Gallipolis Elks #107 Fighting Hunger With $8,500 Donation
Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 presented a Lodge donation of $5,000 along with a check for $3,500 from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Gallia County Snack Pack Program. The donation was presented to Snack Pack representatives. The funds are used to purchase nonperishable food snacks for school children of Gallia County to take home over the weekend. Currently, the Gallia County Snack Pack is delivering over 600 snack packs per month to local schools for distribution to children that are in need.
From Left: Exalted Ruler Dan Bowman, Carol Norris, Nancy Blevins, Mary Sayre, Kay Adkins, Patty Bostic, Henry Dillon, Pat Dillon and Gallipolis Elks Secretary Fred Bryant.
Ohio Elks Visit VA Hospital In Cleveland
Elks members had the privilege of recently touring the Louis Stokes Department of Veterans Medical Center in Cleveland Ohio. Ohio Elks Representative Gary Farkas organized our visit with tour guides Desmond Kennedy Assistant Chief & Stephanie Bailey Research Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy Center.
We were shown the many medical services that are offered to our Veterans, including outpatient clinics, with the benefits of the latest health care technology. Our three-hour tour wasn’t long enough to see this entire facility. Rep. Gary is very dedicated and does a phenomenal job giving back to our men & women veterans.
During the visit, the Elks donated socks which are greatly appreciated by the veterans.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Award Scholarship to Local Student
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 announced the awarding of a $4,000 Legacy Award Scholarship by the Elks National Foundation to Sarah Verville. The Legacy Award Scholarships are awarded by the Elks National Foundation and are only available to children and grandchildren of Elk Members. Sarah graduated this spring from Van Wert High School.
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 Sarah during this competition.
Salem Elks #305 Supports Local Parks Department
From left: Kim Chapman, CSG Chairman, Kelli Pastore with the Salem Parks Dept accepting the check from Ben Blevins, Exalted Ruler. Pictures to follow of the furniture.
The Salem Parks Department applied for a $1,000 Community Service Grant through the Salem Elks Lodge #305 offered via the Ohio Elks Association. The Parks Dept. proposed buying Adirondack chairs and side tables for the community swimming pool at Centennial Park.
Salem Lodge submitted the paperwork to the state CSG Chairman in May. We were informed in June the Salem Parks Dept has been chosen to receive 1 of the 4 grants available in the NE District.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Donate To Local First Responders
From left: Brock Profit, Middle Point Fire Chief and Lodge Community Service Grant Chairman Michael C. Stanley.
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $1000 to the Middle Point Volunteer Fire Department. The department used the monies to purchase a Pi-Lit Rechargeable sequential flare and Med Evan LZ kit. These road flares when deployed on the ground “link up” to each other flashing in pattern to direct traffic around an accident scene. The second part of these flares is the Med Evac LZ. These can be deployed to mark a site for a landing zone for Medical helicopters. These are a green led light that is IR rated. This allows the helicopter pilot to use their on-board night vision to spot the LZ from 5-6 miles out.
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 $37,524.72 back into Van Wert County to assist the city, county and villages.
Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be able to assist the Middle Point Fire Department with this important project.
Gallipolis Elks #107 Help Local Food Pantry
From Left: Terry Burnett, Trustee, Marlene Stout, Director of the Grace Food Pantry and Exalted Ruler Dan Bowman.
Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 presented a Lodge donation of $2,000 to the Grace Methodist Church food pantry. The funds were made available through the Spotlight Grant, courtesy of the Elks National Foundation.
Conneaut Elks #256 Support Eagle Scout Project To Help Save Lives
Conneaut Elks Lodge #256 had a presentation by Boy Scout John Repasky. John is proposing the "Hunter Project" for his Eagle Scout project.
From Left: Phil Warren (Chaplain of Elks #256)), Cindy Blank (Secretary), Brad Howard (Trustee), John Repasky , Dan Blank (Exalted Ruler), Don Savel (Trustee), Rich McKenna (Loyal Knight), and Sandy Abramovich (Esquire).
In June of this year, 11 year old Hunter Ebie was swimming at Conneaut Township Park and was caught in the rip tide and lost his life, His body was discovered 4 days later. John Repasky for his Eagle Scout project is proposing to build 4 Kiosks to be placed on and around the beach. On the kiosk there will be posters that will have information on rip tides as well as a first aid kit and a QR code which, when used will give the current conditions of the lake. The Conneaut Elks donated $500 towards his project.
Newark Elks #391 Helps Homeless Veterans in Licking County
From left: Esteemed Loyal Knight and Lodge Veterans Chairman John Ridenbaugh, PER, Licking County Veterans Service Commission Director April Foster, Lodge #391 Exalted Ruler , Mark Gilligan.
Newark Elks Lodge #391 used the Elks National Foundation (ENF) Freedom Grant to provide temporary housing units to the Licking County Veterans Service Commission. 15 weather-proof sleeping bags, pillows and personal hygiene kits were delivered to assist temporary homeless veterans with bedding when short term housing is unavailable.
This need is especially helpful during the mid-wests winter season.
Newark Elks #391 Donate Shirts to Local School District
Thank you to members Jerry Swank, Dick and Becky Shoults, Nasie Gallagher, and ENF Co-Chairs Kristin Gallagher and Vanessa Stalnaker.
Using an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Beacon Grant, Newark Elks Lodge #391 were able to provide shirts to Newark City Schools middle and high school students. The shirts were given out at NCS Rally in the Alley on Saturday, August 10th at The Works. While NCS is no longer requiring uniform shirts, there is still a need for good clothes and we are happy to help.
Donations from lodge members to Elks National Foundation provide the ability to submit and receive grant's totaling thousands of dollars each year.
Jackson Elks #466 #1 In Ohio For CP Per Capita Giving
Pictured are Jackson Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler and the lodge's CP Chairman Lynn Denny and State ChairPERSON Sara Dunavent.
Jackson Elks Lodge# 466 received the top award for for being #1 in per-capita giving to Cerebral Palsy in the state of Ohio achieving an incredible $34.56 per member!
Kenton Elks #157 Donate $6,000 To Local Fire Department
From Left: Kenton Firefighters Warren, Foulk, Brammel, and Trout. They flank Kenton Fire Chief and Lodge member, Bruce Donnelly, and Kenton PER, Julie Crowe.
Kenton Elks Lodge #157 used a $6,000 combined Beacon & Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation (ENF) to purchase four new, high-efficiency air cylinders for the Kenton Fire Department.
These cylinders offer much-needed backup air supply for the firefighters when on a working fire scene.
Ohio Elks Association award $24,000 in Community Grants
At the Ohio Elks Fall Reunion, lodges from across Ohio each accepted $1,000 checks made out to local community police, fire, and recreation departments funded by the Ohio Elks Community Service Fund Grant. Each year 24 of these grants are awarded to lodges who apply.
Napoleon Elks #929 Support Junior Golf Program
The Napoleon Elks Lodge #929 recently made a $1,000 donation to the Tee It Up Club, which will help for the start up of a Napoleon Junior High golf team. The donation from the Elks helps supply the members of the junior high team with a golf membership for the year and the purchase of uniforms for each golfer.
This is the first season for the Tee It Up Club. The Napoleon Elks have also supported the Napoleon High School boys and girls golf teams this year by sponsoring a hole for the Mossing Scholarship Golf Outing.
These funds came from the lodge through our gaming machines 501(c)(3) donations.
From Left: Nathan Butler, president of the Tee It Up Club; Brian Bostelman, coach of the Napoleon Junior High golf team; Dan Bischoff, Napoleon Elks exalted ruler; and Mark Wiemken of the Napoleon Elks.
Upper Sandusky Elks #83 Supports Public Health Event
Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83 Head Trustee Mark Droll participated in the Wyandot County Public Health Zero Proof Event!
Today's Zero-Proof mocktail recipe comes from Mark Droll with the Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83. This was the big winner at our Zero-Proof Mix Off and is sure to be a winner at your next gathering with designated drivers and sober guests of all ages!
Rock in' Poppin' Shirley Temple
🍒 Ingredients: 👉 Glassful of ice cubes 👉 1 oz. grenadine 👉 4 oz. zero-sugar ginger ale 👉 1 maraschino cherry for garnish 👉 One spoonful of red pop rocks Instructions: 👉 Fill a glass with ice 👉 Add grenadine 👉 Top with ginger ale (or sub lemon lime soda) 👉 Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a spoonful of pop rocks for some zing!!!
Lima Elks #54 Hosts WOAL Championship Swim Meet
The Lima Elks Lodge #54 sponsored the WOAL (Western Ohio Aquatic League) Championship Swim Meet at the Bluffton pool. Over 500 swimmers representing 8 swim teams from 4 counties participated in this event.
Winner who placed 7th through 16th received ribbons. Elks members presented medallions to the top six winners of each event. In addition, the 1st place winner for each individual and relay event received a t-shirt.
Thanks go to Becky Butterfield, Scott Few, ER Jim Foust, PER Jim Plumb and PER Jean Zink from Lima Lodge #54 for their assistance with this event.
This event was started by Lima Lodge #54 ~50 years ago. It grew so large so quickly that we partnered with the WOAL. This event is the capstone event of the summer swimming season and is now known as the Elks Invitational Swim Meet and WOAL Championships.
Lima Elks #54 Announces Jr. Golf Tournament Winners
Lima Junior Golf Association Tournament of Champions
Lima Elks Lodge #54 sponsored the Lima Junior Golf Association Tournament of Champions, held at Shawnee Country Club. The winners were:
Boys 16-18:
Kyle Sutton 69
Boys 14-15:
Davis Maag 80
Boys 12-13:
Calvin Byrum 35
Girls 16-18: Zoey Merritt 74
Girls 15-and-under:
Marian Nagel 44
Congratulations to all the winners!
Berea Elks #1815 Donates School Supplies To Local Middle School
Members of Berea Elks Lodge #1815 packed and delivered 130 backpacks to Berea-Midpark Middle School. These backpacks were stuffed with every school supply needed for the upcoming school year and will be distributed to the incoming 5th grade students at the school.
In all, more than $6,000 of supplies were donated using funds from an Elks National Foundation grant. To help make the grant reach more students, all the backpacks were purchased and donated by lodge members.
The backpacks will be distributed by school officials to students in financial need.
Lima Elks #54 Supports Local Veterans Food Pantry
After volunteering by helping to unload food from Ruler Foods and stocking shelves, Lima Elks Lodge #54 members presented a check for $2,000 to Betsy Potts, Director of the Veterans Food Pantry. This donation was funded by the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant.
From left: Tom Riegle, Lima Elks #54 Lodge President Jim Faust, Betsy Potts, John M. Brown, and Mike Ryan.
The Veterans Food Pantry provides food products to nearly 300 honorably discharged military veteran individuals and their families along with active duty family members on a monthly basis. We were also pleased to learn that these monies will be used on Saturday August 17 when Meijer has a special Day of Giving and will make the check amount triple to equal $6,000 worth of food products. Anyone interested can also participate by purchasing a donation ticket to the Food Pantry. Another Day of Giving will also take place again on Saturday September 14, 2024. Please participate!
Lorain Elks #1301 Uses ENF Grants to Help Students and Moms and Babies in Lorain County
Lorain Elks Lodge #1301 used a portion of an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Beacon Grant to purchase supplies for 310 school bookbags for Lorain County children in conjunction with Wee Care Closet.
Bookbags,crayons, notepads, workbooks & more were assembled and delivered by Elks volunteers to those school children in need. Pictured with Wee Care T-shirt on assembly day is ER: Barbara Szalay. From left to right shown with assembled bookbags are Elks Members: ER: Barb Szalay, new members Cathy Pastron & JoAnn Myers.
Elks volunteer shoppers also utilized part of an ENF Gratitude Grant to restock Resource Moms of Mercy/Bon Secours Hospital Pantry with needed supplies to Needy Moms and Babies of Lorain County.
Conneaut Elks #256 wards $3,000 In Scholarships
Conneaut Elks Lodge #256 held a scholarship presentation for three area high school student. Each scholarship was for $1,000 towards their future schooling. Attached is a group photo of 2 of the scholarship winners. The 3rd was unable to attend
From Left: Brian & SARAH Bidwell (Parents of Lincoln), Lincoln Wade, Dan Blank (Exalted Ruler), Kimberly Dean (Scholarship recipient), and Robert & SARAH Dean (Parents of Kimberly)
The three winners of the Ed Kalmers Memorial Scholarship are:
Robert Scott Edwards Jr. - $1,000 (Robert was unable to attend)
Kimberly Dean - $1,000
Lincoln Wade - $1,000