Kent Elks Lodge #1377 Helps Local Domestic Violence Shelter & Resource Center

Kent Elks Lodge #1377 delivered a monetary donation to Safer Futures to help update some building painting and repairs. This grant was available to Kent Elks through the Elks National Foundation Community Investment Grants program.

Safer Futures is a domestic violence shelter and resource center in Portage County.  It is the only one of its kind in the county.

Pictured from left: Lisa Wadlow, PER; Sharon Batsch, Trustee; Rick Hanna, Exalted Ruler; Vanessa Jackson, Program Director of Safer Futures; Rich Aber, PER; Matt Wages, Officer.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Awards $8,000 in Scholarship to Local High School Seniors

Athens Elks Lodge #973 hosted their annual College Scholarship Awards ceremony honoring eight local high school seniors each with $1,000 scholarships to help further extend their education.

Pictured, from left: Tom Donley, Dlaynne McGuire, Hannah Murphy, Ethan Gates, Addison Bowers, Randall Hixon, Montan Moody and Rich Russell.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Announce $1,000 Ohio Elks Scholarship

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have announced the
awarding of a $1,000 Education Fund Grant by the Ohio Elks Association to Gabe Sinn.

The Education Fund Grants, which are awarded by the Ohio Elks Association, are made
possible by monies provided by the Elks National Foundation. Mr. Sinn graduated this
spring from Wayne Trace High School. He will be attending Northwest State
Community College majoring in Maintenance Technology.

During high school Gabe played Basketball, football and was a member of the FFA.
He is a member of the Farm Bureau and attends the Apostolic Christian Church and is
involved in their youth group.

Gabe is the son of Todd and Janet Sinn.

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 Mr. Sinn during the competition.

Marion Elks Lodge #32 Help Make Local Pool Better For All.

Marion Elks Lodge #32 presented a check for $2,250 to Scott Schertzer, Mayor, City of Marion, for use by the Marion City Lincoln Park Aquatic Center.  These funds were made possible by a $1,500  Elks National Foundation Anniversary Grant;  and a $750 Ohio Elks Association State Community Grant.  The monies will be used to purchase pool furniture and swimming equipment.

Pictured, from left: Willie Troutman, #32 spouse; Scott Schertzer - Mayor, City of Marion; David Feliciano, Trustee #32; Rex Coldwell, Secretary #32, DDGER NCD; Mike Cheney,Director, Marion City Lincoln Park Aquatic Center; Liz Feliciano, Treasurer #32.

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Raises Drug Awareness to Local Students

Drug Awareness Bags for Rally in the Alley

The Newark Elks Lodge #391 put together 200 “Just Say No” bags containing Elks drug awareness pamphlets and “Just Say No” wristbands for the at-risk Newark Middle and High School students. The bags will be given out at the Newark City Schools Rally in the Alley later in July.

Pictured left to right: Steve Deedrick, Loyal Knight; member Kathy Wise; John Ridenbaugh, ER; member Jane McDonald; Trustee Dave Underhill, PER and member Becky Underhill. Also helping but not pictured is Valerie Deedrick, Esquire.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Announces $1,000 Scholarship From the Ohio Elks

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have announced the
awarding of a $1,000 Educational Fund Grant by the Ohio Elks Association to Hailey
Dempsey.

The Educational Fund Grants, which are awarded by the Ohio Elks
Association, are made possible by monies provided by the Elks National Foundation.
Hailey graduated in 2018 from Wayne Trace High School. She will be attending
Rhoades State College this fall majoring in Nursing.

During high school Hailey played softball, golf and was a member of the school choir.
She was also a member of the Health Occupation Students of America
She is a State Tested Nurse’s Aide at Vancrest, Payne and a volunteer at the Paulding and
Van Wert Humane Society. Hailey is a certified life guard at the Paulding Water Park
and a crew member of Van Wert McDonalds. She is a member of the St. Mary of the
Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.

Hailey is the daughter of Dave and Kim Butler.

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 Ms. Dempsey during the competition.

Hillsboro Elks Lodge #361..."More Than A Golf Course"

Hillsboro Elks Lodge #361 was recently featured by the Hillsboro Times-Gazette, highlighting some recent changes and upgrades made to the lodge.  It's a worthy read and a positive story about the resurgence of Elkdom in the local community

The full article can be found here:  https://www.timesgazette.com/news/29226/hillsboro-elks-lodge-more-than-a-golf-course

Upper Sandusky Elks #83 Backpack & Food Drive a Huge Success!

Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83 distributed their annual Backpack Program/Food Drive for the food pantries of Wyandot County. Partnering with local businesses Kimmel Corporation and A & A Grocery they were able to donate over $2,500 in food supplies as well as 100 backpacks! This supports food pantries in Sycamore, Carey, and Upper Sandusky during the difficult summer time when most food pantries see a decline in donations.

Pictured left to right: Jeff Amos (A&A Grocery), Mark Kimmel (Kimmel Corporation), Elks Officer Tammy Groves, and Elks Officer Dan Smith.

Salem Elks Lodge #305 Helps Make Perry Township Safer

The Salem Elks Lodge #305 obtained a $750 Community Service Grant from the Ohio Elks Association upon receiving a request from the Perry Township Vol. F.D. for assistance in purchasing the quick attach monitor. This allows the hose to be hands free, while supplying a steady flow of water to a hot spot or protecting an adjacent structure during a fire. The pressure of the hose pushes the tripod structure into the ground, keeping it stationary.According to the Chief, this frees up 3 - 4 firefighters for other duties.

Pictured presenting the check is Wayne Gorby, Exalted Ruler to Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department's Chief Bruce Whitaker; Kim Chapman,  CSG Chairman; Asst. Chief Brandon Smith who's holding the Quick Attach Monitor and Fireman Brandon Planisky.

Troy Elks Lodge #833 Helps Project Lifesaver in Miami County

The Troy Elks have once again secured and awarded a $750.00 Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant to the Miami County Sheriff's Office to continue funding Project Lifesaver. The Elks have awarded this grant to the Sheriff's Office for the past several years which helps ensure we can offer this service to clients at no charge.

Project Lifesaver places personalized radio transmitters on an individual which can assist caregivers and local emergency agencies in locating them were they to wander away from their residence.

Members of the Project Lifesaver team are specially trained, not only in the use of the electronic tracking equipment, but especially in the methods used to communicate with a person who has Alzheimer's or another related disorder.

Locating the individual is only part of the mission. The person who is located will most likely be disoriented, anxious, and un-trusting. The Project Lifesaver team knows how to approach the person, gain their trust, and put them at ease for the trip home. Statistics reveal that 59% of people with Alzheimer's disease wander and become lost while 72 % of them are repeat wanderers and 46% of them may die if not found within 24 hours.

The Troy Elks have also donated cinch bags, frisbees, coloring books, and safety literature to name a few items for the annual Sheriff's Youth camp. We cannot thank the officers and members of the Troy Elks enough for their generosity and partnership with us in promoting public safety in Miami County!

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Hosts Flag Day Ceremony

What a great event and a nice turnout we had for our annual Flag Day Ceremony and Ritual. We had 51 participants all working together to honor the flags of our country and to bring their history to our 50 plus guests.

The Land of Legend Chorus sang patriotic songs as PER Joe Lebold told the history of the flags and the boy scouts posted the colors. Doug Stout, from the Licking County Library, told us of the price that Licking County paid for our freedom and we acknowledged our veterans and active duty servicemen and women.

Also helping were Newark Mayor and member Jeff Hall, Boy Scout Troop 2, member Becky Underhill and of course the lodge officers.

Pictured are the Flag Carriers: A veteran (member Tim Caldwell), active duty service men and woman, a fireman, a boy scout, a Licking County Sheriff Deputy (member Justin Woodyard) and a city policeman.

Jackson Elks Lodge #466 Honors Veterans, Deliver Ohio Elks Grants

Exalted Ruler Rod Bachtel served as master of ceremonies for the Elks Flag day ceremony conducted on June 14th at the Carl Dobbins Fidelity Hall behind the Jackson, Ohio 466 Lodge.

After the ceremony, the lodge honored 8 of our heroes from World War II with a recognition presentation by Elk Member and Command Master Chief Paul Haller of the US Navy Reserve.

Chief Haller presented each veteran with a Personal WW II Plaque with their name, rank and service dates, a WWII Veterans hat and Lapel Pin to thank them for their service. Receiving the honors were as follows:

Charles A. Kirkendall, US Army 1944-1945 Corporal, (Judge) Roy J Gilliland, US Navy 1944-1965 Lieutenant Commander, Rollie V. Fetherolf, US Army 1944-1946 Private First Class, Clarence Bowman, US Army 1943-1945 Corporal, Gilbert Wayne Rice, US Army 1942-1945 Corporal, Lemual Frank Ferguson, US Navy and US Airforce 1942-1967 Master Sergeant
Absent and unable to attend but recognized for their service were Edwin F. Simpson, US Navy 1942-1946 PO3 and James Wilson, US Marine 1943-1963 GySgt.

The evening service concluded with the presentation of a check in the amount of $8024.00 to president Nick Elliot and representative Rachel Newsome of the Jackson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and a check in the amount of $3734.00 to Jerri Trainer president of the Vinton County Board of D.D from the Ohio Elks Association State C.P. Fund Committee.

Sandwiches and refreshments were served to all present after the ceremony.  We as a Nation, thank these veterans for their valued service.

Athens Elks Lodge #973 Hosts Community Family Fun Day

The Athens Elks Lodge #973 held a "Community Family Fun Day" event today at the City of Athens swimming pool, made possible by a grant through the Elks National Foundation.

We had over 900 children and adults who attended! We had free swimming, food, and drinks for everyone. We even picked up some potential Elks members because of the success of the event!

Pictured (back row L-R) are Dave Williams -District Activities Chairman,  Rich Russell -Exalted Ruler #973, Tim Lairson-ENF Chairman

Van Wert Elks #1197 Help Local Fire Department

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, recently donated
$750.00 to the Middle Point Fire Department. The monies were used by the
department to purchase a TFT New Force Low Profile Ball Intake Valve.

Pictured, left to right with the new piece of equipment is: Fire Captain Nate Wiechart,
Fire Chief Craig King and Lodge Community Service Grant Chairman Michael C.
Stanley.

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, through the Community Service Grants, Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 has distributed
over $33,393.76 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 as
they provide fire protection to the residents of Middle Point and surrounding area.
 

Ohio Elks Association Tour the Tall Ships with Veterans

On Friday, July 13th Ohio Elks Association treated Veterans from Ohio Veterans Home - Sandusky to a day out touring the Tall Ships docked in downtown Sandusky, OH as part of their 200 year birthday celebration.

The sun shone and the cool breeze guiding us through the tour.  A delicious lunch was enjoyed at a nearby restaurant.

It was a perfect day for our heroes.

Pictured are our Veterans and four pirates from one of the tall ships

Upper Sandusky Elks #83 Improves Local Playground

The Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83 recently donated $1,500 to help with the cost of purchasing and installing the new handicap accessible playground equipment that was installed at the South School Playground.

Pictured from left to right are Exalted Ruler Stefeni Wessler, Playground fundraising chairperson Julie Lemire, and Lecturing Knight Dan Wessler.

Kenton Elks Lodge #157 Competes at Grand Lodge

The Kenton Elks Lodge #157 Ritualistic Team competed at the 150th Grand Lodge Convention in San Antonio Texas as Ohio's representing team and they performed incredibly well.  The team scored 96.95, finishing 3rd in the East, just one position away from making the finals.

All Elks in Ohio should be proud of the team's performance!  Let's all congratulate their hard work and efforts!

Pictured above (back row, from left):  Dave Beazley (coach), Ignatius Todd Daquino (leading), Nate Davis (chaplain), Dustin McCullough (loyal), Nevin Taylor (President), Derek Kaufman (lecturing), and John Hines (candidate).  Front row, from left:  Gina Hoelscher (inner guard), Elisa Umbaugh (ER), Michael Sturgeon (esquire), Sue Fox Buroker (coach), and D. Jack Buroker (coach). 

Van Wert Elks #1197 Helps Local 4-H

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently made a donation to the Van Wert County 4-H Council in the amount of $1,500.00.

The monies were distributed as fifteen $100.00 camper scholarships to assist fifteen local 4-H
members to be able to attend the annual 4-H Camp at Camp Palmer, July 5-9.

The funds were made available from an Anniversary Grant the lodge received from the Elks
National Foundation. These grants were made available to all Elks Lodges this year since the
Order of Elks is celebrating its 150 th Anniversary. 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 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.

Van Wert Lodge is proud to be able to assist these young people so they could attend camp this year.

Pictured are some of the local 4-H Camp Counselors with Linda Stanley, Anniversary Grant
Chair.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Helps Local YWCA Summer Food Program

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently donated
$500.00 to the YWCA of Van Wert County. The monies are earmarked towards the
YWCA Summer Food Program. This is the 23 nd year the YWCA has run this important
program. The monies are from a Gratitude Grant the lodge received from the Elks
National Foundation for achieving the required goal of donations at $4.70 per member.

The program includes breakfast and lunch as well as recreational and educational
activities. While during the school year, free and reduced-price breakfast and lunches
through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs provide nutritional
food for area children, the Summer Food Program aims to fill in the gap between the end
of classes and the beginning of the next school year. During the eight weeks of the
program last year the YWCA served over 20,000 meals to 340 children of Van Wert
County. This year the YWCA expects to see 400 participants and serve more than
21,000 meals.

In previous years, the program has been free for all participants. Due to the increasing
operating costs expected, the YWCA is asking for a nominal donation for the recreational
portion per family. Since some families can not afford to make this donation, the monies
donated by Van Wert Lodge will help to feed these children.
Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the YWCA with this important
summer program.

Pictured left to right are Jenna Weigle, Summer Food Program and Mike Stanley, Van Wert Lodge's Elks National Foundation Chairman along with some of the campers.

Ohio Elks Association Publish Reunion Event Schedule

The Ohio Elks Association is proud to present the event schedule for the 89th Fall Reunion.  It is now available for download on the new OEA website, or can be found by clicking on the link below.