Jackson Elks #466 Spreads Drugs Awareness Program
from Left: Chief John Robinson, Sharon Brown, Mayor Anthony Brenner, and Investigator Mike Kemmerling.
Sharon Brown from Jackson Lodge #466 visited Wellston, Ohio to discuss Drug Awareness. The police Chief, the Mayor, and a Police Dept. Investigator took part. We discussed the packets and its contents. Instantly, they had plans to use the packets on the July 4th festivities, in the schools, Halloween, and much much more. They took 246 packets with a promise to order more. pictured below from Left to Right is Chief John Robinson, Sharon Brown, Mayor Anthony Brenner, and Investigator Mike Kemmerling.
Local Student Receives Legacy Scholarship Sponsored by Van Wert Elks #1197
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have announced the awarding of a $4,000 Legacy Award Scholarship by the Elks National Foundation to Emma Hatcher. The Legacy Award Scholarships are awarded by the Elks National Foundation and are only available to children and grandchildren of Elk Members. Ms. Hatcher graduated this spring from Lincolnview High School and will be attending this fall The Ohio State University majoring in Psychology.
During high school Emma was a member of the National Honor Society, Lincolnview Service Club, 2023 Class Secretary, Drama Club and Spanish Club. She participated in Cross Country, Track and Field, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Athletic Leadership Council.
Emma attends the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where she sings in the choir. She is employed at the Truly D’Vine Bread Company and was also a 2022 F.B.I. Future Agent in Training.
Emma is the daughter of John Hatcher and Heather Torlina.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships awarded each year. Van Wert Lodge is proud to have been a sponsor for Emma during this competition.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Supports Local Youth Baseball
The Golf Committee from Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $500 to the Van Wert Youth Baseball Association for the 2023 season.
FROM LEFT: Paul Cucciarre, golf committee member, Ben Price, Van Wert Youth Baseball President and Curt Rager, golf committee member.
With the financial help from the sponsors, youth ages 8 to 12 are able to travel and play teams within a tri-county area. On an average they have 6 teams and over 80 kids who are able to participate in the program.
The Elks are known for their support of youth activities not only within Van Wert County but across the nation as well.
Ohoi Elks Endowment Website Launched!
The Ohio Elks Association has officially launched a new website specifically designed for the Ohio Elks Endowment. This is a public website available to members and public visitors to learn more about the endowment and it’s mission.
The site is also where anyone can make donations to the endowment, either as a one-time donation, or as a monthly donation.
The “Benevolence Club” is where anyone can sign up to donate to the endowment on a monthly basis for as little as $10 a month. This is open to anyone, not just Elks, and can be cancelled at any time.
The “Patriot Club” is where anyone can make a single, one-time donation starting at just $25. This is also available to anyone, not just Elks.
As part of this launch, there is also a raffle available where anyone can buy raffle tickets for a new 75” TCL 4K SmartTV that will be drawn at the Fall Reunion in August.
This is a great new site that will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the endowment as we work to grow the fund and meet our goal to start driving programs out of the endowment.
This is the future of the Ohio Elks Association…be a part of it!
Elks Supports Beautification of Gallipolis
Pictured is Exalted Ruler Mike Null, right, and Karen Smith, president of Gallipolis In Bloom, at the banner presented to Gallipolis Elks for their continued support to the community of Gallipolis.
Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 donated $2,000 to Gallipolis in Bloom (GIB) to support the beautification of the city of Gallipolis with flowers and plants for the summer and fall. The money was used to purchase plants, flowers and flower containers to be placed throughout the community and the downtown area. The donation was made possible from a Beacon Grant awarded to Gallipolis lodge from the Elks National Foundation.
Salem Elks #305 Promotes Drug Awareness and Youth at Memorial Day Parade
What a nice Memorial Day Parade on this sun shiny morning. Thank you to Jeff Chapman for pulling the Drug Awareness Trailer and Jason Green for being Elroy the Elk. Regional soccer ⚽🏆 players Alicea Davis, Nora Shean and Clara Shean rode in the bed of the truck. If you missed it, the Drug Trailer had been newly wrapped with updated graphics. Honoring the Soccer ⚽ Shoot, Hoop 🏀 Shoot, Drug Awareness and Elroy, ENF, Veterans and the Ohio Elks Association. Included is a QR code!
May Brings Activity to The Ohio Veterans Home
Elks make the month Of May full of beautiful transformation, growth, and remembering.
At our recent State Convention several Lodges brought overwhelming donations of needed new clothing, personal hygiene items, games, etc. for our veterans.
A request came from residents asking for remote control tanks to get into tank competitions. They will form a club called “Guy Stuff”. A donation from Toledo-Sylvania Lodge #53 funded them. Toledo-Sylvania Lodge #53 also supplied flowers, herbs and soil.
Students from Sandusky St. Mary School accompanied by their teacher worked an entire morning to spruce up the gardens of 1 North Patio for the veterans to enjoy. Duties included planting flowers & herbs, pruning shrubs, mowing grass. Everyone had a fun time with our youth.
Five concrete statues each representing the branches of service were donated covering the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. We placed them where everyone can enjoy. The Ohio Veterans Home women are always there to help us with useful suggestions on what the veterans like, need, and enjoy.
Thanks to all for the continued support of our veterans!
Newark Lodge #391 Awards Scholarship To Local Student
The Newark Elks Lodge #391 sponsored the 2022-2023 Outstanding Public Safety and Consumer Science Department award. This $500 award is presented by Kathy Wise, Exalted Ruler of the Newark Elks and is being presented to Kara Smith from C-TEC’s Firefighting and Emergency Medical Services program.
While at C-TEC, Kara has earned the National Incident Management System (nims) 100, 200, 700, and 800 credentials along with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS, EMT - basic, cpr/first aid, OHSA 10 credentials, and is in the process of completing her Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Ems - Ohio Firefighter 2 credential. Kara has earned 26.5 college credits through College Credit Plus while at C-TEC. Kara is serving as the president of Ohio HOSA, which is a term that will run through next year and has served as C-TEC HOSA chapter president. Kara is a member of the C-TEC chapter of the Nation Technical Honor Society, C-TEC student council president and a member of C-TEC’s student leadership team.
Kara is planning on attending Columbus State Community College to complete an Associates of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services Technology.
Jackson Lodge #466 Works To Educate Jurors About Illegal Drugs
Sharon Brown, Drug Awareness Chair at Jackson Lodge #466, met with the Jackson Co. Prosecuting Attorney, Randy DuPree. We discussed the importance of educating Grand Jury Members on all illegal drugs. This will help the officers presenting drug cases to them. Prosecutor DuPree took 50 Drug Awareness packets.
Legacy Scholarship Awarded To Daughter of Van Wert Lodge #1197 Member
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 have announced the awarding of a $4,000 Legacy Award Scholarship by the Elks National Foundation to Finley Foster. The Legacy Award Scholarships are awarded by the Elks National Foundation and are only available to children and grandchildren of Elk Members. Ms. Foster graduated this spring from Van Wert High School and will be attending this fall The Ohio State University majoring in Child psychology.
During high school Finley was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council, Spanish Club, Service Pack, WBL Sportsmanship Committee, Junior Rotarian and participated in Varsity Volleyball, Football and Basketball Cheer, Competition Cheer and Tarzan the Musical school play.
Finley is a member of the Lifehouse Church where she participates in the Youth Group.
She also is a competitive dancer at Kim Hohman’s Danceworks,
Finley is the daughter of Shad and Kelly Foster and the Granddaughter of Bob and Vickie Foster of Van Wert.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships awarded each year. Van Wert Lodge is proud to have been a sponsor for Grace during this competition.
Jackson Elks #466 Awards Americanism Essay Winners
Pictured are the winners of the 2023 Jackson Elks# 466 Americanism Essay Contest. In the front row (from left to right) are Elks Exalted Ruler Lynn Denny, Cyle Cavell, Wayne Detty, Ashlyn Miller, Isaiah Armstrong, Ava Wolford, Callie Newkirk, Kori Musick and Project Chair Kim Harless. In the back row (from left to right) are Matthew Houser, Garrett Graham, Macie Peters and Addison Hickey. Not pictured is Owen Linnger
Berea Elks #1815 Help Fight Hunger in Northeast Ohio
Members of Berea Elks Lodge #1815 volunteered at the Cleveland Food Bank, sorting and packing 340 boxes of food to be distributed to families in need in the greater Cleveland area. Nearly 20 members packed over 5 tons of food in ready to go boxes that will be distributed in less than one week to those who need it most.
Newcomerstown Elks #1555 Awards Four $1,000 Scholarships
On May 19th 2023, Newcomerstown Elks Lodge #1555 was able to present four (4) $1,000 scholarships to two of our local school districts. First we have ER George Poorman at Ridgewood High School presenting the Pop Warner Scholarship to Samual Layman, and the Ed Harstine Scholarship to Kaelynn Robinson. After this we have PER & Lodge Secretary Steven Pritchard presenting the Woody Hayes Scholarships to Marlie Moner and Breanna Rehard, Both of Newcomerstown. Congrats!
Van Wert Elks #1197 Supports Local Youth Baseball
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $100 to the Van Wert Youth Baseball Association for the 2023 season.
Pictured, left to right are Matt Krol, Exalted Ruler and Ben Price, Van Wert Youth Baseball President.
With the financial help from the sponsors, youth ages 8 to 12 are able to travel and play teams within a tri-county area. On an average they have 6 teams and over 80 kids who are able to participate in the program.
The Elks are known for their support of youth activities not only within Van Wert County but across the nation as well.
Upper Sandusky Elks #83 Supports Local Scholarships
Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83 recently attended the Upper Sandusky High School awards night to present 14 scholarships, which included the Elks #83 Big Nut Scholarships. This is a collaborative joint venture between the lodge and OSU Super Fan Jon "Big Nut" Peters.
Each year 3 students that will be attending OSU in the Fall are awarded these scholarships from "Big Nut" himself. Through his scholarship fund and support of the OSU endowment he has raised over $250,000 to support those efforts! Pictured is "Big Nut" with one of this year's recipients Renee McCreary. Thanks to everyone who makes this program successful!
Port Clinton Lodge #1718 Recognizes District Winners of Americanism Essay Contest
From LEft: Ed Rusch, Lecturing Knight, Drake Waldron, Colbie Dahlgren, and Bill Murphey, Exalted Ruler
Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718 is proud to announce its district winners of the Elks Americanism Essay Contest. Students Drake Waldron and Colbie Dahlgren from Danbury Local Schools, Lakeside-Marblehead, OH. Drake (6th-grade division) won third place, and Colbie (7th-grade division) won first place. Congratulations!
Salem Lodge #305 Supports Youth Day At Salem Hunt Club
Salem Elks Lodge #305 presented a $500 check to Jay Klein, President of The Salem Hunt Club for their Youth Day on Saturday, May 20th with registration from 8:30-10:15am
Steve Smith, a Past Exalted Ruler presents check to Jay Klein.
Youth Day is free for ages 8-15!! There is Archery, Black Powder, Trap, 22 Rifles and Air Rifles. Food and drinks; plus T-shirts and trophies for the winners.
Van Wert Lodge #1197 Announces Americanism Essay Contest Winners
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to announce the winners of the 2022-2023 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest. This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What is your American Dream”. The students competed in divisions, by age group.
The local winners, which were forwarded to the District for further judging, were:
Anita Carvajal was the lodge chairman in charge of the Lodge Americanism Committee and is pictured with the winners.
1st Place Winners (pictured left to right, front row)
Div I – 5th Grade – Lizzie Eding – Crestview Elementary School
Div II – 6th Grade – Cole Dewert – Crestview Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Annabel Horstman – Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Cole Miller – Crestview Middle School
2nd Place Winners (pictured left to right, middle row)
Div I – 5th Grade – Kendall He3sseling– St Marys Catholic Elementary
Div II – 6th Grade – Brooke Stoller – Wayne Trace Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Ila Hughes– Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Harrison Sloan – Van Wert Middle School
3rd Place Winners (pictured left to right, back row)
Div I – 5th Grade – Megan Parker – Payne Middle School
Div II – 6th Grade – Paylin Gray – Crestview Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Zavier Kemler – Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Lilly Mason – Van Wert Middle School
Lily Mason placed first in the Northwest District Division IV competition. Megan Parker placed second in the Northwest District Division I competition and Annabel Horstman placed second in the Northwest District Division III competition. Kendall Hesseling placed third in the Northwest District Division I competition.
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 would like to congratulate all of our winners and we wish to thank all of the students, teachers and schools for their participation in this years essay contest.
"Zombie" Drug Raises Alarms - National Fentanyl Awareness Day is May 9
By WILLIAM J. BRYAN Acting Director Elks Drug Awareness Commission
While I would much rather talk about what the Elks are up to this month, I feel obligated to speak about what the drug traffickers are up to.
A veterinary sedative, xylazine, is being mixed with fentanyl and has found its way to America’s streets.
For several years, the Elks’ DAP has been teaching kids about the dangers of fentanyl, and now it has become even more dangerous. Fentanyl, as we all know, is already 50 times more powerful than heroin.
Xylazine has been found laced in illicit injectable drugs, especially fentanyl. It’s often referred to as “tranq” or “tranq dope” on the street. People who use it tend to slip into a state of unconsciousness for hours. The sedative effects of xylazine are so powerful that, for example, a person can suffocate if lying face down on a pillow!
The drug has also been linked to reports of skin abscesses, not unlike cases seen in other injectable drug users. In some instances, the wounds are so severe that amputations are necessary. Thus it is also known as a “zombie” drug.
Perhaps most alarming, this new cocktail of drugs is less resistant to Narcan, the nasal spray used for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose emergency.
Just when we think it’s time to relax, we realize that those traffickers bent on destroying our youth keep us on guard. The Elks’ DAP will always counter the bad with the truth.
Becky Underhill, State DAP Chairman
Ohio Elks Association Honors Outstanding State DAP Chairpersons
The Ohio Elks Association wanted to share the outstanding DAP chairpersons for the 2022 Elk year.
First is Walt Brown, lodge Drug Awareness Chair from Gallipolis #107. Walt must have given out DAP pamphlets to everyone in the town of Gallipolis and Gallia County. Over 13,000 pieces! From schools, to the police and sheriff departments, to the court systems, Walt made sure they all had what they needed to promote drug awareness. Great job Walt and thank you.
Next is Kim Chapman, lodge Drug Awareness Chair from Salem #305. Kim has established a great relationship with her area schools and teachers where she promotes the Drug Awareness Poster and Essay contests. This year she received 78 entries from kids in grades 3 thru 8. Her job then was to get the entries judged and sent onto her District Chairman. Great job and thank you Kim.
From left, Walt Brown of Gallipolis Lodge #107, Becky Underhill of Newark Lodge #391, Kim Chapman of Salem Lodge #305, and President Ed Connors of Salem Lodge #305
My last certificate for a job well done goes to Patrick Greenhill, the NE District Drug Awareness Chair from Berea #1815. Pat took on the responsibility of getting their old district trailer renovated, inside and out, including a new wrap. Even though it turned out to be way more time consuming than he originally thought, even finding the graphics proved difficult, Pat saw the project through to completion. The renovated trailer can be used to promote not only drug awareness but all Elk’s youth activities. Thank you Pat.
Each of these Elks has done an outstanding job this year to promote Drug Awareness in Ohio. Thanks again for your hard work!