NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationPortland Again Hosts Summit Project
May 23, 2026: Today the Portland Elks Lodge hosted The Summit Project riders. 
TSP stones and stories have been shared on Katahdin, Cadillac, Kilimanjaro, Everest, Denali and been carried through parades, marathons and marches all across Maine. For Portland’s annually sponsored event the riders each carry a stone, engraved with a fallen heroes name on it, to Mt Katahdin where a living memorial is being built.
Accompanied by Maine State Troopers, the riders begin their journey after a light breakfast is provided at the Lodge. Ladder trucks from the Portland and South Portland Fire Departments rise the flag for riders to pass through as they begin their journey.
It’s a very moving tribute and many volunteers from the Lodge were on hand today to thank the riders as they left our parking lot.
Many thanks to Martha Binette for coordinating this every year and to the Portland Team, and to all the Elks who helped out. It’s a proud day to be an Elk.
First Lady Joleen’s Year-End Wrap-up
I had the honor, along with Corey DeWitt and Michaela DeWitt, to present a donation of $13,701.75 to The Center for Grieving Children, Maine. This was made possible through my raffle and the memberships’ generous donations throughout Corey’s year as President of the Maine Elks Maine Elks Association from May 2025 to May 2026.
L-R: Danielle from the Center, Michaela DeWitt, Joleen DeWitt & PSP Corey DeWitt.
I want to thank the members of the Maine Elks, family and friends for their generosity. The Center For Grieving Children holds a special place in my heart. Michaela and I went to the Portland location after the death of our oldest daughter, Courtney. A bit later I became a facilitator for some time at the Sanford location.
The Center helps families throughout Maine at both locations and remotely through Teams.
Thank you all so very much,
Joleen DeWitt
MEA First Lady, 2025-26
MEA Flag Day Observance
The annual Maine Elks Association Flag Day ceremony will be held at the Farmington Lodge of Elks #2430 on June 14th at 10:00 a.m. MEA President Duane “Kip” Clark and Farmington Exalted Ruler Jo L Spielvogel will lead the ceremony with the other State Association officers and Elk members.
To make the ceremony an impressive one, we are asking for volunteer flag bearers to carry in the ceremonial flags during the event. All Exalted Rulers, state lodge officers, and Maine Elk members are encouraged to attend and participate.
The uniform of the day will be white dinner jackets for State Officers, and Lodge Jackets for others participating in the event.
Volunteer flag bearers and State Officers should be at the Farmington Lodge at 9:30 a.m. to practice and review the ceremony.
If you plan to attend to volunteer as a flag bearer, please contact the event coordinator, Scott Gray, by calling his cell at 458-8982, or by e-mailing him at: dtsgray1963@gmail.com.
Elks Money to MCCP
MEA Calendar Winners for April 2026
| Date | Ticket | Lodge | Name | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 576 | 1954 | Norma LaFrance | $25 |
| 2 | 794 | 244 | Billy Smart | $25 |
| 3 | 778 | 244 | Brian Smith | $25 |
| 4 | 870 | 905 | Bob Pillsbury | $50 |
| 5 | 103 | 964 | Justin Rodrique | $50 |
| 6 | 588 | 835 | David Mcquade | $25 |
| 7 | 1789 | 2743 | Jan-Marie Grant | $25 |
| 8 | 1786 | 2743 | Jacob Grant | $25 |
| 9 | 418 | 1597 | Megan Barnhart | $25 |
| 10 | 1080 | 244 | Eric Baxter | $25 |
| 11 | 1120 | 244 | Dee Phillips | $50 |
| 12 | 1200 | 1008 | Jessica Lombardo | $50 |
| 13 | 227 | Ian Brook | $25 | |
| 14 | 1412 | 2743 | Diane Covey | $25 |
| 15 | 131 | 964 | Dennis Fortin | $25 |
| 16 | 1112 | 244 | Lloyd Black | $25 |
| 17 | 1411 | 2743 | Pam Butters | $25 |
| 18 | 1471 | 1521 | Dorothy Howard | $50 |
| 19 | 504 | 1521 | Jeff Beach | $50 |
| 20 | 423 | 1597 | Tina Hogan | $100 |
| 21 | 339 | 188 | Cathy Delucca | $25 |
| 22 | 569 | 1954 | Chris Giberson | $25 |
| 23 | 1075 | 244 | Zach Mecklin | $25 |
| 24 | 643 | 244 | Lisa Clark | $25 |
| 25 | 214 | 2788 | Paulette Rea | $50 |
| 26 | 977 | 905 | Sabria Beane | $50 |
| 27 | 847 | 905 | Jeff Flye | $25 |
| 28 | 46 | 2430 | Darcy LeSeige | $25 |
| 29 | 117 | 964 | Tom Stephenson | $25 |
| 30 | 1201 | 1008 | Rosemary Myers | $25 |
| 31 | 577 | 1954 | Maxine La France | $25 |
Update to the G-L Red Sox Game
Due to high interest in the Red Sox/White Sox game during the coming Grand Lodge session we have moved to a larger box, and even with the additional space we’re down to only 5-6 spots available.
To get into one of these few remaining slots I need responses as quickly as possible so I can order the t-shirts that we have also decided to go with!
Mindy Voisine (I’m in the MEA Book)
Important State Convention Lodging News
If you booked a room at either Holiday Inn or Home 2 Suites (No others), Allison at the hotel needs a debit or credit card to reserve the room. You must contact her by April 10th.
Augusta Elks Veterans Committee “Welcomes Home” Veterans
The heart of the Augusta Elks #964 Veterans Committee lies in ensuring that veterans feel truly at home. Our committee has been extremely active in assembling and delivering thoughtfully assembled Welcome Home Kits, designed to help veterans settle comfortably into their new residences.
Our home kit project has seen growing success over the last year, largely due to strong partnerships with case managers from agencies dedicated to supporting formerly unhoused veterans as they transition into permanent housing. The veteran receives a Welcome Home kit filled with essential household items, transforming empty apartments into warm, inviting homes.
The kits include:
• Kitchen necessities: Plates, silverware, toasters, pots and pans, cutlery, utensils and more.
• Bathroom supplies: Towels, bath rugs, shower curtains, and trash cans.
• Bedding basics: Comforters, sheets, blankets, pillows and mattress protectors.
In addition to household kits, our committee operates a furniture program to further support veterans in outfitting their new homes. We currently maintain four trailers dedicated to the collection and distribution of donated furniture, including tables, chairs, recliners, nightstands, love seats, mattresses with box springs and more. These generous donations come from lodge members and the broader community, enacting our Elk pledge: “so long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”
During the 2025-26 Elk Year, our efforts have resulted in the distribution of 56 home kits—an average of five kits per month. Approximately half of the veterans who received these kits were also provided with furniture, ensuring they have not only the essentials but also the comfort and dignity of a fully furnished home.
If you are interested in donating any household items or gently used furniture to this wonderful initiative, please contact the Augusta Elks Lodge to schedule a drop off time.
MEA Calendar Winners for March 2026
| Ticket | Name | Lodge | Amt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 777 | Cheryl Smith | 244 | $50 | |
| 1216 | Sally Kirk | 1008 | $25 | |
| 223 | Allan Timm | 7288 | $25 | |
| 738 | Josh Henderson | 244 | $25 | |
| 1001 | Shay Francis | 244 | $25 | |
| 1709 | Jone Pratt | 2743 | $25 | |
| 408 | Maurice Pardette | 1597 | $50 | |
| 1085 | Cheryl Burke-Dehate | 244 | $50 | |
| 415 | Traci Emery | 1597 | $25 | |
| 1203 | Maary McClusky | 1008 | $25 | |
| 899 | Lee Poulis | 905 | $25 | |
| 313 | Felecia Hamm | 188 | $25 | |
| 255 | Pauline Martin | 1470 | $25 | |
| 290 | Margaret Gronlund | 188 | $50 | |
| 553 | Bobby Russell | 1954 | $50 | |
| 1696 | Cameron Webb | 2743 | $25 | |
| 882 | Mike Michaud | 905 | $25 | |
| 1202 | Dwayne Guy | 1008 | $25 | |
| 238 | Carrie Meza | 1470 | $25 | |
| 589 | Mary Hartnett | 835 | $25 | |
| 973 | Donna Cutleffe | $50 | ||
| 578 | Gerald La France | 1954 | $50 | |
| 1686 | John Hutchins | 2743 | $25 | |
| 286 | Pat Sanders | 188 | $25 | |
| 649 | Shannon Richardson | 244 | $25 | |
| 1305 | Ashley Robinson | 1008 | $25 | |
| 1634 | Bruce Brunelle | 1470 | $25 | |
| 557 | Brad Johnson | 1954 | $50 | |
| 1638 | Kaitlyn Brunelle | 1470 | $50 | |
| 554 | Shirly Dougherty | 1954 | $25 | |
| 1067 | Tina Brown | 244 | $25 |
Augusta Elks Lodge ENF Team Visit
The Augusta Elks Lodge #964 had the honor of welcoming Meaghan Morris and Debbie Doles from the Elks National Foundation !!
While visiting Maine for the Elks Scholar Spring Service Trip, Meaghan and Debbie took the opportunity to visit our Lodge and learn more about The Elks Edge program, funded by the ENF Impact Grant. Patty Ward and her dedicated committee have been working closely with the Augusta Teen Center and Cony Alternative Ed Program to empower teens through mentorship, job skills training, community-based learning, and hands-on service projects.
Their day began with a visit to the Cony High School Alternative Education classroom, where students and teachers shared their projects—created with support from the Edge Program. This was followed by a delicious and fun lunch at the Woodshed in Manchester. Afterward, Meaghan and Debbie visited the Augusta Teen Center, where they saw the kids in action—making hygiene kits (containing body wash, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste for teens when needed) and preparing pizzas in the kitchen with our Elks mentors!
Back at the Lodge, they toured our facilities and enjoyed a social hour with our members. Thank you so much for visiting Meaghan and Debbie!