Alliance Elks #467 Celebrates Member of the Order for 76 Years!
Alliance Elks Lodge #467’s Exalted Ruler Amy Gabelt celebrates “Old Timer Night” with their oldest member active member Frank Woolf who has been a member for 76 years. That’s nearly half the time the Order has been in existence!
New Philadelphia Elks #510 Supports Local Police Department
Jeffrey Warner of New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510 recently met with Chief Paul Bantum of the Dover Police Department. As an expression of the good thingsElks do, he presented Dover Police with an Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant of $1,000.
The check will go towards the funding of computers for each of the police cruisers.
Salem Elks #305 "Feeds the Team"
Salem Elks Lodge #305 had another successful "Feed the Team" event at Salem High School.
A total of 80 players and coaches enjoyed pasta, meatballs, salad, bread & butter, and brownies.
Thank you Drew Green for mixing up the sauce, Farb for packing up the bread & butter, Drew for packing up the brownies, and Chris Hill & Randy Malmsberry for helping with the pasta.
Huge thank you to the ladies who made brownies for dessert: Deb Emelo, Mickie Greenamyer, Luanne McCartney and Kim Chapman.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Hosts Veterans For Spaghetti Dinner
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Brecently held a free spaghetti dinner for all the veterans in the Van Wert County area.
A nice group of Veterans enjoyed a free dinner and the chance to catch up with their fellow veterans on this evening.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has a motto “As long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them”. Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to sponsor this free event for our veterans as a way of saying “Thank You” for your service to our country.
Gallipolis Elks #107 Spread Drug Awareness Across Region
From Left: Ollie Tipple and PER Walton Brown
From Left: PER Walton Brown, Tammy Church, Amy Rupe and in the front row are 5 Child Care students.
Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 Drug Awareness Chairman, PER Walton Brown met with Ollie Tipple to discuss the needs of the Court Street Ministries. The Elks Lodge provided 100 Drug Awareness packets to be used at the Ministry to future their education about Drug Awareness.
From Left: Cassandra Rexroad and Megan Haskins, employees of Health Recovery Services
PER Brown also met with Tammy Church, owner of T J's Child Care. The Elks Lodge provided 80 drawstring cinch bags with each containing coloring books, crayons and Drug Awareness literature. Each packet contains 24 items. Additionally provided was 250 coloring books and 250 packs of crayons to help the kids out with their daily activities.
Additionally, PER Brown met with Natasha Sperry who is the Prevention Specialist working with Health Recovery Services in Gallia, Jackson and Meigs counties. The Elks Lodge provided 1,000 coloring books and 1,000. Red Ribbon pamphlets to be used in the Gallia County schools.
Newark Elks #391 Bring Drug Awareness To Local Schools
Newark Elks Lodge #391 together with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) were invited to join with 370 Newark City School students in the After School Program on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The purpose of the assembly was to kick off Red Ribbon Month and to bring students drug awareness information.
Lodge chairperson Becky Underhill, joined by Exalted Rulter Kathy Wise and PER Dave Underhill, shared information about the DAP Poster, Essay, and Video contests open to students in grades 3 though 12.
Not wanting to leave the 2nd graders out, Becky created a lodge contest for those kids giving them a chance to be a part of the contest and to win a prize. The committee chose a picture from the DAP coloring book to have the kids color. Those pictures will be returned for judging at the lodge in February along with other contest entries. A small dollar amount was reserved in the award budget for the winner in the 2nd grade category.
Joining Newark Lodge were two agents from the DEA giving the Red Ribbon History, talking about Halloween candy safety, and giving basic drug awareness information. They also brought some of their equipment to show the kids.
After a brief question and answer session, each student received a packet put together by the lodge of age related DAP items and information and a Red Ribbon. Teacher resources packets were also shared with the teachers in the After School Program.
Berea Elks #1815 Shines a Light on The Road to Hope
The Jack Muhall Center located on Cleveland’s west side houses 40 men (many of whom are veterans) recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. Now part of the Road to Hope House, the center provides an abstinence-based, twelve step environment within which the addicted person receives the support, guidance and faith necessary to become a productive member of our society, while living in accordance with a regimen of daily sobriety.
From Left: Michael Plas, Men’s Program Director, Exalted Ruler Danielle Mahany, and Aubrey Oliver, Assistant Executive Director.
Personal Responsibility is at the heart of their program. Residents are required to have a sponsor, attend AA meetings and are charged a nominal monthly fee, but must be gainfully employed and able to pay their own way.
The expectation is that residents develop and hone the discipline and attributes necessary to successfully integrate back into the community and leave the facility after a relatively short period of time.
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 donated $3,000 to the center using funds from an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Gratitude Grant. The monies will be used to purchase a new commerical-grade refrigerator that the center is badly in need of. A number of coffee makers and cleaning supplies were also donated.
Ohio Elks "Spread The Word" To Save Lives
The Ohio Elks, in partnership with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), is again using billboards to “Spread the Word”.
Our two new Drug Awareness billboard displays have been up the month of September. They are located in the Cincinnati area on the Martin Luther King Highway, one on each side of I-71.
There is a high school near one of the boards and a community college near the other. The sign company has estimated the over 765,000 people will see the billboards. The perfect location for young eyes to see our message.
Gallipolis Elks #107 Donates $7,000 to Local Food Programs
From LEFT Bev Young, Terry Burnett, Grace Pastor Ray Kane and ER Mike Null.
Exalted Ruler Mike Null, Gallipolis Elks 107, presented a Lodge donation of $2,000 to the Grace Methodist Church food pantry. The funds were made available from the Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation.
Exalted Ruler Mike also presented a Lodge donation of $2,000 along with $3,000 from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Gallia County Snack Pack Program.
From Left: Karen Bryant, ER Mike Null, Mary Sayre, Nancy Blevins, Patty Boster, Cathy Gholstein, Nancy Smith, Carol Norris, Henry Dillon and Kay Adkins.
Circleville Elks #77 Celebrates 100 Year Building Anniversary
From Left: Wes Riley and Mayor Don McIlroy
Circleville Elks Lodge #77 celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of their building, the Elks Home, on September 16, 2023. Wes Riley, Exalted Ruler, presided over the ceremony. Guest speakers included Howard Honaker, District Deputy GER, as well as Don McIlroy, Mayor of Circleville, who is also a member of Elks Lodge #77.
Howard Honaker, District Deputy GER
ER Riley presented both speakers with a commemorative coin that the Lodge had struck for the special occasion. Mayor McIlroy proclaimed September 16, 2023, as Circleville Elks Lodge 77 Day. The Circleville Pumpkin Show Band provided the music for the ceremony. The Lodge hosted an Open House following the ceremony for members and guests.
Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Lodge #1923 Raises More Than $2,000 For Veterans
Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Elks Lodge #1923 held our 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament Saturday September 9th benefitting local Veterans and Active Military non-profits and organizations.
We had taped off the parking lot, had over 30 players, tons of spectators, a DJ outside, Sueritos cooking their awesome foods, raffle baskets, and a ton of fun. In the end were able to raise over $2,000 in one day which will be distributed organizations helping our military.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Honors Lodge Elk of the Year
Van Wert Elks Lodge No. 1197 recently recognized Bruce A. Davis as Van Wert Lodge “Elk of the Year” for the 2022--2023 Lodge Year. Bruce was presented with a special certificate issued by the Grand Lodge and signed by the Grand Exalted Ruler Bruce A. Hidley.
The “Elk Of The Year” is awarded by a Lodge to one of its members who perform extra service “above and beyond” to the Lodge and its charitable works. Bruce is always willing to do anything he can to help the lodge. He is the main organizer for several fundraisers for the lodge and helps out with other events as well.
Gallipolis Elks #107 Brings Drug Awareness to Local Academy
Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 Drug Awareness Chairman, PER Walton Brown met with Tiffany Marcum, the Director of French City Academy. The Elks Lodge provided 80 drawstring cinch bags with each containing coloring books, crayons and Drug Awareness literature. Each packet contains 24 items. The Elks Lodge also committed to providing additional coloring books and crayons to help the kids out with their daily activities.
FROM LEFT: Walton Brown, 8 students and Tiffany Marcum.
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 Help Wickliffe Police With Defensive Tactical Training
From Left: Est. Loyal Knight Michelle Zayakosky PER Valerie Lawver Exalted Ruler Jeffrey E. Romito PER Brian Cook PER Bob Bell Ptl. Merrifield woth K-9 Bane Trustee David Fye Est. Lecturing Knight Eileen Tucci, Lt. McCaffery, dispatcher Sherry Brzeski ( wife of member Keith Brzeski woth her sons Adam and Ben.
Exalted Ruler Jeff Romito of Willoughby-Cleveland Elks Lodge #18 invited representatives of the Wickliffe Police Department to the lodge tonight to present a Community Service Fund Grant for $1,000 from the Ohio Elks Association which will be used for defensive tactics training.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Announce Lodge Soccer Shoot Champions
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently held its annual Soccer Shoot. There was a girls division and a boys division, competing in four age groups. Trophies were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers. All the 1st place winners will advance to the district competition, which will be held on Saturday, September 23 in Findlay, OH.
The winners included:
Under 8 Girls: 1st Place ~ Reagan Smith
Under 8 Boys: 1st Place ~ Everett Gerker 2nd Place – Owen Sakotis; 3rd Place – Bradley Smith
Under 10 Boys: 1st Place ~ Salvador Salinas
Under 12 Boys: 1st Place ~ Eli Racster; 2nd Place – Aiden Bockrath
Under 12 Girls: 1st Place ~ Hannah Lamb
John Ream, Youth Activities Chair was in charge of the event.
Gallipolis Elks #107 Helps To Restore "Old Glory" on Fortification Hill
Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 donated $4,000 to help pay for the $8,000 restoration of the community flag pole located on Fortification Hill overlooking the City of Gallipolis and the Ohio River.
The broken and eroded brackets on the flag pole have prevented the American flag from being displayed for the past several months and needed to be replaced.
In cooperation between the City of Gallipolis and the Gallipolis Elks, the flag pole has been repaired and painted and the oversized American Flag is again flying over our city and the Ohio River.
The American Flag flown from Fortification Hill is donated annually to the City of Gallipolis by the Gallipolis Elks and is a symbol of the collective pride to the citizens of Gallipolis. The flag can be seen for miles while on the river and approaching Gallipolis by car.
Port Clinton Elks #1718 Helps Battle Food Insecurity
Babs Klacik, General Manager of Bistro 163
Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718 presented a check for $2,500 from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation (ENF) 2024 Gratitude Grant this year to Bistro 163, a pay-it-forward café, and to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. The grant money will be used to help address food insecurity within the community.
Andy Migas, President of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, along with several volunteers
Starting in mid-summer, the Lodge conducts monthly collection days for Elk members to donate items typically not allowed to be purchased with food stamps. The collection is then donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Additionally, this year, in October, lodge members will volunteer at two Bistro 163 Community Meal days by helping box meals, taking phone orders, kitchen clean-up, and, if needed, delivering meals. The Community Meal days, held twice monthly, serve approximately 350 meals daily.
Lima Elks #54 Honors Local Eagle Scout
Lima Elks Lodge #54 recently recognized Evan Conley of BSA Troop #777 during his Eagle Scout Court of Honor.
Evan's Eagle Scout was to construct 3 benches anchored in concrete and placed around the walking trail at the top of Bressler Reservoir. The trail is 3.7 miles so benches were greatly needed to give rest to walkers.
The award consisted of The American flag and the Eagle Scout Certificate frames for hanging along with the Grand Exalted Rulers' Congratulatory letter, Certificate of Merit and the Elks/Scouting Pin.
Congratulations to Evan on his many achievements.
2nd Annual Rib Cook-Off Raises $1,300 For Drug Awareness
Ravenna Elks Lodge #1076 and Kent Elks Lodge #1377 met up Saturday in Ravenna for their 2nd Annual Rib Cook-Off, it was a sizzling success. Together they raised over $1,300 for the Ohio Elks Drug Awareness Program.
Pictured from Left to Right: Eddy Hanna Jr - Kent Elks Exalted Ruler, Eddie Hanna III, Scott Enlow - Ravenna Elks Exalted Ruler
With mouthwatering ribs, friendly competition, and the spirit of giving, the community came together to support their cause. The Elks are incredibly grateful for the generosity of all their members, volunteers, sponsors, and attendees who made this event a resounding triumph.
Congratulations to Eddie Hanna III from Kent Elks #1377 for winning the competition for the 2nd year in a row.
Special thanks to Gary Miller from Miller Garage Door for the generous donation to provide the ribs.
The money raised will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by drug-related challenges, thanks to the Ohio Elks Drug Awareness Program.
Gallipolis Elks #107 Spreads Drug Awareness Across Community
From left: Samantha Shaffer, her daughter Annalee and Walton Brown.
Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 Drug Awareness Chairman, PER Walton Brown assisted the Gallia County Sheriff department by providing Drug Awareness information to the visitors at a recently held Fly In / Car Show, the Vinton Village Party, and at the City Park in downtown Gallipolis, Ohio. More than 240 packets were given out at these events containing coloring books, crayons and Drug Awareness literature. Each packets contained 24 items.