Willoughby-Cleveland Elks #18 Keeping Veterans Warm This Winter
Social workers Summer and Julie of CBOC with donated winter warmer kits.
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks Lodge #18 partnered with CBOC (Community Based outreach Center) in Willoughby donating 21 veteran warming kits in addition to 100 pairs of socks. Additionally, the lodge will be delivering 45 coats to various organizations in the area who work to help homeless veterans.
2024 Ohio Elks Association State Golf Tournament Announced!
Findlay Elks Lodge #75 will be hosting the 2024 Ohio Elks State Golf Tournament on September 7th and 8th, 2024.
The tournament will be held at the Hillcrest Golf Club and the Sycamore Springs Golf Course, two 18-hole golf courses within 15 minutes of the Lodge property. The scramble format will used again this year with both Open and Senior Flights available. Each of these flights will be broken into 2 divisions heading into final round play to afford golfers of all skill levels a competitive tournament experience. One change of note this year, any team with a minimum of 3 lady golfers have the option of competing in the Senior Division of the tournament.
Ashland Elks #1360 Holds 17th Annual Christmas Breakfast
Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 held its 17th annual Christmas Breakfast for those who cannot be with family and friends.
A free hot breakfast was served from 9-10:30 a.m. with 42 people attending
The event is part of the Elks' mission of giving back to the community. Elks members provide money to fund the breakfast and volunteer their time to prepare and serve the meal.Ashland Emblem Club 61 also gave a monetary donation for the breakfast
Larry Stine coordinates the breakfast and was joined by 13 other volunteers. Mike Fallon is Ashland Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler who also helped cook the breakfast.
Massillon-North Canton Elks #2029 Helps Local Food Pantries
Massillon-North Canton Elks Lodge #2029 donated to five local food pantries in North Canton this Fall through the Elks National Foundation (ENF) Spotlight Grant.
Donations were given and the Elks toured the facilities to see how they worked and what their individual needs were.
These Food Pantries are run out of:
Zion Lutheran Church
First Christian Church
North Canton Church of Christ
The Summit Church
John Knox Presbyterian Church
Van Wert Elks #1197 Help Local Fire Department
Pictured left to right are Convoy Fire Chief Gary Kreischer and Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman.
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $1,000 to the Convoy Fire & EMS for the purchase of two sections of 5” LDH supply/attack hose for their tanker truck. This will enable them to draft water from a pond or other resource to supply a large amount of water to the Fire Engine or a Tanker shuttle.
The monies are from a Gratitude Grant the lodge received from the Elks National Foundation. Gratitude Grants are given to lodges that meet their per-capita goal of donations to 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 2,000 Elks Lodges across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
With this donation they will be able to draw needed water for a fire scene.
Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the Convoy Fire and EMS with the excellent fire protection they provide.
Berea Elks #1815 Hosts Alia Bailey Toy Drive
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 once again hosted family and friends of Alia Bailey whom the world lost to a terrible car accident in January of 2017 at the all too young age of 6. Since that tragedy, the lodge has hosted an annual toy and gift drive in her memory to benefit pediatric patients at MetroHealth, where Alia was treated after the accident.
Dozens of people helped wrap presents and deliver them to Metro. It was the largest turnout yet with literally hundreds and hundreds of gifts donated in here name.
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.