Exalted Ruler
Troy Pedersen

Happy Fall! Just in time for pumpkin spice and another great dinner coming up. Our Oktoberfest dinner will be on FRIDAY October 3rd and it's coming up fast. This is a great one to attend, and is sponsored by your Lodge #80 PER Association, who will be making and serving the dinner with some help from other fellow officers. All members and their guests are welcome so bring families and friends. It is well attended so RSVP early so we can have your seat waiting for you.

Special thanks to PER Amy Jacobson and her husband Dave for sponsoring our September dinner!

You might have noticed the Elk-O-Gram has changed a little. Our Inner Guard Mary Ryan is our new editor, so thank her when you see her for her editorial skills; it's a big job!! I would like to thank our Chaplain Maureen Sadler and past Lodge officer Randy King for their 15 years editing the newsletter, and wish them well in their future endeavors.
Also happening this fall: Elks Lodge #80 sponsors several Lincoln Youth Football (LYF) teams this year. Games are at Christensen field every Sunday for the next couple of months. The Elks are one of the original sponsors, and have supported LYF over 60 years. If you can, head on down and support our teams.
Our Lodge always has volunteer opportunities serve your community, and to make new friends and meet up with some old friends. Our newsletter lists many ways for you to serve, so keep the EOG handy, help out and just have fun.

Troy

Grand Exalted Ruler

A Message from the Grand Exalted Ruler
Hon. Bryan R. Klatt
Elks fundraising, donations aid communities

Can you Be The Difference in the most important program in our Order, the Elks National Foundation? Our goal for the 2025–2026 fraternal year is $5.15 per Member—the monetary support we provide makes the Foundation's work possible.

This year, the Foundation has an approved budget of $48.2 million to make a difference in the U.S., including $18 million for Lodge Community Investments Program grants.

This grant program allows our Lodges to do more for your communities. I also encourage all Lodges to seriously consider forming an ENF committee to educate themselves on the various grants to assist their communities. You can make an impact, and when united with our fellow Elks across the nation, we can Be The Difference.

Also, make use of the fundraising program through the Foundation's Fidelity Club. Any Member can sign up at elks.org to make automatic recurring donations for as little as $5 per month. I encourage you to consider joining. This is once again a way for you to show your communities that "Elks Care—Elks Share."

Another important program we must focus our attention on is Red Ribbon Week. This is our nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, held annually from October 23-31.

There are many ways to celebrate. Have your local elected officials issue a proclamation declaring Red Ribbon Week. Pass out red ribbons to your local school administrators, government officials, and members of law enforcement.

When we wear a red ribbon, it means we are looking to take a stand against the horrible ramifications that drugs can have on our communities. Standing together will have a positive impact on the citizens where you live. The Elks will always lead the charge against the devastation that drugs have on families.

By now, school is in full swing. It's a good time to introduce the Americanism Essay Contest to your local schools. The deadline for submissions is mid-December. There is complete essay information on the Elks website in the GL Fraternal Committee section under Forms and Contests. It's time to let our youth express themselves about respecting patriotism and our country’s heritage. Students who win the essay contest should be recognized by your Local Lodge.

Hold an event for them and give these students recognition certificates to administer to the schools. I am always amazed at the wisdom and knowledge that students can express. All Americans would benefit from reading these essays.

In closing, Be The Difference by promoting "Elks Care—Elks Share."

Secretary
Laurie Montag

October begins the holiday season in earnest! Please keep yourself up to date with lodge activities by reading the newsletter every month and checking out our web page at elks80.org!

The Lodge still has 19 members who have not yet paid their current year dues. Three statements have been sent so far and another will go out soon. We hope our delinquent members will remember back to why they joined our Order and remit their dues promptly.

Please refer to my September column for information about leaving the Order. We will begin publishing the names of delinquent members in the November newsletter.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need assistance with all things Elk. There is voicemail on the lodge phone, or you may contact me as below. See you at the Lodge!

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need assistance with all things Elk. There is voicemail on the lodge phone, or you may contact me as below. See you at the Lodge!
Laurie Montag / secretary@elks80.org / 402.202.6673 by text or phone Laurie Montag / secretary@elks80.org / 402.202.6673 by text or phone.

TeamUp Calendar: https://teamup.com/ks72770fc1e574f762

Leading Knight
Dr William Jackson

The Leading Knight message is not available at this time.

Loyal Knight
Tami Nordman

The Loyal Knight message is not available at this time.

Lecturing Knight
Dave Shoff

The Lecturing Knight message is not available at this time.