Best Image of Elkdom Contest 

The search for the "Best Image of Elkdom" is underway, and the Grand Lodge Public Relations Committee wants you to be part of it.

The contest is held throughout the year, with winners announced in October, February, and May. The contest is easy to enter, and contestants can win a digital camera, and the opportunity to receive national recognition at the Elks Grand Lodge Convention next year.

The rules are simple: Send in a photo that tells a story about an Elk Community Activity without words. It must have no more than 8-10 people, include the Elk Logo, Event Signage, and include Elks and Non-Elks (the non-Elk subjects being engaged.)

The photo contest is open to ALL Elks, and there is no limit on the number of entries.

To enter: Send your photo, along with the Elk photographers name, Lodge Name and Number, as well as the Date and Name of the function. Send to:

William J. Hopkins III, Committeeman
Grand Lodge Public Relations
9 Byron St
Hudson, MA 01749-1422
 

MCCP "Owie Box" in Need of Toys 

Maine Elks Association Director of the Maine Children's Cancer Program, Donald Richard announces that the Maine Children's Cancer Program' Owie Box is running very low on toys, and is requesting that all Lodges provide new toys for the program.

What is the "Owie Box?" It is a program at the MCCP Cancer Program Center in Scarborough, Maine that allows any child who undergoes a painful procedure to take home an item from the box. For younger children, it may be a toy, or for teenagers, it may be an Ipod or other electronic gadget appropriate for their age group.

For more information on what may be needed or appropriate, or on how to deliver the toys, contact Donald Richard at 207-778-3847 or bigelk1@hughes.net

Togus VA Wish List-September 2009 

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS:

1.      Drivers for Volunteer Transportation Network (Bangor, Rumford, Bath/Brunswick)
2.      Mealtime companions for long term care patients (any lunch and dinner during the week)
3.      73 Patriot Place and Dialysis - 1-on-1 visitation/reading and talking with patient
4.      Parking Lot Shuttle driver
5.      Information Desk
6.      Escort Volunteers
 
 
ONGOING PROGRAM SUPPORT:

1.      Calling cards (60 minutes or more per card)
2.      Afghans (for a twin bed)
3.      Comfort Items, i.e., shampoo, deodorant, disposable razors etc. (No alcohol based products)
4.      Diabetic snacks funds
5.      Coffee funds (provides coffee in waiting areas/wards/clinics)
6.      Newspaper funds (provides newspapers in waiting areas/wards/clinics)
7.      General Patient Comfort Fund including Memorial Donations
8.      Adapted Sports Equipment/Outings - Recreation Therapy
9.      National Rehabilitation Events (Golden Age Games, Winter Sports, Wheelchair Games, and Creative Arts )
 
SPECIAL REQUESTS/PROJECTS:

1.      Televisions for patient rooms (approx $300 ea.)
2.      Unit 4 South activity sponsorship (approx $50 pizza party, $25 ice cream social)
3.      Organizations to sponsor entertainment on 73 Patriot Place
4.      Parking Lot Shuttle Vehicle Project
5.      Volunteer shirts (approx $2000)
6.      73 Patriots Place furniture project (approx $4500)
7.      Caribou Vet Center Client trip to the Vietnam Memorial Wall (approx $2400)
 
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NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME!  Used Stamps; any clothing that is stained or torn;Jigsaw Puzzles; Playing Cards; Hardcover Books; Magazines over three months old; Dental Floss; After-Shave; Hand Lotion; Writing Tablets; Pens; and Envelopes.  Due to Infection Control policies we are unable to take used walkers, canes, or crutches at this time.
 
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.
 

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, the MEA Website, or future issues of this newsletter.

If you would like to create newsletters like this, and begin an e-mail marketing program for your business or organization, please click on this referral link to receive a $30 dollar credit.