New Philadelphia Elks Help Raise Drug Awareness in Community

On behalf of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510, Jeff Warner distributed dictionaries to over 250 New Philadelphia 3rd graders. Jeff also spoke about drug awareness and handed out "Say No To Drugs" bracelets to each of them.

Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 Hosts Anual Labor Day Parade

The Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 hosted the best Labor Day parade in the history of Ashland. Growing in their 3rd year of organizing the parade, this year's parade had 61 units including Elroy the Elk and our ER Michele Larue.

Hundreds of people braved the heat to line the streets to celebrate all the hard work done by the community and get as much candy as possible.

The event was also covered by the local newspaper: http://www.times-gazette.com/news/20180903/hundreds-watch-ashland-labor-day-parades-61-units

OEA Fall Newsletter - Available For Download

Greetings All!  The Fall 2018 OEA News is now available for download.  It can be found at the new OEA website under "State Resources - Quarterly Newsletter", or you can click the link below to download it right now.

Thank you to all who contributed articles, reports, and photos. 

If you you like to submit a story for the Winter edition, please send it to webmaster@ohioelks.com

Remember, the latest news and information will always be available at www.ohioelks.com/oea-news

New Membership Tools Available

At the 2018 Ohio Elks Fall Reunion, we had the great fortune to have Rick Gathen, Grand Lodge Membership & Marketing Manager, delivered a great presentation on strategies for attracting and retaining members.

The presentation was full of ideas and tools available to all lodges to help bring in new members, re-instate past members, and retain the current membership.  This presentation is now available on the OEA website, under "State Resources - Membership Tools".  It is available as a PowerPoint file or as a printable PDF file.  Download it today!

https://ohioelks.com/membership-tools/

This new page on the website will host future tools and information about membership, so be sure to bookmark it.

Many thanks to Rick for putting this together.

Fremont Elks Lodge #169 Present $3,500 Grant to Sandusky County Food Pantry

Fremont Elks #169 presented a check totaling $3500 to the Sandusky County Food Pantry to provide healthy, well balanced food items to families in need in Sandusky County.

 This year the lodge used their Gratitude and 150th Anniversary Grant monies which are funded by the Elks National Foundation.

Picture left to right:  Presentation of Check by Exalted Ruler Mike Mowry to Director Roy Wilhelm.  Other left to right: Jim Faist,  Nancy Francis, Mark Foos, Diann Hamons, Richard & Ann Foos, Rick Franks, Mary Beaston, Jeff & Pastor Jody Rice.

The pantry was first organized in February 1977 and in October 2017 moved to their new location on Bidwell Ave.  The Volunteer staff purchase food, picks up and sorts donated food, stocks shelves and distributes the food each week Monday through Friday 12:00PM till 2:30PM. In the past year the pantry handled 2,800 referral forms which provided 9,000 family members with 190,000 meals.

We are very grateful to the Food Pantry and Staff for all their dedicated Volunteer hours giving back to our Community.

“Elk Share Elk Care”

Lebanon Elks #422 Host Veterans Picnic

The Lebanon Elks Lodge No. 422 along with the Warren County Veterans Service Commission hosted a picnic for 150-200 veterans and their families in July.  The picnic was funded by a Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation along with Veterans Services matching the funds. 

The lodge provided the meal, musical entertainment, popcorn and cotton candy.   Veteran Services covered the venue, soft drinks and Civil War re-enactment entertainment along with an ice cream truck.

Veteran Services also brought their outreach mobile unit for individuals to obtain new identification cards, dog tags and information regarding services available to them such as assistance with travel to and from appointments, housing and clothing needs

Warren County Humane Society came with several dogs and cats ready for adoption as emotional support animals.

The event not only brought out younger families in need,  it also brought out veterans from WW II, Korean and Vietnam.  Our lodge had 42 volunteers to assist with cooking, serving, clean-up; some members provided face painting for the kids and others provided items to be given away as door prizes.

There was an overwhelming positive feedback from the veterans and their family members regarding the event, it's activities and meal provided.  Many veteran thanked the Elks for thinking of them and hosting the picnic,  asking if the picnic would be an annual event, and if so,  looking forward to next years picnic.

Newark Elks Lodge#391 Helps New Drug Awareness Club at Local High School

Newark High School started a new Drug Awareness Club this school year hoping to stop the drug addiction that is running rampant in our city.  Knowing that to stop any illicit activity, one has to start from the bottom, with the young people, and work your way up, the High School is hoping to teach the students about the different drugs and the effect on their bodies and brains.

When Lodge 391 DAP Committee heard of the new club we knew we could help!

Lodge member, Becky Underhill delivered 2 boxes of drug awareness materials, as well as Distracted Driving and Facts for Parents pamphlets to Principal Tom Bowman. Principal Bowman was delighted to not only receive the materials that will be of great use to the students, but to also know that he now has a resource to help the new club on an ongoing basis.

Of course, it goes without saying, that Lodge 391 is excited to be able to help battle the war on drugs at the local high school level, and the DAP Committee is hoping this will open the door to other opportunities to help other schools in our lodge area.

Columbus Grove City Elks #37 Torches Their Mortgage

The Columbus Grove City Elks Lodge #37 held their mortgage burning ceremony and celebration in August, hosting more than 190 people.  This is a great accomplishment for any lodge.

The lodge served pork tenderloin, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and baked beans with dessert provided by ER Randy Seymour's wife along with our 'dance group'. Following the ceremony the loge had an awesome party with The Fire Bird Band.

Congratulations to Columbus Grove City!

New Philadelphia Elks Helps Make Ice Rescues Safer For Local Fire Department

The New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510, Exalted Ruler Jeffrey Warner along with Dave Johnson, PER presented a check to the Mayor and Fire Department of New Philadelphia. The check was for an “Ice Rescue Immersion Suit”. This is an expression of our commitment to the community in which we live and work. The funds were made possible by an Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant.

It's The Little Things That Make A Difference

Ohio Elks Association State President, Nevin Taylor receives a photo plaque from the Iraq Troop who received specialty products for individual soldiers while they serve protecting freedom. 

South Central District Elks member Dave Williams' son and others from the Ohio division were overseas for one year.  President Taylor donated the photo back to Dave to be placed in his home lodge as a reminder of how little things can make a major difference as our soldiers defend freedom.

Larry Still Gets A "Kick Out Of Life"

1st Vice President Mark Ratliff of the Ohio Elks Association presents State Chairman Larry Clemens a ball signed by the State finalists and the adults who worked the Soccer Shoot finals in Coshocton, OH.

Larry has served the state as chairman since the beginning of Soccer as a State Youth Program.  Thank you Larry for all your hard work providing our kids to get a “Kick out of Life”.  If your lodge needs help setting up a shoot just go to the OEA website:  https://ohioelks.com/soccer-shoot/

Ohio Elks Deliver Donations to Veterans at Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky

At the recent Ohio Elks Fall Convention in Columbus numerous Lodges throughout the State graciously donated new underclothing, socks, toiletries etc. to our many Veterans presiding in facilities that Elk representatives are assigned to. These donations will fulfill the wish list and needs of our Veterans.

Elks Across Ohio Raised More Than $23,000 For The State Endowment!

The Ohio Elks Charity Endowment Fundraising Committee held its second fundraiser this past weekend at the fall reunion in Columbus. Once again the generosity of the Elks of OHIO was just fantastic and proved again you are truly the BPOE (best people on earth).

Together in just one evening, we raised $23,320.00 for the future of the OHIO ELKS Endowment. As a Lodge, District and State Association, we all should be very proud.

I must thank everyone that worked so hard to make this event the great success that it was, all of you on the committee know who you are (great job guys), all of you that helped sell door prizes you know who you are (we couldn’t have done it without you) thank you. And a very special thanks to all who bought tickets, came to the raffle, and gave sponsorships to the event the committee thanks you.

Congratulations go out to some of our big winners: Tony Federico, Jim Parks, Todd Hurd, Mike Manfredarici, Ron Adams, Todd Arnold, Zach Spieles, and John Schwartz.  I bet these guys will be back next year.

In closing, just a reminder, the OHIO ELKS CHARITY ENDOWMENT is the future of OHIO ELKS giving just as ENF is the National Organization of giving.

Again, we as Board and Committee welcome and thank for your support.

Lance C. Knight PSP

Ohio Charity Endowment Chairman

Marysville Elks #1130 Help Plain City K9 Training

Marysville Elks Lodge #1130 recently donated $1200 to the Plain City Police department.  The monies were used by the department to purchase a bite suit.  This suit will enable the police department staff to remain save while training their canine officer, Andor.   The money came from a grant secured from the Ohio Elks Association in the form of a Community Service Grant as well as a contribution from the Lodge’s Charitable Fund.

The purpose of the Community Service grant is to aid in “the acquisition of equipment by a municipality, police department, fire department, etc., which they would not otherwise be able to purchase, thus allowing them to do their jobs better.”

To date, through the Community Service Grants, Marysville Lodge #1130 has distributed nearly $7,000 back into Union County to assist various community agencies.

The Elks is a national fraternal order with nearly a million members and a 150-year history.  A network of more than 2,000 lodges all over the country promotes community spirit and the principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity.  The Order donates more than $80 million every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs.

Presenting the bit suit at the Plain City Council Meeting were Marysville Elks Lodge No. 1130 member Fred Kile, Plain City Police Chief Dale McKee, Plain City Officer Sgt. Tharon Prather, and Marysville Elks Lodge No. 1130 Community Service Chairman Kermit Morse, III

Shown demonstrating the bite suit is Plain City Officer Sgt. Tharon Prather

Sandusky County K-9 Unit Made Safer By The Elks!

K-9 Officers Eda & Hayes get safety upgrades thanks to Elks Lodge Donation

Thanks to the Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant and donations by members of Fremont Elks Lodge #169, K-9 Eda & K-9 Hayes are equipped with new bullet –resistant vests.

One of the many goals of the Elks organization is to reach out to our Community and their needs  We are very proud to have done this for the Sandusky County Sheriff Department providing protection for their K-9 Officers.

Pictured from left: Officer Allen Dorsey with Eda, Fremont Elks Exalted Ruler Mike Mowry & Mary Beaston, and Officer George Dorsey with Hayes

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Expands Drug Awareness

Newark Elks Lodge #391 members passed out 200 bags containing drug awareness information to the students of Newark Middle and High Schools during the annual “Rally in the Alley” event.  The Newark Elks have provided uniform polo shirts to at risk kids for the past 4 years and added the drug awareness information this year to continue the war on drugs.

Salem Elks Lodge #305 Works to Increase Drug Awareness

Salem Elks Lodge #305 made up 300 DAP bags for the Family Recovery and Family Services.

The bags were available at their tent during the Columbiana County Fair. Over 24 pieces of information was in each bag.

Pictured is Pam Gorby, Trustee; Kim Chapman,  Lecturing Knight; Wayne Gorby,  ER;  Connie Smith, Leading Knight and not pictured Carolyn Bowser, Tiler; Devon Williamson,  Secretary and Esther Goodchild, member.

Sandusky Elks #285 Helps Local Domestic Violence Shelter

Sandusky Ohio Lodge #285  donated many needed items to the local Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter.  These donations were made possible by Elks National Foundation Beacon and Anniversary Grants.

At Christmas the lodge purchased gifts, toys, clothes and food for two of the most-needy families that recently used the shelter.

Since that time, lodge members have obtained cases of copy paper, ink and toner for the shelter to print their 52-page information booklet they give to all crisis victims, social workers and support personnel.

For the victims the lodge donated 42 sets of women’s clothes, 12 twin bed sheet sets, 16 towel sets, a large amount of household supplies, 18 pairs of children’s tennis shoes for gym class, and many required school supplies for grades K thru 6.

Pictured, from left: Safe Harbor director Linda Mitchell, Beth Wimmer, Hannah
LeBran and Hazel Foley with a very small portion of the latest items donated to
the shelter.

Ohio Elks Major Projects Endowment Fundraiser Flyer Now Available

The Ohio Elks Major Projects Endowment Fund is holding a large fundraiser at the Fall Reunion in Columbus.  The fundraiser features 8 guns to be raffled along with great door prize raffles.  There is something for everyone.

Tickets are only $10 each and all proceeds benefit the endowment.

Download the flyer below and post in your lodge.  See you in Columbus!

Kent Elks Lodge #1377 Delivers $750 Grant to Local Parks & Rec Dept.

Kent Elks Lodge #1377 presented an Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant in the amount of $750 to the City of Kent Department of Parks & Recreation.

This grant will be used by the department to purchase a new portable sound system.

Pictured from left: Lisa Wadlow, PER & Grants coordinator; John Idone, Director, Kent Parks & Recreation;  Rick Hanna, Exalted Ruler.