Coshocton #376 receive award from Coshocton County Board of DD
On Wednesday June 17, 2026, the Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities held an awards luncheon and presented the Coshocton Elks Lodge #376 with an award. It was a Senatorial Citation presented by Ohio Senator Andrew O Brenner recognizing the Coshocton Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #376 for its fundraising efforts and support of the Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities, The Coshocton Elks Lodge #376 has long been an avid supporter through its generous donations and member support. A Coshocton Lodge #376 member also volunteers her time to coach the Hopewell Indians basketball team. This past season, they garnered a winning season, and ultimately were able to finish in fourth place in the State Tournament. Javanna Ramsey, a Coshocton Lodge #376 member is a volunteer coach for the team, and enjoys the experience of coaching and becoming friends with the members of the team. Javanna also was the driving force behind the idea to create a Special Olympics fundraiser night at the lodge which has been held the past two years and has raised a total of $4100. Javanna is a coach for their Special Olympics team each year also!
Coshocton Elks Lodge has also been able to send the winning team to a Cleveland Charge basketball game where the team members got to experience warm ups down on the floor pregame, and courtside seating. Also, the Elks were able to provide uniforms for the team this past season, which helped the players feel like a real team!
The Coshocton Elks provided the funding through their 501c3 committee. The 501c3 group board is Jim Kreis, David Bush, Brian Crilow and Mike Wilson.
East Liverpool #258 Supports Police and Fire Dispatch with 911 Education Materials
Exalted Ruler Anthony “Zig” Zirillo, Dispatcher Rylan Childs
East Liverpool Elks Lodge 258 proudly donated funds to the East Liverpool Police and Fire Dispatch Center to help purchase 911 educational materials and workbooks for distribution to local students. Exalted Ruler Anthony “Zig” Zirillo is pictured presenting a donation check to Dispatcher Rylan Childs in support of this important community safety initiative.
Berea #1815 Fight Speeding in Community with Safety Turtles
Berea Elks Lodge #1815 recently donated twenty (20) high visibility “safety turtles” to the City of Berea to help with issues of speeding cars in the North End District. The donation was made by funds from the general lodge membership. This is expected to be a first phase approach to curbing speeding in the residential neighborhoods of the city.
State Officers Visit the North East District and the Small But Mighty Berea #1815
The State Officers and wives visited the NE District this weekend which was hosted by “Small but Mighty” Berea #1815 , which was also the home lodge of NFL Hall of Famer Lou “The Toe” Groza. A fantastic weekend was had by all with the District Golf Outing as well as a visit by others to a “Game Show” event that was Great fun!
Sunday the lodge did a combined Flag Day service and State President Pat installed their officers! Berea Elks and ER Hans Larsen created a special weekend for sure! See you down the road soon!
Ashland Elks#1360 Presents CP Grant
ER Gayle Lantz, Erin Kaufman, Christine Tevvan, Cp Chair and Trustee Michele LaRue
On May 19th, 2026 The Ashland Lodge #1360 presented a check for $6500 from the Ohio Elks Association CP Grant to the Ashland Special Needs Ministry. This wonderful ministry provides help to families struggling in not only Ashland, but also to surrounding counties. Our lodge will also be hosting a CP petting zoo on June 20th with food, fun and crazy animals in our parking lot. Money raised will benefit the ministry as well.
Ohio River Valley #231 Gives Sweets to Our Sweet Veterans
Ohio River Valley #231 distributed patriotic cupcakes and cards to veterans in 10 area nursing homes for Flag Day. Joe, Vietnam veteran, Joey, Activities Director at Rolling Hills Nursing Home, and Rose Durant, PER, Ohio River Valley Elks #231.
Hamilton Elks #93 Uses Freedom Grant to Renovate Fisher House
The Fisher House provides places to stay for families of service members in the Dayton VA Hospital. the project focused on several key improvements: recruiting skilled members to build a sturdy rock wall, power washing the patio, planting vegetables in the garden beds, and removing the honeysuckle bush behind the Fisher House. In addition, grant funds will be used to buy needed supplies, including nonperishable items, so veterans and their families have access to essentials during their stay when needed.
Newark Elks Lodge #391, CP Grant Helping Heart of a Warrior
James Hartley, HOAWF Founder; Helen Hall, Loyal Knight/Outgoing CP Chair; Becky Underhill, Leading Knight; “Liza”; Richard Emerson, Lecturing Knight/Incoming CP Chair; Chris Schumaker, ER; and Beth Winegar, HOAWF Community Outreach Coordinator.
On May 6, 2026, Newark Elks Lodge #391, in conjunction with the Ohio Elks Association/Cerebral Palsy Trust, presented a check for $5,000 to the Heart of a Warrior Farm for a new adult changing table. The funding will be used to provide a means for guests, both adult and child, to use the facilities with dignity while they attend lessons and equine therapy sessions. Currently, it takes numerous people to assist the guest, limiting the privacy in the changing room. With the announcement of the new facility’s enhancement, Heart of a Warrior Farm will be able to serve an increased disabled population, as well as first responders and veterans, with fewer physical and adaptive restrictions during the sessions.
Norwalk #730 Retires Flags During Elks National Youth Week
Norwalk Lodge No. 730 partnered with Boy Scouts Troop #208 to perform the ritual ceremony of retiring unserviceable Flags during Elks National Youth Week in early May. This ceremony was held around the backyard fire ring on Norwalk’s lodge property. Many service-worn flags were collected and disposed of properly. Boy Scout volunteers and troop leaders enjoyed a hot dog cookout with Elks Officers after the ceremony.
In group photo (L2R): Front: Boy Scouts Troop #208. Back: Youth Activities Chair Becky Parcher, Chaplain Bill Knadler, PER John Moslener, ER Matt Lydy, BOD Chair Ralph Roesch, Secretary Laura Wheeler
East Liverpool #258 Host Fish & Fun Day
97 Children at Fish & Fun Day 2026
The East Liverpool Elks 258 proudly hosted our annual Fish & Fun Day for area youth at the Elks Lake/Farm on May 17th. Guests enjoyed a picnic-style lunch featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, side dishes, and desserts. Approximately 185 people attended the event, including 97 children. Each child received a fishing rod, tackle, and a commemorative T-shirt.
Conneaut #256 Awards 4 Ed Kalmers Memorial Scholarships
left to right Rich Slocum - Trustee Kylee Sherman Raymie Fill Scott Slocum - Exalted Ruler
Hamilton Spero Cayson Hayes
)n 5/20/26 the Conneaut Ohio Elks Lodge #256 held a scholarship presentation for 4 area high school students.
Each scholarship was for $1,000 towards their future schooling.
The 4 winners of the Ed Kalmers Memorial Scholarship are:
Kylee Sherman -$1,000
Raymie Fill - $1,000
Hamilton Spero - $1,000
Cayson Hayes - $1,000
Van Wert #1197 Hit a Home Run with Baseball Donation
Pictured left to right are Val Mullins, Lodge Youth Activities Chair and Ben Price, Van Wert Youth Baseball President.
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently donated $500.00 to the Van Wert Youth Baseball Association for the 2026 season. The monies will be used to sponsor a team.
With the financial help from the sponsors, youth ages 8 to 12 are able to travel and play teams within a tri-county area. On an average they have 6 teams and over 80 kids who are able to participate in the program.
The Elks are known for their support of youth activities not only within Van Wert County but across the nation as well.
Wooster #1346 Donated $10,000 to Adaptive Sports Ohio
Wooster Elks Lodge No. 1346 was proud to donate $10,000 to Adaptive Sports Ohio to help grow adaptive sports opportunities in Wooster, Ohio.
This support helps make sports more accessible for athletes of all abilities—through equipment, programs, and opportunities to get active, compete, and build community.
Learn more about Adaptive Sports Ohio (and how to get involved): Adaptive Sports Ohio https://adaptivesportsohio.org
Elks Supports Beautification of Gallipolis
Gallipolis Elks 107 donated $1000 from the 2026 Beacon Grant to Gallipolis in Bloom, GIB, to support the beautification of the city of Gallipolis with flowers and plants for the summer and fall.
The money was used to purchase plants, flowers and flower containers to be placed throughout the community and the downtown area. The Elks Lodge additionally donated $8500 from the Charitable Bingo proceeds to help purchase a replacement truck to be used for watering the flowers during the season. Pictured from left to right is Kim Canaday, Elks associate, Diana Parks, GIB Treasurer, Exalted Ruler Beth Stewart, Karen Smith, president of Gallipolis In Bloom, and PER Billy McCulty in the back. The picture is taken at the banner presented to Gallipolis Elks for their continued support to the community of Gallipolis.
Artists’ Open Studio receives $14,000 Grant from Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Trust Fund
Lindsey Soisson Esker, ER Matt Lydy, Ralph Roesch, Bill Knadler, Laura Wheeler, Mel Holida, PER John Moslener, and local artists
Members of Norwalk Elks Lodge No. 730 recently presented a $14,000 grant check to Artists’ Open Studio (AOS). The money, which was procured from the Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Trust Fund, will be used to support technology and accessibility upgrades that will expand creative access for artists with disabilities. AOS plans to install automatic doors for studio and gallery entrances to improve accessibility for individuals who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility supports. These improvements will help AOS reduce physical barriers and increase independence for artists and visiting guests. AOS is a non-profit organization providing local adult artists with disabilities a space to express themselves through art, specifically in painting and hand-built ceramics. Its facility at 32 E. Main Street in Norwalk serves as a gallery, retail space and working art studio.
State President and Officer Get Down and Derby at First Visitation to Newcomerstown #1555
The State Officers made their first visit of the year as they traveled to Newcomerstown #1555 and visited the SE District. An amazing weekend with great food, fun adventures, and Elkdom !
The travelers wore their hats for the lodges Kentucky Derby Party along with visits to Cy Young’s resting place and visited the hometown of Legendary OSU coach Woody Hayes.
State President Pat installed the District Officers and enjoyed a great meeting! Bringing “Balance” to the Ohio Elks!
Ohio Elks Associates Installs Pat McCaffery as President
The 2026-27 State Officers
During the April Convention, the Ohio Elks Association installed it’s new slate of officers for the 2026-27 lodge year.
Read President McCaffrey’s message here
Van Wert #1197 Announces Student of the Year
Pictured left to right are Linda Stanley, Student of the Month Chair, Logan Winke and
John Ream Exalted Ruler
Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has selected Logan
A. Winke, senior at Vantage Career Center as the recipient of the Student of the Year for
Van Wert Lodge.
Logan was selected as the Student of the Month for October. He will graduate this
spring from Paulding High School.
Students are nominated by their high schools to receive the Student of the Month award.
Each Student of the Month receives a monetary donation along with a certificate from the
Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 with the possibility of being selected as the Student of the
Year. Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements – Volunteerism,
Character, Leadership, Service, Citizenship and Scholastic.
All of the Student of the Month winners are then judged for their performance and
achievements for selection as the Student of the Year. Amanda received a monetary
donation as well as a certificate. She will now be competing for District Student of the
Year against students from 12 other lodges within the district.
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.
A New Addition to Springfield Elks #51 Lodge
Marie McConnaughey, a talented local artist and proud member of Elks Lodge #51, generously created and donated one of her signature metal sculptures to our Lodge. Crafted from a unique collection of tools and metal pieces, this one-of-a-kind Elk now stands proudly by Hole 1 on our golf course in Springfield. It has quickly become a favorite spot, with members and guests alike stopping to snap a photo beside this remarkable masterpiece.