GEA Activities
Due to the potential for bad actors (being hacked), the following changes have been made to this site.
You will now have to go to elks.org and sign in to get emails and phone numbers.
There is a pdf with the GEA officers and committee chairs with this information.
Follow this link for contact information on the GEA Officers and Committee Chairs
(This is Lake Oconee Lodge's site at elks.org. Go to more info and choose GEA 2023-24, login
and view the officers and committee chair info)
About Hoop Shoot
Through our Hoop Shoot program, the Elks have been developing and reinforcing grit for long before researchers and experts concluded that grit is so important for our children. Just listen to the parents and contestants in these videos. They’re talking about grit.
Basketball Hall of Fame
Each year, the names of the six national champions are inscribed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Two of the Frank Hise National Champions are in attendance when the inductees are honored at the Enshrinement Ceremony.
Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award
The Elks Hoop Shoot is the proud new sponsor of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s annual Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award. The Hall of Fame awards two Wootten Awards annually to boys and girls high school coaches who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of student athletes. The award is named for Morgan Wootten, a legendary high school basketball coach.
The Elks Hoop Shoot is a free throw program for youth ages 8-13. I have worked hoop shoot going on 36 years, and have watched children advance from local competition all the way to becoming national champions. This is what I have personally witnessed, they have all grown, by knowing that if they don't practice then they may lose, and they want to win. Their confidence and self-esteem has also increased. Their scores usually improve with each competition. Win or lose they gave their all and are committed to doing better next year or in their future endeavors. Through our program they learn this and so much more to help them in their lives.
News from the Court
2023-2024 GEA State Champions and Regional Competitors
Edward Sanchez, 8-9 Boys Dalton Lodge, 21/25 1st Place at Regional
Jasel Geter, 8-9 Girls, Covington Elks 18/25 Medalist
Kobe Fussell, 10-11 Boys, Douglas Lodge, 21/25 3rd Place Regional
Blakely Reed, 10-11, Girls, Dalton Lodge, 24/25 2nd Place Regional
Jake Rhudy, 12-13, Boys, LaFayette Lodge, 20/25 Medalist
Kamaria Burse, 12-13 Girls, Dalton Lodge, 20/25 1st Place at Regional
We have two children going to the National finals in Chicago. If you want to watch the competitions from the comfort of your home, go to YouTube, 2024 Hoop Shoot National Finals Livestreams. Contest starts April 20, at 9:00 AM for the 8-9 year olds.
I want to thank all of the Lodges and Volunteers for giving their time to make this year a success. A special thanks to the Covington Lodge for hosting our state banquet, they did a great job again this year.
We had 14 Lodges participating this year and I am happy to report that we added two new Lodges, Brunswick and Toccoa. We also had 100% state participation again this year.
I want to thank Bob Reardon, who is retiring, for serving as the Southern Hoop Shoot Director for the past several years. I want to welcome Charlie Watson to our team, he will now serve in this role. Also, retiring this year are Jack and Miriam Wheeler from Covington Lodge after working our hoop shoot program for more than thirty years. They have been instrumental in securing the gyms for our state hoop shoot, setting up our state awards banquets and so much more.
We are gearing up for next year's Hoop Shoot Program and anticipate more of our Lodges joining us. If you need any assistance please contact me. Visit our website (gaelks.org, GEA Activities) for more information and updates on this great program.
GEA Hoop Shoot Directors 2024-2025
Bob Colie, Lake Oconee Lodge, NE District Director
Randy Keener, Dalton Lodge, NW District Director
Charlie Watson, Albany Lodge, S District Director
Vance Rhodes, State Hoop Shoot Director
Soccer Shoot
Soccer is one of the fastest growing youth activities in the country. The Elks Soccer Program is geared to coincide with this sport phenomenon. From toddlers to teens, in our large urban centers to our small suburban settings, soccer is becoming the sport of choice for our youth. This program is the kind of sporting event to help keep our youth focused and away from undesirable activities. Soccer Chairman is Bethany Jackson (Regional Soccer Shoot will be held at the Florida Elks Youth Camp, date to be determined)
Scholarships-Most Valuable Student
Those eligible are current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. High School graduates are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify. Legacy Scholarships are available for high school seniors of children and grandchildren of dues paying Elk Members. Chairman is Bethany Jackson.
GEA Secretaries Association
If you need information regarding the Secretaries Association, or CLMS, or anything else Secretary related, contact GEA Secretaries Association President Larry Westberry.
Drug Awareness
The Elks have the largest Drug Awareness program in the United States. We are very proud of our dedicated army of volunteers who freely give their time and talents to this most noble cause. The Elks are committed to eliminating the use and abuse of illegal drugs by all members of society and believe that in order to ensure a bright future for our country, it is essential that our children be raised in a drug-free environment. The Elks Drug Awareness Video contest's theme for 2023-2024 is "Be Kind To Your Mind-Live Drug Free". The contest is open to two age groups: Pre High School and High School. Info and forms are on the forms & documents page. The Elks Drug Awareness Poster Contest's theme "Be Kind To Your Mind-Live Drug Free" is open to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students and info and forms are also on the forms and documents page. The Drug Awareness Essay contest's theme is also "Be Kind To Your Mind-Live Drug Free" and is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Info and forms are on the forms and documents page. The Enrique S. Camarena Award is for a member of the law enforcement community who best exemplifies the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life. Nominees should be involved in their communities in an effort to help that community become drug free. Nomination form and info are on the forms and documents page. You can also find information there about the Red Ribbon Patch Program. The DEA Red Ribbon Patch Program is designed to provide Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn a patch from the Drug Enforcement Administration by performing antidrug activities in commemoration of Red Ribbon Week. Also go to forms and documents for the Drug Awareness Trailer Check List and the Drug Awareness Trailer Listings.
Drug Awareness Chair Cyndi Russell
Lodge Activities
Community Projects Contest
The Grand Lodge is holding a Community Projects Contest. All lodges are encouraged to participate. The project focus should be one that fills a need in your community and makes a difference to those you serve.
(see forms & documents)
