NEWS

News from the Maine Elks Association

Rose Parade Recognition for BPOE

by | Jan 1, 2026

DRUM ROLL, ELKDOM! Isabella Coleman Award Winner!
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks – Elks USA 2026 Tournament of Roses float has won the Isabella Coleman Award for the most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design!
This prestigious honor celebrates excellence in floral artistry, and our award-winning float, Elks Care – Elks Share, dazzled the nation with its beauty, craftsmanship, and meaning during the Tournament of Roses Parade.
In 2026, we proudly mark 100 years of the Elks National Memorial, and this float told that story in full color; honoring a century of service while reminding viewers everywhere that Elks make a difference in their communities every single day.
This award belongs to every Elk Volunteer. From local Lodges to national programs, this recognition reflects the heart of Elkdom: Community, Friendship, and Charity; brought to life through extraordinary design and purpose.
Feel proud. Share the news. Celebrate the impact.
And if you are inspired by what you saw, we invite you to be part of it:
Join us or learn more at: join.elks.org
Float footage courtesy of KTLA 5 News

F-B Video

Elks Bring Thanksgiving to Their Neighbors

by | Dec 30, 2025

Since 2020, Farmington Elks Lodge #2430, with financial support from the Masons, has provided Thanksgiving dinner to Franklin County seniors and low-income households free of charge.  This year more than 460 meals were prepared and delivered!

Residents sign up through their housing coordinators, local signup sheets, or referrals from social workers and medical professionals.

The Farmington lodge partners with the Augusta Valley of Scottish Rite Masons, who had previously provided this annual meal at the Mount Blue High School cafeteria until its closure during the COVID pandemic in 2020.

Holiday Message from President Corey

by | Dec 23, 2025

Members of the Maine Elks Association
Hello my fellow Maine Elks, as we are in the midst of our holiday season,
Joleen and I want to wish our fondest best wishes to you all. We have been busy
traveling the great state and meeting with fellow Elks. It has certainly been a pleasure
seeing old friends and making new ones. We would also like to thank you for all the
charitable work your lodges have been doing during this holiday season. It certainly is
humbling to see what Maine Elks do for those in need around our state.
I would also like to remind you that this can be a trying time for some of our
family, friends, and others in our communities. Please reach out to others and check in
on them or a simple call and say hi. Let them know you are thinking of them. We all
know mental health can be difficult on some during the holidays and a simple “hello,
how are you doing” could make a big difference in someone’s life. As Dr. Seuss
famously wrote in the story of the Grinch, “Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little
bit more.”
Finally, continue to do all your great charitable through the year and be sure to
spread the word of your charitable efforts and work to increase our membership.
Again, Joleen and I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a happy and
healthy holiday season and New Year.
Fraternally,
Corey DeWitt, PDDGER, PER,
MEA State President

Lodge 188 Supports Foster Kids

by | Dec 21, 2025

Portland Lodge #188 used their $2,000 Spotlight Grant to support Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine buy filling 100 backpacks for children entering the foster care system.  Known nationwide as Comfort Cases, these backpacks are filled with essentials, based on age, as to what a child may need to provide them some comfort, dignity, and pride in having their belongings in a new backpack and not a trash bag when they are taken from their home and placed in the foster care system.

FRONT L-R: Patty Amico, Jeanette Conley, Gale Murphy
BACK: L-R: Colleen Hilton, Margaret Poulin, Beth Gilboy from Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine, Susan Smythe, ER Joe Winschel, Kim Toppi

The 100 backpacks were filled with ALL NEW pajamas, personal care items, a blanket, stuffed animal, socks, journals, and a book. We were able to fill each backpack with all of these supplies thanks to the generosity of our members who stepped up and made this project possible.

A representative from the agency was at the Portland Lodge on December 12 to accept the backpacks.

“Welcome Home” from the Augusta Elks

by | Dec 8, 2025

During the month of November, the Augusta Elks Lodge #964 Veterans Committee organized a Home Kit Supply Drive to honor November Veterans Remembrance Month.

The initiative aimed to gather essential supplies to support homeless veterans as they transition into new housing.  Thanks to the remarkable generosity of our lodge members the drive was a great success!

Approximately 275 items were collected throughout the month, demonstrating the commitment of our Elk community to supporting veterans in need.  The collected items will be used to put together Welcome Home kits for recently housed veterans, giving them much-needed essentials for use in their new homes.

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