East Liverpool Elks #258 And Wellsville Elks #1040 Partner For Veterans Stand Down Event
East Liverpool Elks Lodge #258 and Wellsville Elks Lodge #1040 put their $1,000 Elks National Foundation (ENF) Freedom Grants together and added an additional $2,500 for their annual Veterans Stand Down.
At the Stand Down 87 veterans received coats, hats, blankets, socks, and sweatshirts & pants along vouchers for shoes from a local business. There was a total of 14 members from both lodges that volunteered to help the Veterans get their items.
Newark Elks Lodge #391 Celebrates Red Ribbon Week
The Newark Elks Lodge celebrated Red Ribbon week with 2 big events.
First, was a visit to Newark City Schools to spend an afternoon with the After School Adventures students, 375 in all. 12 high school, 60 middle school, and 303 elementary kids listened intently to the three Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) agents as they talked about “One Pill Can Kill”. The agents then showed the students some of the equipment they use in their work. Also on hand to talk to the younger kids were 2 Licking County Sheriff Deputies and their therapy dog, Stella. Deputy Van Balen talked about safe Trick or Treat, stranger danger, and on line safety. The students were given bags filled with age appropriate items such as coloring books, crayons, bookmarks, Red Ribbons and pledge cards, key chains, pencils and wrist bands.
Then the Lodge participated in Safe Trick or Treat on the Square. This year the main feature, the dinosaurs from the Lost Lands, were on hand for kids to see. This brought a record number of people to the square. The lodge handed out over 1,200 DAP items, including pencils, wrist bands, coloring books, and bookmarks as well as candy.
The Newark Lodge purchased and displayed a Red Ribbon Drug Awareness sign this year for Red Ribbon Week. The sign served as a reminder to live your best life drug free.
Lima Elks #54 Announces Local Hoop Shoot Champions
The 53rd Annual Lima Elks Hoop Shoot was held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 with 6 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 5, 2025 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
Stella Kunkleman – Spencerville
10-11 Girls
Lillian Perkins – Temple Christian
12-13 Girls
Kaynlee Geary – Delphos Jefferson
8-9 Boys
Brody Howe – St Charles
10-11 Boys
Kal McPheron – Spencerville
12-13 Boys
Wyatt Bishop – Spencerville
Athens Elks #973 Supports Veterans & Local Community
Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated over $2,500 worth of clothing, blankets, gloves, hats, and hygiene supplies to the Athens County Stand Down event held on October 4, 2024. The lodge had 10 volunteers do the shopping and 25 volunteers helped with packing the bags for the event.
During the event, there were 6 lodge members who volunteered to walk the Veterans around to learn about the social services available, select their coats, boots and get their bag. The Stand Down Event is held to provide resources for veterans and others who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. $2,000 was through the support of Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant.
The lodge also donated $300 to Chillicothe Elks Lodge #52 for their Veteran’s Christmas Dinner & Party from the Ross County VA facility. They expect 120 veterans to attend the dinner and they will also receive a Christmas treat bag.
Another $500 from the lodge was donated to the Friends of Athens County CASA. The Athens. County Court Appointed Special Advocates Guardian Ad Litem program represents the best interests of children involved in juvenile court because of abuse and neglect. This contribution will help recruit and train more community volunteers to serve as CASA’s.
Lima Elks #54 Honors Eagle Scouts
Recently, the Lima Elks Lodge #54 recognized Daniel Jenkins of BSA Troop #162, Noah Sims of BSA Troop #106, Cody Bryan of BSA Troop #84, Matthew Schum of BSA Troop #162 and Aaron Hull of BSA Troop #777 during their Eagle Scout Courts of Honor.
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.
For his Eagle Scout project, Daniel built bat houses along the river walk behind Safety City in Lima; Noah renovated the courtyard at Heritage Elementary School in Lima; Cody built Adirondack chairs and picnic tables for the American Township Fire Department; Matthew built a sign and 3 flower boxes for Safety City in Lima; and Aaron repaired the worn-out concrete steps at his church.
Congratulations to these young men on their many achievements.
Gallipolis Elks #107 Hosts Veteran Dinner
A veterans’ appreciation dinner was recdently held at the Gallia Co Council on Aging in concert with the Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107. 115 meals were served to the veterans and their guests. Boy Scout Troop 200, VFW Auxiliary, Gallia Co. Council on Aging board members and staff along with members of Gallipolis Elks Lodge assisted in the meal service. The funding for the meal was provided by Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107. Veterans from each branch of service were recognized along with the Commanders of the various veterans’ organizations.
East Liverpool Elks #258 Raise Over $1,000 For Veterans.
Pictured are members (l to r) Cindy Waggle, Jim Chan, Rick Wolfe, Len Yanni, ER Anthony Zirillo, Pam Eastham, Veterans Committee Chair Jeff Mercer, Lori Hanna, Ernie Eastham, and Mike Marrelli
East Liverpool Elks Lodge #258 held a tag day for the Veterans Committee and raised $1,020 to help our local Veterans.
Lima Elks #54 Sponsor Youth Symphony Orchestra
Lima Elks Lodge #54 sponsored the Lima Symphony Orchestra Young People's Concert. Approximately 3,000 students from 7 counties attended. The concert was directed by guest conductor Karl Hirzer and featured world-renowned electric violin soloists Tracy Silverman.
This sponsorship of the Lima Symphony Orchestra Young People's Concert from Lima Lodge #54 was made possible from the Lima Fifty Four Athletic and Scholastic Fund.
Hamilton Elks #93 Help Local Veteran House
Are a few miles up the road from the Cincinnati V.A., Where the Fisher House facility provides lodging for V.A. hospital patients and their families. Some of these patients are experiencing housing insecurity, so the Lode opted for the Adopt-A-Haven project plan under the Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation (ENF), which makes veteran transitional living facilities better places to stay.
At the Fisher House , the to-do-list included fixing the bricks on the patio, washing the patio floor and steps, tearing down, and replacing the vegetable gardens, trimming trees, and assembling rocking chairs and storage cabinets. About a dozen Elks jumped into action to accomplish these tasks, purchasing supplies, and putting them to use. By the end of the day, their efforts resulted in a refurbished space for the veterans and their families.
"One of the biggest successes is all the Elk volunteers that came together to work on this project," says Grant Coordinator Don Bickel. " the other
success is that we do have two spaces where veterans and their families can go: the patio and the balcony. Both spaces are relaxing and peaceful for meditation or just plain quiet time to reflect on the day's events.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Announce Students of the Month
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 selected Trace C. Klausing and Grace Brickner, seniors at Lincolnview High School as the recipients of the Student of the Month for October.
Students are nominated by their high schools to receive this award. Each Student of the Month receives a monetary donation along with a certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 with the possibility to be named the Student of the Year. Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements – Volunteerism, Character, Leadership, Service, Citizenship and Scholastic.
This program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for their achievements in school and community. The Elks wish to recognize and praise those students for their accomplishments, their activities, and their contributions to society through this program.
Gallipolis Elks #107 Help North Carolina Elks With Hurricane Relief
From left: Gallipolis Elks members Kenny Caudill, Tim Wright, Chaplin Jonathon Elliott, ER Dan Bowman, Leading Knight Ron Pitchford and Shawna Pitchford at the Hendersonville Lodge #1616 relief area.
Hurricane Helene continued its destructive path into North Carolina and caused all the flooding and damage in Asheville, NC, Leading Knight Ron Pitchford and his wife, Shawna, quickly put together a relief effort to help the people in that area.
They contacted Hendersonville, NC, Elks #1616 to coordinate the effort and to find out what items were needed. A staging area was established and requests were put on Facebook for relief items.
The public response was outstanding. Items were collected over a two-week period and filled three box vans and one semi-trailer. Numerous Lodge members donated their time to help with the collection of items such as food, water, tents, bedding, grills and charcoal, pots and pans, pet supplies, medicines, clothing, cleaning supplies and etc.
Numerous Gallia businesses donated equipment, services, pallets of water and food plus there were over 300 donations from the Gallia community. The fully loaded box vans were driven to Hendersonville Elks #1616 and the semi-trailer supplies were delivered to the Hendersonville Calvary Fellowship Church. The items were then loaded onto other vehicles for distribution.
A $2,500 check was presented to Hendersonville Lodge #1616 ER to help with their efforts to feed and support their community. The $2,500 check was comprised of contributions from the community, Gallipolis Elk members and the Lodge. All the donated items were accepted with an abundance of appreciation.
Ohio Elks Vocational Scholarship Applications Now Available!
THE TRADES NEED YOU!
The Ohio Elks Association awards six (6) $1,000 scholarships (one per Ohio Elks district) for advanced training at a Tech Center, Specialty School, Training Center, or other Vocational Approved Center per year. The awards are for 2-year or less degree or certification for employment. All students must have a certification of completed GED or diploma from STEM or high school in the calendar year of submission to the Ohio Elks Association.
East Liverpool Elks #258 Helping Hurricane Survivors
Exalted Ruler Anthony Zirillo, Calcutta VFD Capt. Scott Smith and Leading Knight/Children’s Christmas Committee chairman Jim Culp
East Liverpool Elks Elks Lodge #258, along with our Christmas Committee made a $2,000 donation to the Calcutta VFD to assist with hurricane disaster aid in North Carolina.
Van Wert Elks #1197 Brings Fire Safety To Local Students
From left: Van Wert Fire Chief Jon Jones and Elks Lodge Secretary Michael C. Stanley.
Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $150 to the Van Wert City Fire Department. The monies are to be used for the sponsorship of the Firepup Safety Program, which is presented to all the elementary school children in the city of Van Wert and all of the county schools.
The program, which is presented each October in conjunction with “Fire Prevention Week”, teaches school children the importance of fire safety. Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to help sponsor this important program and has been a sponsor each year since the program was started in Van Wert County.
Conneaut Elk #256 Holds Successful Tool Bingo Fundraiser
Conneaut Elks Lodge #256 held its first Tool Bingo to raise money for the building fund and other lodge activities. We have had Purse bingo's before which have always been a success. This year, we decided to change it up a little and have a tool bingo. Each person who purchased a ticket received a packet of Bingo cards. Each packet had 10 cards. Each card was a different color. There were 10 tool prizes. One for each game. We had plenty of food and a lot of fun. It was a huge success, rasing about $3,700 and we are already planning on next years' event.
Napoleon Elks #929 Helping Community Battle Hunger
From left: Denise Etzler, Director Kelly Burkhardt, and Napoleon Elks Exhaulted Ruler Dan Bischoff
Napoleon Elks Lodge #929 recently donated of $2,000 to the Together We Can Make A Difference Initiatives were able to stock their food pantry program with nearly $2,800 worth of food products, purchased through careful sale-watching and shopping. Together We Can Make A Difference Initiatives primarily provides Personal Care and Toiletry items, but have found since there is not a good pantry that is open every day in Henry County they supplement food items also. People can pick 10 items every 2 weeks.
This donation was made possible from an Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant.
East Liverpool Elks #258 Supports Local Fire Departments
From left: Fire Fighter Rich Amato, ER Anthony Zirillo, First Lt. Jason Tatgenhorst, & Jason's son Jebson Tatgenhorst.
East Liverpool Elks Lodge #258’s Exalted Ruler Anthony Zirillo presented members of the West Point Volunteer Fire Department with a new Stihl chainsaw donated by the lodge.
The lodge also presented a check for $1,000 to members of the Glenmoor Volunteer Fire Department. The funds were made possible by a Community Service Grant from the Ohio Elks Association for the purchase of a new 4-gas meter for their department.
Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Elks #1923 Help Make Community Safer
Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Elks Lodge #1923 recently donated $1,000 to the Layfayette Fire Dept. They are using the proceeds for youth fire prevention awareness event they are hosting in the community.
Additionally, the lodge donated another $1,000 to the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department. CFPD is using these funds for first aid kits for the police station and trainer center that the offices can use for minor injuries and medical needs.
Both donations were made possible by Community Service Grants awarded by the Ohio Elks Association.
Napoleon Elk #929 Help Local Youth Baseball
From left: Napoleon Elks Exalted Ruler Dan Bischoff presents a check to Napoleon Parks and Recreation Director Tony Cotter.
The Napoleon Elks Lodge #929 recently donated $1,100 to the Napoleon City Parks and Recreation Department for equipment for the youth baseball and softball programs. This donation came from the Ohio Elks Community Service Grant.
Marion Elks #32 Help Make City More Attractive
From left: Marion Elks Exalted Ruler Dan Clark and (R) Marion Mayor Bill Collins.
Marion Elks Lodge #32 presented a $1,000 check to Mayor Bill Collins for the Tall Grass and Nuisance Property program. The Ohio Elks Community Service grant funds will be used to purchase new safety equipment and replace old worn equipment used to clean up properties that are overgrown, abandoned or neglected.