NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationElks 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!
Portland Lodge 188 Helps Feed the Hungry
Portland Lodge 188 helped fulfill a need in the community by providing recyclable grocery bags filled with non-perishable food items to Northern Light Mercy Hospital, the Appletree Village Senior Housing and the Portland Veterans Center. 200 bags were filled on Sunday, March 21 by members of the lodge as well as twelve ENF scholars visiting with their Scholar Service trip.
The kids were treated to breakfast, and then put to work alongside our lodge members. In no time at all, the 200 bags were filled and loaded into vehicles that would make the delivery of the bags.
Members of Lodge 188 donated close to $1,000 worth of food items and the remaining food items as well as the bags, were purchased with funds from the Gratitude Grant the lodge received from ENF.
This was a wonderful show of support and collaboration with the Lodge’s Activity Committee, Veteran Committee, and ENF Scholars.
More Elks Support to Maine Vets
The Augusta Elks #964 Veterans Committee held a Bowl-a-Thon at Interstate Bowling. There were over twenty-five participants, and everyone had a wonderful time bowling while raising a total of $3,200 for Maine Veterans in Need (MVN).
MVN is a non-profit that is dedicated to assisting veterans who are facing hardship. The organization advocates for veterans experiencing a crisis or emergency and works proactively to help prevent veteran homelessness. MVN addresses the gaps left by government programs, especially when urgent needs arise or when assistance is required outside of official business hours.
MVN operates without government funding, relying solely on donations and fundraising efforts, through events such as this Bowl-a-Thon organized by the Augusta Elks #964 Veterans Committee.
Some of the services provided include
- Food cards and gas cards for immediate necessities
- Short-term hotel stays for veterans when other agencies are unavailable
- Phone cards and Trac phones to ensure reliable communication
- Help with enrollment in the VA Healthcare system
- Assistance with phone payments to prevent service disconnection
- Support for car payments to prevent repossession
- Provision of home heating fuel during critical times
To learn more about MVN and their important work, please visit their website at https://maineveteransinneed.
Augusta Elks Veterans Committee Donation
The Augusta Elks Veterans Committee made a donation of $500 in Irving gas cards (twenty $25 gift cards) to Voluntary Services at Togus VA. These gas cards are handed out to Veterans in need to assist them with travel costs to and from their medical appointments. Pictured is Ken Gotreau, Exalted Ruler of the Augusta Elks #964 donating the gift cards to Sarah Goodman, Acting Chief of Voluntary Services at Togus VA. “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”