Springfield Elks news

Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 didn’t let Covid-19 get the best of them.  Annually the Lodge presents all third graders at Union St. School with an Elks dictionary.  This year was no different as they presented (79) students with their Elks books outside in front of the school..  
 
      Pictured L to r; Students Whitney Johnson, Janey Whipple, Aidan Currie, Kensley McLeod, Ben Ouelette and Riley McAllister.  In back are Elks members; Victor Baskevich, Gloria Gunn, Exalted Ruler Carolee Murchie and Eugene Siliski.
News item submitted by Michael Gunn

BARRE ELKS LODGE FRATERNAL NEWS

Members of Barre Lodge presented a $300 donation to Tylor Bigras representing Tires for Troops.  This non-profit provides Vermont Veterans with new snow tires and state inspections at no charge.  Founded in 2015 by Tylor Bigras, Tires for Troops has donated over $50,000 in tires and services to Veterans.  This donation was made possible with funds from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. 
 
L to R: Maureen Lawson,  Barre Lodge PER, Patty Ristau,  Barre lodge ENF Chair, Tylor Bigras, Tires for Troops and Karen Bingham,  Barre lodge trustee. 

Barre Elks Lodge Fraternal News

Members of Barre Elk Lodge presented a total of $1650 to fifteen central Vermont Fire, Police and EMS departments.  Donations were made possible with funds from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.  During this unprecedented time, all first responders have been on the front line taking care of our community.  We recognize the hardship and the commitment each first responder has made towards this end.  In a continued effort to recognize their endeavors, checks were presented to the following departments as a token of acknowledgement and appreciation.
  • Barre City Police and Fire/EMS
  • Barre Town Police, Fire and EMS
  • East Montpelier Fire
  • Berlin Police and Fire
  • Northfield Police and Fire
  • Williamstown Fire/EMS
  • Plainfield Fire/Rescue
  • Montpelier Police and Fire/EMS 
  • Middlesex Fire 
L to R:  Patty Ristau, Barre Lodge ENF Chair, Karen Bingham, Barre Lodge Trustee, Greg Light, Plainfield Fire Chief, Johnathan Matthew, Plainfield EMT Captain.  
 
 
 
 
Attachments area
 
 
 

Bellows Falls new lodge officers for 2021-2022

Congratulations to our 2021-2022 officers:
 
Exalted Ruler – Ronda Sichling
Leading Knight – Kimberly Aumand
Loyal Knight – Jesse Smart
Lecturing Knight – Micheal Barre
Secretary – George Bennett
Treasurer – Cheryl Baraby
Chaplain – Brenda Thompson
Esquire – Mary Moore
Inner Guard – Ric Aumand Sr.
Tiler – Richard Aumand II
Trustees:
5 Yr – Jerry Baraby
4 Yr – Tracy Sichling
3 Yr – Steve Thompson
2 Yr – Dave Smith
1 Yr – Gary McCormick

Members of Barre Lodge visit The Veterans’ Place

Members of Barre Lodge visited The Veterans’ Place in Northfield, Vermont, last Saturday to deliver items for transitioning Veterans. Over $2000 worth of pots and pans, microwaves, cookie sheets, glasses, bowls, crockpots and Pyrex containers were all purchased with funds from the Elks National Foundation Beacon grant.

Pictured from L to R: VEA Veterans Chair Chip Paine, Barre Lodge Veterans Chair Renee Hotaling, Barre Lodge ENF Chair Patty Ristau, Barre Lodge Exalted Ruler Frank Hotaling, Veteran resident Bob and member Terry Paine.

News item submitted by Kristin Calcagni.

Frank Lopez Video

Watch this Brattleboro Community TV interview of Frank Lopez.  He provides an inside look into who the Elks are, their history and the Brattleboro Lodge. He also talks about the many local organizations, groups and youth they support with their time, donations and generosity of spirit.

Link to video:   

Frank Lopez video

Barre Elks Lodge Fraternal News

Exalted Ruler Frank Hotaling, his wife Renee and trustee Kristin Calcagni dropped off Christmas presents for 14 children at the Salvation Army Christmas Castle in Barre. This donation was made possible when the annual kids Christmas party was canceled due to covid. Funds raised from the “Cans for Kids” bottle drive were used. 
 
Lt. Heather West from the Salvation Army said there is a significant increase in applicants this year. Items are still needed in order for every child to receive a gift at Christmas. Christmas Castle trees with angel tags are at Walmart and local radio stations will be reading angel tags over the next few days.  Any new toy or gift donation is welcome.  Donations can be dropped off at Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel.  For more information,  context Heather at Heather.West@use.salvationarmy.org
 
Photo: L to R: Renee Hotaling,  ER Frank Hotaling,  trustee Kristin Calcagni,  Lt. Heather West Salvation Army.
 
News item subitted byKristin Calcagni

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 SUPPORTS SANTA CLAUS CLUB

Springfield Elks Lodge 1560, recently participated in their 3rd Annual Drive for the Springfield Santa Claus Club.  The Elks members donated unwrapped Christmas gifts to the Santa Claus Club.
 
 The Elks Lodge chose to participate with (30) gift requests for needy recipients, half elders, half children.  Gifts ranged from jeans, warm clothes, apparel items to books, stationary & postage stamps, video games, gift cards and favorite toys.  Total gift valued nearly $900+.
 
 The Elks Lodge would like to thank their loyal members who gave to this charitable organization and supporting their work in our local community.
 
This picture shows how we got our members involved  The Christmas tree had envelopes on it, so the members took an envelope and brought in a gift for the Santa Claus Club per what the envelope requested
 
 
Springfield Elks member, Gloria Gunn on left is shown with Jeanne Patoine, Organizer and co-director of the Santa Claus Club, with the gifts the Elks members donated. 
 
News item submitted by Michael Gunn.