Cyndy Leininger, the IEA’s Lady of the Year for 2016-17, is the personification of the Elks’ principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity, Past District Deputy Bill Adams Jr. of Bloomington Lodge said in nominating Leininger for the honor.

“Cyndy has supported our charitable activities with her time and efforts (and her fair share of 50/50 tickets). Her watchful eye over the lodge helps ensure we meet our obligation to justice,” Adams said.

“Her warm greetings extend brotherly love to all who walk through the lodge door.

“And finally, fidelity, her faithful service to our lodge and her support of (husband) Jerry and the other officers is unquestionable.”

For 30 years, Adams said, Leininger has spent countless hours working supporting all Bloomington Lodge’s Elks programs and spreading the good deeds of Elkdom in the community.

Leininger has supported husband Jerry for 30 years of their 47-year marriage, during which Jerry has been exalted ruler eight times and chairman of every lodge committee.

“During this time, Cyndy has typed many reports for Jerry and all the committees he has served on,” Adams said. “She has typed meeting minutes, veterans reports, monthly activity reports, monthly (lodge newsletter) articles and information for our scholarships programs. She helps carry the flag in parades, pass out Drug Awareness material and talks about the many good deeds that our Elks lodge does for our community.”

Leininger also helps organize all of Bloomington Lodge’s chili cook-offs.

“She puts in many long days helping load and unload tables, helping set up, clean up and getting everything back to the lodge where she continued to help by cleaning and getting everything ready for the next business day,” Adams said. “Cyndy worked at all the air shows by helping set up the booth, sell food and passing out Elks information to the public.”

At weekly bingo night and other social gatherings at the lodge, Leininger is a familiar face.

“Every week she helped at bingo doing any of the many things that take place,” Adams said. “During evenings when we were short-handed, Cyndy volunteered as a waitress, making sure all our members and guests were being served and enjoying a pleasant evening at the Elks.”

She helps in the kitchen washing dishes and taking out the trash. She helps serve dinners, vacuum the floors and clean tables. Every Tuesday, she is at the lodge helping with its chicken dinner, and at Saturday Burger Day.

Adams said Leininger stripped wallpaper, painted and helped clean Bloomington Lodge’s new facility.

“She helped put together our 100-year anniversary party as well at our first-year anniversary party at our new lodge,” he said. “Cyndy helps with all our holiday activities. She makes sure the lodge is decorated for the Christmas season. She has worked with the Easter Bunny, put together food baskets, collected coats and helped with the SOS program for our veterans.”

Leininger is also a great help with setting up the district hospitality room at state meetings

“She is there for setup and teardown, and loads and unloads everything we need for the district hospitality room,” Adams said. “She helps prepare the food and makes sure the food tables are always ready for our members.”

As first lady of Bloomington Lodge – and now of the IEA – Leininger can be found at the lodge and in the community serving Elkdom.

“She does an outstanding job making new members and their spouses feel welcome to our activities,” Adams said. “She is an excellent ambassador for our lodge” and, indeed, the IEA.