Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -01/10/08


Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs


Skowhegan-Madison Elks, VFW kick off "Pennies from Heaven" for MCCP
From Mike Lange, Central District Public Relations Chairman


MADISON - On Friday, Jan. 4 Commander Jim Tucci and the members of the Harvell-Bishop VFW Post in Madison presented Denny LeClair and Bob Godin, members of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, with a very generous donation from their “pennies for cancer” fund.  The result was a $512 donation to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP) through the Maine Elks Association’s MCCP Private Sector Committee.

The $512 donation consisted of $125  in cash and $387 or approximately 168 pounds of coins.  The coins consisted of 450 rolls of pennies, 11 rolls of quarters, 8 rolls of dimes and 6 rolls of nickels.  The two Elks members thanked Commander Jim Tucci, who is also a member of the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge, and the members of the Madison VFW Post for their support and contribution to MCCP.

Anyone who would like more information on the program and/or to make contributions may contact Godin by mail PO Box 652, Skowhegan, Maine  04976; via e-mail at bgodin@rfgh.net  or by phone at (207) 399-0092.


Togus Wish List-January 2008

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS
:

1.       Drivers for statewide Volunteer Transportation Network – Rumford, Bangor,

2.       Parking Lot Shuttle drivers at Togus (Monday & Tuesday)

3.       Veterans History Project- recording personal histories

4.       Mealtime companions for long term care patients - individuals and small groups needed

5.       Nuclear Medicine –Office help & procedure buddies

6.       Primary Care – Computer instruction- My HealtheVet & MOVE Program

7.       Hospice Volunteers – Training provided

8.       NHCU – assistance with clothing/writing letters/reading/visitation

9.       NHCU – 1 on 1 visitation to play board games/cribbage/dominos/etc.

10.   Telehealth Support – Learn to provide support in your community to patients using home telehealth devices (Aroostook, Washington, Hancock, Oxford, York, and Cumberland counties)

11.   CBOC Volunteer needed in Rumford and Bangor to assist team with general office help

12.   The Information Desk is looking for volunteers that will be able to escort patients and visitors throughout the facility

 

ONGOING PROGRAM SUPPORT:

1.       Electric razors – triple head type. ($49-$69 ea.)

2.       Comfort Item Program (travel size toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc.)

3.       Diabetic snacks for clinic patients

4.       Coffee & Newspaper funds – provides coffee/newspapers at waiting areas/wards/clinics

5.       General Patient Comfort Fund including Memorial Donations

6.       Adapted Sports Equipment/Outings – Recreation Therapy

7.       National Rehabilitation Events (Golden Age Games, Winter Sports, Wheelchair Games, and Creative Arts )

 

SPECIAL REQUESTS/PROJECTS:
 

1.       Unit 4 South activity sponsorship. (approx. $50 pizza party, $25 ice cream Social)

2.       Televisions for patient rooms (approx. $285 ea.)

3.       TV/VCR/DVD combo & cart for Bangor, CBOC ( $500-$700)

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The Internal Revenue Service has announced that under the Tax Code, donations to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ General Post Fund for exclusively public purposes are deductible from federal income taxes in the manner and to the extent allowable.  The announcement reflects the tax law provision, which makes those donations deductible as “donations to the United States”.  Donations to support any of the Department’s programs are deductible, whether the donor directs that the donated funds be used for a specific purpose or allows the Department to decide how the donated funds will be used.  Donated funds made by check should be made out to “VAVS” and sent to the address above.

NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME!  Used Stamps; any clothing that is stained or torn; Jigsaw Puzzles; Playing Cards; Hardcover Books; Romance Novels; Magazines Over Three Months Old; Disposable Razors; Soap; After-Shave; Writing Tablets; Pens; and Envelopes.  Due to Infection Control policies we are unable to take used walkers, canes, or crutches at this time.


Be thinking of who to pick for GER awards

By HARRY H. HARTLEY, GL State Associations/Lodge Activities Committee member


As outlined in the Grand Lodge, Lodge Activities/State Associations Committee Program, there are four types of Grand Exalted Ruler awards that can be presented to deserving Elks in your lodge or district. All you need to do is review the qualifications set forth in the GL/Lodge Activities/State Associations Committee brochure for 2007-08. If your member, exalted ruler, subordinate lodge or district deputy has met the criteria, they are entitled to a special award issued in his or her name from Grand Exalted Ruler F. Louis Sulsberger.


For Outstanding Members

·         A personal message of thanks and a GER Pin will be issued by the Grand Exalted Ruler in recognition of members who bring in a total of three new or reinstated members.

·         Each exalted ruler is authorized to issue two citations to members performing outstanding service for their lodge.

These certificates must be ordered in writing from your area member of the GL/Lodge Activities/State Associations Committee. Please order on a timely basis. Specify if any special date is required on the certificate. This request should be postmarked no later than March 31, 2008.


For Exalted Ruler

Special citations will be awarded to exalted rulers who participate in four or more of the following programs during the year: 1. Community Service and Image Brochure Contest; 2. Elks Hoop Shoot; 3. Youth scholarship program; 4. Achieve $4.25 Elks National Foundation per capita goal, plus participating membership by all lodge officers. Participation in at least three of the following: a. All-American Lodge Contest; b. Americanism Brochure Contest; c. Drug Awareness program; d. Elks Memorial Day Brochure program; e. Elks National Youth Week; f. Lodge Bulletin Contest; g. Ritualistic Contest; h. student/teenager of the month/year program; and i. Veterans Service and/or Adopt-A-Vet program. Citations are available through your area Grand Lodge, Lodge Activities/State Associations member. These requests should be postmarked no later than March 31, 2008.

For Subordinate Lodges

·         Issued to each lodge that participates in at least six programs listed in the GL/Lodge Activities brochure. This request should be postmarked no later than March 31, 2008.

·         Issued to each lodge that attains at least two of the goals listed in GL/Lodge Activities brochure. This request should be postmarked no later than March 31, 2008.

·         Issued to each lodge with a lapsation rate of 2 percent or less as of March 31, 2008. Entitlement to this award shall be determined by the office of the Grand Secretary based on information provided by each subordinate lodge in its final membership report for the period ending March 31, 2008.

These certificates should be ordered from your area member of the GL/Lodge. (Note—For Maine that would be James Ferland)

For District Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers

Issued to DDGER’s at the end of their term of office based upon completion and submission of a copy of DDGER’s checklist to the office of the Grand Secretary no later than May 15, 2008, with a copy to the state sponsor.

Except where otherwise noted, special citations may be requested from your area member of the GL/Lodge Activities/State Associations Committee. Please request within a timely basis. Specify any special date required. Request must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2008.


If you have news or information of interest to the members of the Maine Elks Association, please send your articles to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net for inclusion in the MEA Calendar, Newsbriefs, and/or Website. Also, if you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please send an e-mail to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net. In addition, if you know of someone who would like to be added to this list, please have them forward their e-mail address to the same address. All information provided has been read and approved by the MEA State President