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Virginia Elks Association
VEA President Lynn Rutherford-Snow Requests the honor of your presence At The Presidents Reception Saturday, October 25, 2025 6:00 PM ~ 6:45 PM Cape Lookout / Cape Fear Sheraton Oceanfront Virginia Beach, Virginia Each Registered Elk / Guest will receive two tickets for the Bar. Any additional drinks will be CASH Bar. R.S.V.P. by October 15, 2025 Email: [email protected] During the Ladies Breakfast, the ladies will be assembling "Handbags of Hope". This wonderful project was created by my Presidential Aide Gigi Jones several years ago. Thousands of these handbags have been distributed to ladies who have suffered mental as well as physical abuse, shelters, and hurricane survivors to name a few. Please review the list and bring some items along with a handbag or two. We will have some extra supplies to help fill these beautiful "Handbags of Hope".
Since we are in the hurricane season, these "Handbags of Hope" will go to an area if they suffer damages. If no damages, they will be delivered to a local "Shelter for Abuse" in the Virginia Beach area. Thank you so very much for participating in this very worthwhile project! Let us "Show Our Love For Elkdom" AND "Be The Difference". We ARE the B.P.O.E. ......... Best People On Earth! Fraternally, Lynn Rutherford-Snow, PDDGER VEA President 2025 - 2026 "Show Your Love For Elkdom"
Winchester, Va. Elks 867 Americanism Winners
Winchester presented awards and checks to two of our 3 Americanism winner. Pictured are Joshua Thomas 2nd place winner in State with Plaque and $100.00 and Jordyn Jackson 3rd place winner received $75.00. Submitted By: Jim Venable  July is a time to celebrate our nation and its diverse history. And what better time for our Lodge to honor and provide continued support for our military and veterans with our frozen food deliveries to the USOs at Reagan National Airport and Joint Base Myer/Henderson Hall (Ft Myer); and also with our Welcome Kit for newly-housed homeless veterans.
Our Lodge volunteers made 2 frozen food deliveries this month to the Reagan and Ft Myer USOs - one on July 8 and the other on July 28. This frozen food will provide a hearty sandwich/meal for the weary military/veteran travelers at the airport USO and also provide respite for the Honor Guard members at the Ft Myer USO, between the multiple funerals they perform at Arlington National Cemetery. Each delivery will serve about 190 for each facility. Additionally, our Lodge volunteers delivered a Welcome Home Kit to a previously homeless veteran, who was moving into her new apartment. The Welcome Kit provides the necessities a home requires, such as bedding, sheets, towels, kitchenware, pots & pans, toilet paper, etc. This program is a partnership between the Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Elks. The VA funds the homeless veteran housing and the local Elks Lodge provides the furnishings, which is majorly funded through Grand Lodge Grants or other Grand Lodge funding.  Staunton Lodge, for the 11th Year, Uses the Beacon and Spotlight Grants to Provide Coats and Essential Clothes to Local Children in Need Staunton Elks Lodge #351 has completed its 11th year providing coats, pajamas, and an outfit to 109 children at Staunton City Schools Dixon Learning Center. The Lodge was able to do this through Beacon and Spotlight Grants totaling $6000. The total amount spent on the project was $6318.25 with Staunton Lodge providing $318.25 to complete the purchase. Twenty Lodge members, devoting 320 hours, participated in the purchase and delivery of the clothing just in time for the weather to make a change!  Winchester, Va. Elks 867 Helping People The Winchester Elks 867 did a diaper and coat drive in the lodge social quarters for the month of November and today board members delivered over 100 coats, 25 cases of diapers and $500 worth of non perishable food items to CCAP - Executive Director Andrea Cousens accepted the items - Elks Care, Elks Share!  The Pulaski Lodge recently had a visit from area delegate, Jed Arnold. Please click on the link below to read the article and see the pictures.
 Pictured left to right: Teresa Smith, Gloria Via, and C.J. Via.
Clifton Forge Lodge 1065 Initiates three new members. They also approved five membership applications. Clifton Forge Lodge 1065 recently initiated and welcomed three new members. Five membership applications were also approved.  Clifton Forge Elks Lodge 1065 recently delivered 1100 pair of safety glasses to area schools. Safety glasses are one of two major projects for the Virginia Elks Association. Add photos and descriptions.
 In no order are Brayden Anderson, Beth Ann Bannister, Catherine Beckman, Pearce Bucher, Kathleen Chappell, Tina Clem, Christopher Fry, Cornella Hodson, Becky Kerns, Andrew Kiddey, Shannon Lockhart, Robert Loraine, Donald McCarty, Harojd Clemens, Mary Robinson, Brian Smith Jr., David Sobonya, Debra Stewart, Kerry Stewart, Randall Fishback, Michelle Umbernour, Tracy Alan Umbenour, Amy Wotring, Billy Young, Amanda Wisely, and Gaylon Teets.
Winchester Elks 867 held their 2nd monthly meeting on September 18, 2024, with general business and initiation of 26 new members. Three additional new members, Sheri Nichols, James Girondaa, and Kimberly Snider, were initiated on September 17, by ER David Gardiner. All were made wELKcomed with free drink of choice and Hot Dogs.  Pictured left to right are Committee member Cindy Wright, VFW Post 1033 member Bill Atherholt, and Exalted Ruler Chris Hutchison.
Clifton Forge Lodge 1065 recently donated to The Wall That Heals committee. The Wall is a smaller, portable version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. It is a traveling, three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC that travels the country. Along with The Wall replica, there is a mobile Education Center. The Wall will be in Covington October 3-6 at the Jackson River Sports Complex.  Pictured left to right are Exalted Ruler Alicia Pome, Adam Malik, 1st place winner 7th grade, Lucia Aldeman, 1st place winner 6th grade, and Bob Thompson, contest chairman.
The Arlington-Fairfax Lodge # 2188 presented local students with plaques and the Grand Lodge sent them $1000 checks for winning first place in the nation in the annual Americanism Essay Contest. Thousands of students from across the country participated in the annual contest themed “What the Bill of Rights means to me”. Adam Malik and Lucia Alderman, sponsored by Arlington Fairfax Elks Lodge #2188, won first place in the state of Virginia as well as first place in the entire nation in grade levels 7 and 6 respectively. The 2024-25 school year contest’s theme is: “What does Patriotism mean to me” and is open to all students grades 5- 8.  Reagan National Airport Frozen Food Delivery - PER Patti Graves; PER Rose Thiebaut, Secretary Jan Sullivan As Summer 2024 turns to Fall, Arlington-Fairfax Lodge 2188 support of the area USO facilities heats up and never falls short. Our Lodge volunteers delivered 10 boxes of hearty frozen food/sandwiches to both the USOs at Reagan National Airport and Joint Base Myer/Henderson Hall (Ft Myer) USO - filling their empty freezers. These food deliveries are made approximately every 3 weeks and are made possible by a Veterans Affairs Veterans Service (VAVS) grant from Grand Lodge and from the donations of our generous Lodge 2188 members. Then, thanks to the Elks Grand Lodge Freedom Grant, we were also able to provide a very large delivery of essential snack foods to Ft Myer - 30 boxes. The snack foods include chips, protein bars, jerky, breakfast bars, apple sauce, etc. These snacks help power the Honor Guard members through their day as they perform multiple funeral services for our departed military/veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. PER Laurie Fearis also donated a box of printer paper to help the Ft Myer USO with a muchneeded, essential office supply. Thank you to all who continue to support this amazing Lodge program. As Elks we will never stop supporting our veterans and military! Ft. Myer Frozen Food Delivery - PER Patti Graves; PER Rose Thiebaut, Secretary Jan Sullivan Snack Delivery to Ft Myer USO - PER Patti Graves; PER Rose Thiebaut
Your Virginia Elks Charitable Trust will hold a Draw Down fundraiser on Friday Night, October 25th, from 6:00 to 9:00pm in the Cape Fear Room at our State Convention in Virginia Beach.
We will sell 150 tickets at $100 each. Winners do not have to be present for the drawing. Half of the proceeds will be paid back in prizes and the other half will go to the trust fund, with the top prize being $2000. Faye Willard will be mailing tickets to the Exalter Rulers of the Lodges to sell. Please make sure each ticket has a name, contact number and Lodge number. If you have any questions or need additional tickets, please contact Faye! Thank you for Supporting Your Charitable Trust! Fraternally, Rod Jones PDDGER Chairman, Virginia Charitable Trust Fund Elroy sees Charlottesville Lodge #389 Campers Off as They Leave for Virginia Elks Youth Camp9/12/2024
 Charlottesville Elks Lodge #389 provided each of their campers who were attending the Virginia Elks Youth Camp with a goody bag.
The bag of goodies included a drug awareness wristband, coloring books with crayons, pencils, big eraser, playing cards, and Elroy personally bought juice boxes, breakfast bars and fruit gummies. As they left, Elroy and ER Alane Celli were there to see them off.  From May through August 2024, we had the opportunity to bring our Americanism Program and Elk
Lodge 389 to the forefront at the downtown Pavilion on Fridays. A table was set up where Linda Burgin gave out flag pins, and brochures about our flag and patriotism. The Lodge also had membership applications available and provided information on how Elks contribute to the needs of our community. The Lodge received an application for membership which will be proposed at our next meeting! Thank you, Elk helpers Mike Birgin and daughter Tabitha for volunteering  Group pic of Elk Volunteers including Apollo, Erin Stricklands specially trained German Shepherd. On the evening of August 06, 2024, the Virginia Beach Elks Lodge 2268 participated in the National Nite Out 2024. Members Eric and Erin Strickland graciously allowed us to use their home on a culde-sac to set up the Drug Awareness materials. Elroy was present to welcome families, first responders, and community members. Food, snacks and drink provided. We had a great turnout of approximately 125. Drug Awareness tables. Amy Simone passing out Drug Awareness information First Responders Present Member Erin Strickland and Apollo greeting First Elroy (AKA Anthony Williams PER)
interacts with kids.  Jones and Cabacoy Veterans Care Center outing to Tides Baseball Game with the Virginia Beach Elks Lodge 2268 On August 24th 7 Veterans and 2 Staff members from Jones and Cabacoy Veteran’s Care Center were escorted to a Tides Baseball game by 7 Elks. A great American Tradition enjoyed by all! This event was made possible by the ENVSC and the Virginia Beach Elks Lodge#2268. $250 dollars covered tickets and food and beverages for all. Stadium Photos Lodge member Amy Simone and Veteran Bob
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