Salem Elks #305 Make Christmas Brighter For Local Families
It started with Pam Gorby, Elks National Foundation (ENF) Chairperson applying for two Community Investment Program (CIP) Grants: Beacon Grant and Spotlight Grant for $6,000.
Partnering with the Salem Salvation Army, we were able to make Christmas a little brighter for 19 families with the number of children totaling 40.
We were given Christmas lists for each child and spent 5 1/2 hours shopping at Walmart to fill those wish lists. A big thank you to Wayne and Pam Gorby, Doug and Patty Rudibaugh, Suzann Musser, Dawn Jackson, Jeff and Kim Chapman. All the packages were picked up by Lt. Angelica Spence, her husband, and children Drake and Mackenzie, along with Liam and Bethann.
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 Help Local Veterans
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 Past Exalted Ruler Kirk Kokal is with Al Green Jr. of the Cleveland VA. Kirk was dropping off some of the warming kits the lodge assembled, as well of some of the welcome home kits that were assembled earlier this year for veterans who are transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
Al is the son Al Green the legendary soul singer. Funds for both the warming kits and welcome home kits are from an Elks National Foundation (ENF) grant.
members and spouses oF Willoughby-Cleveland ELKS Lodge #18 and Willoughby Emblem Club #508 assembled 120 warming bags for hoMeless veterans in our surrounding communities.
Hamilton Elks #93 Awarded $10,000 Elks National Foundation Impact Grant To Help Seniors In Their Community
Impact Grants are competitive, $10,000 grants awarded to Lodges who ultimately understand a problem in their community, have a unique idea about how to solve it, and are ready with the volunteer power to get it done.
220 lodges submitted an idea.
40 lodges were invited to apply.
Only 9 lodges were selected.
First Ohio lodge to receive the Impact Grant since 2017.
With this grant, we will be working with the Butler County Adult Protective Services in Butler County focusing on food insecurity for senior citizens. Federal anti-hunger aid in Ohio was slashed by over 1.2 billion dollars in 2023, working families and older adults have seen the biggest cuts.
Senior citizens in our community have been affected by the loss of the Supplemental COVID SNAP benefit funds in February 2023. This reduced the allotment of food per household by $172 (Or $86 per person.) An adult age 60 or older previously received a $281 monthly food allowance now they only receive $258. With the reduction in benefits and coping with the highest food inflation since 1979, many seniors' nutritional needs are not being met.
We have a senior community of about 400 to 500 that fall below the poverty level and receive assistance from Butler County Job and Family Services. These seniors have limited income and food supply issues, and some are home-bound. Our goal is to help our seniors in our immediate
community and service their needs to the best of our ability. Butler County Adult Protective Services will provide us with a list of senior citizens as well as which perishable and non-perishable goods are needed. Every month our members will shop for the food and then bring it back to the lodge to be boxed and labeled. We will then deliver the boxes to the homes of the senior citizens.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Announces Local Hoop Shoot Winners
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 held their Annual Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Goedde Building, Van Wert City Schools in Van Wert. The contest was open to all boys and girls, ages 8 thru 13 and the boys and girls competed separately in their age class. All participants shoot 25 free throw shots to compete.
The Elks National “Hoop Shoot” is the nation’s largest co-ed sports competition and the only non-commercial sporting event conducted on a national basis. More than three million boys and girls, ages 8 to 13, from all fifty states, compete in the Elks “Hoop Shoot” contests at various levels of competition each year.
The first place winners of the local contest will advance to the district competition, which will be held at OSU-Lima/Rhoades State College – Cook Hall, Lima, OH on January 7, 2023.
This year’s winners were
8-9 Boys: Asher Eberle, 1st place; Tynan Dreyer, 2nd place & Logan Recker, 3rd place 10-11 Girls: Myma Dreyer, 1stplace & Natalie Recker, 2nd place
10-11 Boys: Jack Clark, 1st place; Dylan Armstrong, 2nd place & Vander Hotstetler, 3rd place
12-13 Girls: Molly Recker, 1st place; Kynlee Geary, 2nd place & Ember Terhark, 3rd place
12-13 Boys: Kylie Dreyer, 1st place
John Ream, Lodge Chairman thanks everyone who participated in the contest this year.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Celebrate Christmas With Community
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 held their annual Christmas Party for the children and grandchildren of Elk members on Saturday, December 9th. The kids were kept well entertained and 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 take their special requests for gifts.
Passing of Ohio Elks Association First Lady Heather Martin
It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce the passing of Heather Martin, First Lady of the Ohio Elks Association. Her obituary has been posted here:
http://www.heylfuneralhome.com/obituary/Heather-Martin
Please keep her family and President Pav in your thoughts and your prayers as they mourn this loss. Please also respect the family’s privacy as they begin the grieving process.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
Willoughby - Cleveland Elks #18 Help Keep Veterans Warm This Winter
Today we received another donation of aphgans for distrubution to local veterans in local nursing homes. The ones pictured represent only a small portion that have been donated to us. We distrute these to local nursing facilities, where they are presented in person by representatives of the lodge to the veteran at the facility. We also donate to the veteran women’s shelter which is located in downtown Cleveland on Euclid Ave. as well as the Geauga County Veterans facility.
Exalted Ruler Jeff Romito and Past Exalted Ruler Kirk Kokal stopped at the VRC in Cleveland today to drop off 31 coats and 30 packages of socks to help the homeless veterans who are staying there. But we couldn't have done this alone. A big thanks to The Work Smart Clothing outlet in Willowick, The Diamandback Bar in Eastlake, Top Shelf Embroidery in Mentor for all of their hard work and generous donations that made this possible. The balance of this donation was made possible by The Elks National Foundation.
Lima Elks #54 Announces Local Hoop Shoot Winners
The 52nd Annual Elks Hoop Shoot was held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 with seven area schools participating. The Elks Hoop Shoot is the national free throw shooting contest for boys and girls age 8 through 13.
The local 1st place winners will compete in the District Hoop Shoot on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at The Ohio State University-Lima/Rhodes State College campus – Cook Hall. Winners will advance to the State, Regional, and National Hoop Shoot competitions.
The local winners were:
8-9 Girls
Julia Thompson – Spencerville
10-11 Girls
J’Lynn Shaw – Waynesfield Goshen
8-9 Boys
Hudson Wiechart – Spencerville
10-11 Boys
Owen Klausing – Spencerville
12-13 Boys
Keaton Elwer – Delphos St Johns
Berea Elks Partners with Berea Police for Safe Kids
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 partnered with Berea Police for the 24th Annual Holiday and Cocktail Party benefiting Safe Kids of Cleveland held at the I-X Center. The event helped raise $15,000 for the non-profit that works with local organizations and law enforcement to keep kids safe in a variety of environments.
Despite the Grinch’s negative review, the team won “Best Tasting Cocktail” with the signature drink called a “Sunrise Boulevard” which consisted of equal parts apple cider, orange juice, grapefruit juice and real maple syrup, garnished with dehydrated lemon and lime wheels.
Elror the Elk was on hand to spread the awareness of drug and alcohol abuse. The event drew nearly 300 people and was even highlighted on local Cleveland TV news channels.
Willoughby-Cleveland Lodge #18 Honors Veterans
On November 11th members of Cleveland-Willoughby Elks Lodge #18, including Past State President Lance Knight and Past Exalted Ruler Kirk Kokal participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Soldiers & Sailors monument in downtown Cleveland.
Lance Knight served our country in the Air Force and Kirk Kokal served our country in Marine Corps.
Toledo-Sylvania Elks #53 Partner with Mom's House to Assist Single-Parents
On November 15, the Toledo-Sylvania Elks Lodge #53 presented over $1500 of their Spotlight Grant to the Mom's House of Toledo, a non-profit childcare center that strives to break cycles of poverty for at-risk parents.
ENF Grants Coordinator Matt Meinke presented the check to Derayna Webb, Wellness Coordinator at Mom's House, to be used for Literacy and educational programs, as well as buying new books for their Lending Library.
The Lodge also held a Diaper and Formula Drive from August-October, donating over 1,200 diapers and five pounds of baby formula to Mom's House.
Berea Elks #1815 & Lakewood Elks #1350 Partner For Veterans Dinner
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 partnered with Lakewood Elks Lodge #1350 to host a special dinner for veterans and their families. In all more than 80 veterans and guests attended the event, held at Lakewood Lodge with a free dinner to all who served, followed by bowling in their bowling alley afterwards.
Many thanks to all the volunteers from both lodges that helped make the event possible. Also, a special thanks goes out to the Youngstown Air Force Reserve Color Guard who presented the colors to open the evening.
As we say…”so long as there are veterans, the Elks will never forget them”.
Ohio River Valley Elks #231 Supports Local Veterans
Ohio River Valley Elks #231 received a Freedom Grant from the Elks National Foundation. They contacted ten nursing homes and got sizes of their veterans. They then purchased henley shirts, fleece pants and hoodies for all 75 of them.
They also received socks (donated by Sam's Club), purchased slipper socks, hats, afghans, and cookies.
The lodge also contacted local schools and our Belmont County Retired Teachers who donated generous amounts hygiene items.
Every veteran received an extra large bags of shampoo, body wash, razors and shaving cream, candy, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, puzzle books, pencils, tissues, and so much more!
Eight teams of Elks' members delivered all of the bags!
Van Wert Elks #1197 Soccer Shoot Contestant Wins State Competition.
Everett with his first place trophy at the state competition.
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 is happy to announce that Everett Gerker representing Van Wert Elks Lodge at the State Soccer contest held in Coshocton, Ohio on Saturday, October 28, 2023 placed first in his age group.
Everett competed in the Ages 7 and under division and competed against the winners from the other five districts. Everett had competed and won the local lodge contest. He then went on to compete at the Northwest District contest held in Findlay.
Everett will not only represent this lodge, but the Northwest District and the Ohio Elks Association at the Regional Contest, which will be held on March 1-3, 2024 in York, PA.
Van Wert Elks Lodge wishes Everett the best as he moves forward.
Berea Elks #1815 Partners With Police To Take Back Drugs
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 partnered with Berea Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Several pounds of unused and/or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs were collected at the lodge and safely disposed of by the police department.
This event helps to keep drugs out of landfills and our water system, but more importantly it keeps these potentially dangerous drugs away from kids or addicts and off the black market.
The lodge also partnered with Grindstone Elementary school for the PTA trunk-o-treat night bringing the Northeast district’s drug awareness trailer loaded with information and candy. About 300 kids came by to visit the spooky trailer for a treat and information.
Ashland Elks #1360 Spread Drug Awareness To Local Kids
FROM LEFT: Exalted Ruler Mike Fallon, Leading Knight Sam Miller
During the fourth annual costume caper, Ashland Elks #1360 used the opportunity to spread the word about drug awareness. Around 1,000 ghouls and goblins... And Bluey's descended on downtown to fill their truck or treat bags on Halloween. Along with the drug awareness coloring books and pamphlets, the lodge handed out hot chocolate on the cold night and of course candy.
Salem Elks Hosts Trunk-O-Treat, Raising Awareness About The Dangers of Drugs
Pictured are Aiden Gilbert, Jeff Chapman Elroy the Elk and Lonnie Gilbert IV . The boys were escorted by their mother, Katie Gilbert.
Salem Elks Lodge #305 recently held their Annual Trunk-o-Treat. Information regarding Drug Awareness was passed out as well as lots of candy. Elroy the Elk, the Drug Awareness Program mascot was on hand to give everyone a high five.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Helps Local Volunteer Fire Department
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $881.00 to the Wren Volunteer Fire Department. The department used the monies to purchase a Streamlight Portable Scene Light with AC/DC charger.
FROM LEFT with the new piece of equipment is Michael R. Marchek, Wren Fire Chief and Lodge Community Service Grant Chairman Michael C. Stanley.
This will be used to assist in lighting up a fire or vehicle crash scene at night. Deployed at a fire scene, the light can be used to light up the drop tank fill area, or light the area of ground from the trucks to the structure fire to prevent injuries from other equipment or terrain.
The monies are distributed by the Ohio Elks Association in the form of a Community Service Grant. The Ohio Elks Association receives monies each year from the Elks National Foundation, a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by close to 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.
To date, thru the Community Service Grants, Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 has distributed $36,524.72 back into Van Wert County to assist the city, county and villages.
Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be able to assist the Wren Fire Department with this important project.
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 & Emblem Club Support Local Veterans in Need
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks Lodge #18 and Emblem Club #508 assembled our "troops" to help homeless Veterans in our surrounding communities. In the back of that box truck are over 120 bags, each of which contains sweat pants and tops, longjohn tops and bottoms, hats, gloves and socks.
These will be distributed to area veterans outreach agencies, who will then put them in the hands of Veterans who may be homeless. We should also give a big tip of the antlers to Joe Longo from Longos Pizzeria and Pastinas Restaurant for letting us use the truck at no charge, and to Mary from WorkSmart in Willowick for helping us purchase the clothing at a substantial discount. So much of a discount, that we will be purchasing jackets as well for distrubution.
And of course a huge thank you to Lisa Kreischer and Moria Fee for all of their efforts on the Gary Luster Memorial Run the past few years, without who's generous donation we would not be able to reach a much more broader base of those in need. This is the first step in this project, we will be assessing the bags in the very near future to prepare them for distribution.
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 Support Local Treatment Center
Pictured are a representative of the facility and Past Exalted Ruler Michael Felice who is also a dual member of Emblem.
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks Lodge #18 and Emblem #508 stopped at Highland Springs and dropped off over $375 worth of puzzle books and playing cards off to the Activities Department for patients to use during free time.
Highland Springs is a short term, drug and alcohol addiction treatment center that also offers mental health counseling to persons in crisis.