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 2024-25, login
and view the officers and committee chair info)
About Hoop Shoot
A free throw competition that is the best 25/25 shots from the foul line. Youth ages 8-13 advance through local contests (starting with preliminary contests or a Lodge contest), Districts, States, and Regionals to the National Finals in Chicago. Six National Champions will have their names and photos displayed at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
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.
Parents can contact one of our Georgia Lodges or visit the Elks National website (elks.org) to find a local competition.
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 enshrined at the Hall of Fame.
My Personal Experience: I have worked hoop shoot going on 38 years, and have watched children advance from local competition all the way to becoming national champions. They have all grown, they have all matured. 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 out program, they learn this and so much more to help them in their lives. Many parents have told me how much our program has changed their child for the better. For more information go to elks.org, search hoop shoot and see how we help children develop GRIT.
Lodges
You and your Lodges commitment can make a difference in a child's life and that of your community by actively participating in our youth programs. By teaching our youth to understand the importance of what it means to compete, win or lose, to accept responsibility for their actions and become stronger individuals. Let this be the year that your Lodge reaches out into your community to show them the good work that we as Elks do for our Children.
News from the Court
We had some strong shooters at our Regional Finals in Valdosta. Join me in congratulating all our State Winners. We have one Regional Winner, Griffin Reed from the Dalton Lodge, who will be competing at the National Finals in Chicago on April 26.
Congratulations to all of our state winners.
8-9 Boys; Demetrice Johnson II, Augusta Lodge 4th Place at Regional
8-9 Girls; Griffin Reed, Dalton Lodge 1st Place at Regional
10-11 Boys; Dante Thomas, Augusta Lodge 3rd Place at Regional
10-11 Girls; Kylee Rae Gilliam, Cartersville Lodge 5th Place at Regional
12-13 Boys; Walker Crowder, Eatonton Lodge 4th Place at Regional
12-13 Girls; Emily Green, Dalton Lodge 3rd Place at Regional
Emily was in a 3 way tie for 1st Place.
GEA Hoop Shoot District 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
GEA Hoop Shoot State Director
Vance Rhodes, Dalton Lodge
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 Junior Roberson. (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 Stan Jones.
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)
