Elks Care, Elks Share
The Erie Elks held a Meat Raffle in the Lodge for members. The Lodge raised over $1,600 in less than 2 hours, splitting the proceeds between the Elks National Foundation and PA Elks State Major Project, Home Services. Members turned out in numbers taking chances at prime ribs, hams, pork butts, shrimp and more. This was a fun way for members to stock up for their holiday meals and gatherings!
Ugly Sweater Contest
On Friday, December 13th, the Erie Lodge 67 hosted our annual Ugly Sweater Contest to raise funds for the Elks National Foundation and PA Elks State Major project, Home Services. Members donned their best "ugly" holiday sweater for the competition. The Lodge raised close to $500 during this jovial holiday event.
Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus
The Erie Elks Lodge 67 had a special early visitor from the North Pole! On Saturday December 7th, Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by the Lodge to wish a Merry Christmas to the good boys and girls of Erie Lodge members. Over 30 enjoyed a hearty breakfast, games, crafts and gifts from our Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Elks Care, Elks Share
The Erie Lodge 67 donated $500 from funds raised from Lodge
raffles to the Tracy Elementary School, Millcreek Township School District.
With the donation, the organization purchased a storage cabinet
for their Caring Closet. The Caring Closet provides students who
need additional supplies such as clothing, shoes, and hygiene
products. The remainder of the donation will go towards the
school-wide Positive Behavior Program, CTBK (Cool To Be Kind).
ENF Freedom Grant
Erie Elks Lodge 67 utilized the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to host 57 Veterans along with 13 caregivers from the Erie VA Medical Center, the PA Soldiers and Sailors Home, as well as several local nursing homes. The Veterans enjoyed each other’s company, bingo games, and great food. Fourteen Lodge members welcomed our special guests and assisted in serving, bussing tables and simply just spending quality time with the Vets. The Lodge's Kitchen Manager prepared homemade Salisbury steak, homemade gravy with real mashed potatoes. Erie Elks Lodge's Auxiliary provided homemade pies and homemade cookies for dessert. Every Vet received a $50 Walmart card along with an Erie Elks Lodge 67 branded lanyard, and the bingo winners received an additional gift card. This event was a huge success as many of the Vets expressed their appreciation with tearful eyes.
"Operation Turkey" Press Release
Erie VA partners with local groups to donate Thanksgiving meals to Veterans
PRESS RELEASE
November 20, 2024
ERIE , PA — The Erie VA Medical Center, in collaboration with Erie Elks Lodge 67, and Erie Times Newsies, is providing 202 Thanksgiving turkey dinner boxes to Veterans throughout northwestern Pennsylvania November 21 and 23.
Staff from the Erie VA worked within their programs to identify Veterans to receive the dinner boxes with a pick-up location for those identified November 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Erie VA’s second floor pavilion.
Elks Lodge members from Titusville, Franklin, Oil City, Corry, Meadville, Kane, Warren, and Ashtabula have volunteered to deliver turkey dinner boxes to Erie VA Veterans identified in those areas.
Media interested attending can reach out to the Erie VA Public Affairs Specialist, Allyson Weislogel, at 814-969-2158.
An Elk's volunteer carries a Thanksgiving donation box. The ENF Beacon Grant helps fund the event.
Marine Corp 249th Anniversary
On Sunday, November 10th, the Erie Elks Lodge 67 celebrated the Marine Corp anniversary by holding a large holiday meat raffle. All proceeds from the meat raffle, $2,000 will be matched by the Lodge and donated to the Meals on Wheels Vets program in Erie. The $4,600 donation will remove two Vets from the waiting list and provide each of them one hot meal a day, 7 days a week for an entire year.
Lodge 67 Marines, thank you for your service and welcome home!
Pictured left to right: Esteemed Loyal Knight Greg Kindle, Member Ben Witt, Member John Weaver
Erie Otters Military Appreciation Night
Erie Elks Lodge 67 donated $500 to the Erie Otters Military appreciation night on November 9th. The donation provided 50 military personnel an evening at the Erie Otters Hockey game. Throughout the game the Lodge was recognized on the jumbo-tron. The Erie Otters are part of the Ontario Hockey League. The players are 16-20 years old, and most sign NHL contracts. The game was sold out and everyone had a great time, especially with a 4-0 shutout win by the Otters!
Drug Awareness
The Erie Elks Lodge 67 is very proud of Lt. Tom Lenox of the Erie Police Department for being selected as the 2024-2025 Pennsylvania Elks Enrique Camarena Award winner. In 2016, after a 40-year hiatus, Lt. Lenox was reinstated to the Erie Police Athletic League (P.A.L.).
Today, Lt. Lenox, along with over 100 other Police Officers across many departments and agencies, have over 1,700 local youth involved in activities, camps, sports, and mentorship programs. Lt. Lenox
has formed a lifelong bond with the kids, and has recruited 6 of his wrestlers from his State Championship teams to join the Erie Police Department.
Elks Care Elks Share
Erie Lodge #67 PER Scholarships were awarded to two family members of Lodge 67 this year. The applications included scholastic achievements and leadership accomplishments along with a short essay researching and advocating for a local nonprofit organization. Each student received a $1,000.00 scholarship along with the opportunity to present a $500 donation from Lodge 67 to their charitable organization.
The Lodge membership are very proud of these two students and wish them well as they advance their education.
(Photo 1) Pictured left to right, Jim Law, PDDGER, Chris Bruschi, Father, Alyssa Bruschi, and Jennie Hagerty, Executive Director for the Mercy Center for Women.
(Photo 2) Pictured left to right, Jim Law PDDGER, Kelly Hart and Sarah Trojak, Foundation Administrator
Alyssa Bruschi, daughter of members Chris and Michelle Bruschi. Alyssa's essay featured The Mercy Center for Women, an Erie based nonprofit that provides transitional housing and support services to homeless women with or without children. Alyssa will be attending the University of Pittsburgh's nursing program in the fall.
Good luck to Alyssa!!!
Kelly Hart, daughter of members Brian Hart and Andrea Hart. Kelly's essay advocated for the Iroquois School District Foundation, an Erie based nonprofit that enhances the educational opportunities for all District students K-12 by developing imaginative and creative partnerships with the educators. Kelly was the Valedictorian at Iroquois and will be attending The Pennsylvania State University, University Park for nursing in the fall.
Good luck to Kelly!!!
Elks Lodge 67 Vets
On July 24th the Erie Lodge 67 Vets Committee hosted 65 Vets from the Erie VA Medical Center, PA Soldiers and Sailors Home and numerous long term care facilities to an afternoon of AA Baseball in Erie, PA.
The first place Seawolves responded by winning the game. Fun was had by all, several guests of the Lodge commented it has been a long time since they attended a baseball game!
The Erie Seawolves, AA affiliate of the MLB Detroit Tigers, invited a 98 year old WWII Vet from the Soldiers and Sailors Home to throw out the ceremonial first pitch! A total of 65 Vets and caregivers were treated by Lodge 67 to the game, food, soft drinks and Seawolves branded gear!
Elks Care Elks Share
Summertime activities officially kicked off Sunday June 9th at Erie Lodge 67 as the Lodge launched their Sunday Backyard BBQ's. Volunteers cooked burgers, hot dogs and prepared chicken in smokers while members brought their favorite dishes to share. The Lodge held a "meat" raffle while members ate and socialized.
The food and raffle proceeds totaled $1,100 and will go towards our PA State major project, PA Home Nursing Services program. Close to 80 members in all turned out for an afternoon of fun, great food and comradery .
Memorial Day
Erie Lodge 67 placed flags at two local Erie cemeteries on Friday, May 18 and Saturday 19th, in preparation of Memorial Day weekend. Over 40 Lodge members volunteered and placed 1,200 flags on the graves of veterans. Lodge 67 partnered with the Erie Marine Corp League with this patriotic event. Several newer members participated and all members were filled with a sense of honor and pride.
Veterans Services
Erie Lodge 67 utilized the ENF CIP Spotlight Grant, $2,000 as a donation to the Erie Meals on Wheels Vets Program. The Lodge also matched this donation with an additional $2,000 to the same program. The $2,000 donation to the Meals on Wheels Vets program will provide a homebound Vet one hot meal a day, 7 days a week for a year. These two donations will remove two Vets from the waiting list!
pictured left to right: Jennifer Hoffman, Executive Director Erie Meals on Wheels, Becky Feronti, Lodge 67 Exalted Ruler, Fran Milkowski, Erie Lodge PER, Trustee, Jim Law PDDGER, Trustee.
Erie Lodge 67 Donation Meals on Wheels
Erie Lodge 67 conducted a number of fundraising events along with generous donations from Lodge 67 members, and raised $6,500 for the Erie Meals on Wheels Vets program. This program provides 1 hot meal a day 7 days a week for 365 days to elderly shut in Veterans. This donation will remove almost 4 veterans off the waiting list.
Pictured left to right, Jim Law, PDDGER, Jennifer Hoffman, Executive Director Erie Meals on Wheels, Becky Feronti, Esteemed Leading Knight, Fran Milkowski, PER, ER
Hoop Shoot State Champion
The PA State Elks Association, State Hoop Shoot took place today in Bellefonte, PA on Saturday March 2nd. Maria Koval, representing Erie Lodge 67, finished first place and is the State Champion in the girls 11-12 age bracket. Maria will move on to the regional shoot in a couple of weeks in Wilkes Barre. Good Luck Maria!!!! Erie Lodge 67 is very proud of you!
Hoop Shoot 2024
Erie Lodge 67 held our ENF Hoop Shoot on Saturday, January 27th. This year the Lodge used many resources for marketing and distribution of flyers which aided in the great turnout for both youth and volunteers. The Lodge had a total of 36 youth registries across all age brackets for both girls and boys. The Lodge turned out in force with over 20 volunteers along with 8 high school girls from Cathedral Prep athletics. Erie Lodge is proud of all the youth that competed and look forward to the 6 that are advancing to the NW PA District Shoot.