Fiscal year end Awards were presented to members who did outstanding work for the 4-1-13/3-31-14 fiscal year. Ronald Wright was presented with the Elk of the Year award for all the work he has done for the Lodge this last year which included the new floor that was installed at the Lodge. Anna Sanville was awarded the Officer of the Year award for all her fundraising efforts for the Lodge which included the 200 club and yard sales throughout the year. Tom Bailey was chosen a Citizen of the Year. He was instrumental in the fundraising for the renovation project for the Lodge, which included the new floor. Other awards were recruitment awards from the Grand Exalted Ruler given to a member who has brought in at least 3 new or reinstated members. A pin and a letter from the Grand Exalted Ruler were presented to them. Congratulations to all who received awards!
Left to right- Ronald Wright-Elk of The Year, Manon Perrault Past Exalted Ruler who presented the awards and Anna Sanville Officer of the Year, missing from photo Tom Bailey-Citizen of the Year
The Vermont Elks Association Scholarship Committee met at Barre Lodge #1535 on Sunday, January 19, 2014 to judge the 50 “Most Valuable Student” brochures received. I would like to thank all 8 of the Elk members that traveled to Barre during inclement weather from the various lodges to judge the scholarships and for their support of this worthwhile project.
The Vermont “Most Valuable Student” winners and their sponsoring Lodges were Kristen Switzer, Rutland Lodge, Bhumika Patel, Bennington Lodge, Brett Elliot, St. Johnsbury Lodge and Taylor Marquis, St. Albans Lodge. Their brochures have been forwarded to the Elks National Foundation Judging Committee for evaluation at the national level where they will be awarded at least $4,000.00 over four years. Vermont’s quota to the Elks National Foundation is four students, two boys and two girls.
From the remaining brochures, we selected the highest score from each of the participating 11 Lodges and awarded a $1,000.00 scholarship to each for one year. After that was completed, money for six more awards was available, and the committee selected the next highest scores for these supplemental awards. A total of $17,000.00 was awarded again this year. We were also very pleased to have 4 applications for the Roger S. Sheridan scholarship. This year’s winner was Christopher P. McAuliffe from Brattleboro Lodge.
Thank you to each of the Lodge Scholarship Chairpersons for their participation this year. Your efforts are what make this program a success.
Thank you to Barre Lodge for the use of the facility and for the coffee and donuts.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert J. Campo
State Scholarship Chairman
VT ELKS DRUG AWARENESS
POSTER & ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
2013-2014
THEME – “DOWN WITH DRUGS-UP WITH AWARENESS”
Congratulations to the Vt. State Elks Winners
POSTER WINNERS ESSAY CONTEST WINNER
Bennington Lodge # 567 Newport Lodge # 2155
Ethan Yonconish Kayana Larose
Hoosick Falls Central School Newport Center School
Bennington, Vt $ 30.25 Gift Card and Bicycle
Grade 4
Springfield # 1560 Overall winner
Elizabeth A Griswald
Union St. School
Springfield, Vt
Grade 5
$30.25 Gift Card and Bicycle State Winner Girl
Elizabeth A. Griswald Springfield Lodge # 1560
$30.25 Gift Card and Bicycle State Winner Boy
Ethan Yonconish Bennington Lodge #567
$30.25 Gift Card
Merle Russell Springfield # 1560
$30.25 Gift Card
Kate Lockett Bennington # 567
Note: Gift Card Activation Fee $ 3.95 INCLUDED IN THE $ 25.00
Barre Elks Lodge has received a $2500 grant in conjunction with the Vermont Community Foundation’s Small and Inspiring Grant award program.
The grant will assist the Lodge in continuing to host Senior Citizens meals once per month during the fall, winter and spring months. These meals provide an outlet for social interaction and a hearty homemade meal for the senior citizens of the Central Vermont community. The invisible benefit of these meals is strengthening the social fabric of our Central Vermont community through connections and friendships.
As a result of the Small & Inspiring grant, we look forward to expanding the number of seniors we host at each meal. The funds will be used to promote the monthly meal, reach out to senior housing complexes with invitations and gas cards to defray transportation costs and work with local agencies to identify individuals that would benefit from a night out with social interaction over a hearty meal.
For more information on how the Small & Inspiring Grant award is helping to make a difference in the lives of senior citizens in our community, we invite you to visit our website at www.facebook.com/barreelks. You can also find information there on our upcoming events for this year and volunteer opportunities.
Some of the regulars at our Monthly Senior meals
Barre Elks Lodge held it’s first annual “Cornhole for a Cause” Cornhole Tournament to benefit the Vermont Foodbank. Thirty teams participated in the double elimination tournament. The tournament was organized by incoming Exalted Ruler Kevin Major and PR Chair Kristin Calcagni. “The tournament was a huge success, everyone had fun and supported a worthy cause in our community. That’s what Barre Elks Lodge is all about.”
The tournament was such a success that the Lodge plans on holding another tournament to benefit another charity later this year.
First place team: Jon Murchison & Kevin Major
