400 wings to veterans in the care tower at the VA hospital in Cleveland. They served about 150 veterans during a Super Bowl party.
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.