Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -11/08/07

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

Regional Soccer Shoot Roundup



The Maine Elks Association announces the winners from the Regional Soccer Shoot competition held at the Gardiner Middle School , and hosted by the Augusta Elks Lodge on November 3, 2007. Fifty six boys and girls from across New England and New York competed for top honors in the region. The Elks Soccer Shoot is a nationwide soccer shooting skills contest for children under the age of fourteen.

The competition was broken down into two separate events based upon the competitor’s age. For children in the U-8 (under 8) and U-10 (9-10 year-olds), the event consisted of a five-goal contest, with goal size decreasing from 48 inches to 17 inches. Points were awarded based on the size of the goal. Each competitor received three shots at each goal, with the highest total score winning the contest. For children in the U-12 (11-12 year olds) and U-14 (13-14 year olds), a full size gridded soccer goal is used. Points were awarded based upon which area the ball entered the goal.

Here are the results of the event:

Each competitor received a recognition plaque for participating in the event, as well as an Elks soccer ball signed by each of their fellow competitors. Trophies were awarded to each of the top three competitors in each age group. The top scoring boy and girl in the Junior (U-8 and U-10) and Senior (U-12 and U-14) divisions also received a larger trophy recognizing their achievement. The top scorers were Kimberly Zuber and Bryant Quinlan in the Junior division, and Victoria Russo and Eric MacAndrews for the Senior division.

Pictured above are the winners of each of their respective divisions: From Left to Right are: Kimberly Zuber (MA), Bryant Quinlan (NY), Taylor Williams (ME), Justin Rodrique (ME), Millie Mulieri (NY), Andrew Peterson (CT), Victoria Russo (MA), Eric MacAndrews (RI).

The children participating in this competition were all winners of local, district soccer, and state level soccer shoot contests sponsored by Elk Lodges throughout the region. Each year, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks sponsors this nationwide contest as one of its many youth programs designed to give children an alternative to drugs, provide them with a positive experience, and allow them to have fun. For more information on the Elks, visit www.maineelks.org or www.elks.org .

Grand Exalted Ruler Visits Maine

On Sunday, November 4, 2007 the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, F. Louis Sulsberger and his wife Elizabeth arrived at the Portland International Jetport for their official four day visit to the State of Maine. Greeting them at the airport was Past Grand Exalted Ruler Amos McCallum of Saco, Maine Elks State President Bruce Brunelle of the Sanford Lodge, and several other Grand Lodge and State dignitaries.

A resident of Flora, Illinois, Sulsberger says “The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks is an amazing organization that makes a difference in thousands of communities across the nation each day. I’m proud that the more than 1 million men and women who make up the Order of Elks are real leaders devoted to caring and sharing.” Sulsberger has promised that as Grand Exalted Ruler, the Order’s title for its highest office, his key goals for the Elks are to champion community service; provide help and hope to the underprivileged and the disabled; encourage family involvement in the Elks at every level; provide for the needs of the nation’s veterans; and increase sponsorship of youth activities and programs. “The work that the Elks do, nationally, at the state level, and locally, has touched so many lives for the better. When people lean about the millions of dollars we give away and our long hours of volunteering at VA medical centers, shelters, hospices, schools, and in the nation’s communities, they can’t help but be impressed. We’re an organization that is immensely proud of the difference that we make.

During their visit to Maine, the Sulsberger’s had the opportunity to learn first hand about the history and the beauty of the State of Maine. Their travels included visits to the Maine State Museum in Augusta, the Longfellow Museum in Portland, the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and scenic parts of Southern Maine. They also visited the Augusta and Sanford Elk Lodges, and had the opportunity to meet with the Governor of the State of Maine, John E. Baldacci.

On November 6, 2007, a banquet was held in honor of the Grand Exalted Ruler and his wife at the Sanford Elks Lodge. During his address, Sulsberger spoke about the challenges facing the Elks today, including the decline in membership. He also spoke about the great heart of Elkdom; the Elks National Foundation. Following his address, Representatives from each of Maine’s twenty-two Lodges presented the GER and his wife with gift certificates and Maine made products. GER Sulsberger capped off the evening by signing each member’s card, and providing them with a pin. Over One Thousand Dollars was raised at from card signing during their 4 day visit, which will be donated to the Elks National Foundation.

Pictured above are L-R: Grand Exalted Ruler F. Louis Sulsberger, First Lady Elizabeth Sulsberger, Governor John E. Baldacci, MEA First Lady Lisa Brunelle, and MEA State President Bruce Brunelle at the Governor’s office in Augusta.   

Update on VA Policy on Flag Folding Recitations at National Cemeteries

The VA recently issued a memorandum to “clarify” their recent policy change to ban recitations during the folding of flags at veteran funerals. The memorandum is as follows:

To ensure burial services at the 125 national cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reflect the wishes of veterans and their families, VA officials have clarified the Department’s policy about recitations made while the U.S. flag is folded at the gravesite of a veteran.

“Honoring the burial wishes of veterans is one of the highest commitments for the men and women of VA,” said William F. Tuerk, VA’s Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.  “A family may request the recitation of words to accompany the meaningful presentation of the American flag as we honor the dedication and sacrifice of their loved ones.” Traditional gravesite military funeral honors include the silent folding and presentation of an American flag, a 21-gun rifle salute, and the playing of “Taps.”

The clarification includes the following:

Volunteer honor guards are authorized to read the so-called “13-fold” flag recitation or any comparable script; Survivors of the deceased need to provide material and request it be read by the volunteer honor guards; and Volunteer honor guards will accept requests for recitations that reflect any or no religious traditions, on an equal basis.

Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery.  Other burial benefits available for all eligible veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker. 

Skowhegan Savings Bank Makes Donation to MCCP
By Mike Lange, Central District Public Relations Chairman

SKOWHEGAN – The Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge has announced that Skowhegan Savings Bank has made a $1,000 donation to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP).

The check was presented to Robert T. Godin, chairman of the Maine Elks Association MCCP Private Sector Committee, and Julie A. Washburn, Exalted Ruler of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge on Oct. 31.

“We are very grateful to Skowhegan Savings Bank for their generosity,” said Godin. “The Maine Elks Association adopted the MCCP as its major program in 1985. Since then, over 800 children have been treated at the center and 70 percent of them have been cured. However, there is still a lot to be done.”

Godin, a Past Exalted Ruler of the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge, has raised nearly $24,900 from the private sector for the MCCP in the last two-and-a-half years. Skowhegan Savings Bank also made a previous donation of $300.

The Maine Elks Association has also collected 5, 221 used cell phones that were sold to a recycler and raised an additional $12,000 for MCCP.

In early October, the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge donated $3,294 to MCCP, thanks to some successful fund-raising events in late summer and early fall.



Skowhegan Savings Bank Marketing Officer Karen E. Hart (right) presented a $1,000 check to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP) on Oct. 31. Also pictured are Robert T. Godin, chairman of the Maine Elks Association MCCP Private Sector Committee and Julie A. Washburn, Exalted Ruler of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge.

Scary Happenings: Sanford Elks host 22^nd Annual Haunted House
By Carol Spellman, Sanford Elks Public Relations



On Halloween night, the Sanford Elks Lodge hosted its 22^nd annual “Haunted House” as one of the Lodge’s Drug Awareness programs for the community.

This year, the Lodge welcomed over 500 children and their families through the doors for some good old chills and thrills. The haunted house consisted of 5 different eerie rooms along with the haunted hallway going down to the Butcher's dungeon, where you had better hang onto your bones, guts and head!!! Other rooms consisted of a cemetery, guillotine chopping room, heads on shelf room and Dracula's room where you needed to pass quietly or he might wake up and jump out of his coffin!

New this year was the fun provided outside on the back lawn of the Lodge. A Pumpkin patch with hay bales and cornstalks was constructed so that children 6 and under who might not want to go into the haunted house got to ride on member Danny Payer's small replica fire engine around the pumpkin patch where he would stop and they could jump out and get a pumpkin for the ride back to their parents. The children also received a bag of Halloween candy which also included drug awareness pamphlets, pencils, rulers and ribbons. a little over 500 of these bags are put together every year and every child, no matter their age gets these drug awareness items along with candy in their bags. Inside the haunted house, once the kids and their families make it through the haunted halls, they are passed their bags as they go out the back door.

This event takes a tremendous amount of work and need for volunteers. Chairperson for this event was Elk Member and past Elk of the year, Fran Libby. She had an excellent crew that helped for at least 4 days before the event by putting up all the tarps that separate the different rooms and hallways inside the function hall and then all the decorations and props need to go up. On the night of the event many Members dressed for the fun and work the different rooms to bring screams and fun to the kids. The event also had a great turn out of high school kids who volunteered their time for community service. We would like to thank all of them all for their hard work and dedication to this annual successful event.

Update on Glenn Leavitt’s Progress

To everyone who has come to visit, sent cards, flowers and well wishes to Glenn, my thanks go out to all. This is a very discouraging time for Glenn so every time he opens a card and I read all of the well wishes and prayers, it helps more than you can imagine. The recovery process is a very slow one. He has a long road ahead but therapy is going well according to his Doctor.  He will remain in the hospital as he continues to work toward recovery.
I've always known the heart of an Elk was deep and caring but I've had a first hand opportunity to witness the kindness and love shown to Glenn at this time. 
Our deepest gratitude to all!

Glenn & Cynthia Leavitt

Don’t Forget to Send our Veterans This Holiday Season

Some e-mail’s being passed around the internet are requesting people to send letters and packages to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center addressed to “any recovering soldier,” or “any wounded soldier.” Please do not send letters or packages addressed in this way. Walter Reed will not accept cards to "any wounded soldier" due to security reasons. Pretty much all mail, packages, etc addressed to "any soldier, etc" is no longer processed. Defense Dept.: Only Packages Addressed from 'Known Mailers' to Individual Soldiers Will Be Delivered.

There is a legit charitable group that gets packages to "any soldier"

http://www.anysoldier.com/

Here's from Walter Reed website:

http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/Lists/WRNews/DispForm.aspx?Id=24 &

Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier' that Walter Reed cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.

In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages. Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into a collection box will not be delivered.

Instead of sending an “Any Wounded Soldier” letter or package to Walter Reed, please consider making a donation to one of the more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families listed on the "America Supports You" website,

www.americasupportsyou.mil

Other organizations that offer means of showing your support for our troops or assist wounded service members and their families include:

http://www.usocares.org/
http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/
http://www.redcross.org

For individuals without computer access, your local military installation, the local National Guard or military reserve unit in your area may offer the best alternative to show your support to our returning troops and their families.  Walter Reed Army Medical Center will continue to receive process and deliver all mail that is addressed to a specific individual.

As Walter Reed continues to enhance the medical care and processes for our returning service members, it must also must keep our patients and staff members safe while following Department of Defense policy. The outpouring of encouragement from the general public, corporate America and civic groups throughout the past year has been incredible. Our Warriors in Transition are amazed at the thanks and support they receive from their countrymen.

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