By Andy Costello
Photos: Mike Klinger
Theme Child Aya with her Dad and Mom
Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks enjoyed a busy month as Lodge officers attended the Californian, Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA) Convention in Palm Springs. Elks Lodge President Michael Long and Vice President Michael Klinger led the group of officers and members attending the annual meeting. The installation of the new Association President took place. The 2017-2018 President is Chuck Nolan a member of the San Diego Elks Lodge #168
New California-Hawaii Elks Association President Chuck Nolan & First Lady Ginger. Looking on Westminster Lodge Beef-eater Ed Shull
One of the highlights of the meeting was the introduction of this year’s Association Theme Child Aya who was introduced with her mom and dad to the assemblage. Aya is an adorable five and a half year old who is undergoing treatment by Speech Language Pathologist Jocelyn Agra from the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project. Aya was diagnosed with a severe speech delay. She also has childhood Apraxia of speech, a neurological disorder that cannot be seen by a neurologist or by a brain scan.
Children with childhood Apraxia of speech know what they want to say but when their brains send the message to the motor planning part of the brain, the signal gets mixed up and doesn’t make it to the mouth correctly. Initial therapy was intense and Aya was seen twice a week at the home setting. As she progressed in therapy, her confidence to be open to new experiences became evident. She was smiling more, laughing, singing, and verbalizing. With the generous support of the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Aya is on her way to continuing progress in her speech.
Theme Child Aya
The annual CHEA convention also showcases what is referred to as the Exalted Ruler’s (Lodge Presidents) March. Exalted Rulers representing one hundred seventy-one (171) Lodges in California and Hawaii walk across the stage to present the yearly amount raised by members of their Lodges in support of the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project Inc. (CHEMPI). This unique program funds 32 paid therapists and preschool vision screeners, hired by CHEMPI, to help disabled children when no other organizations can or will. These CHEMPI professional therapists and preschool vision screeners travel, sometimes great distances, to help children get care they need.
The entire amount raised by Elks Lodges goes to fund the dedicated staff of therapists who traveled a total of 141,271 miles this year making 17,400 home visits for treatment to 550 children. 1,106 pre-school visits were also made screening 45,000 children and recommending several thousand for further treatment. All of the Major Project services are provided to children up to age eighteen and are of no cost to the families served. the March concluded, the year’s total contributions from all 171 California-Hawaii Elks Lodges to CHEMPI totaled $3,479,851.77.
Past Association President Lance Erickson announcing total donations of $3,479,851.77
Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Lodge’s Michael Long was among the proud Exalted Ruler presenters. In announcing his Lodge’s donation, Long expressed his thanks to the Lodge members, and to the Lodge Ladies Club, the Bingo Charity committee, and the Lodge Camping Club for this year’s total Lodge donation to the Major Project of $42,033.26. The ten Orange Coast District Elks Lodges of Orange County contributed an impressive total of $260,928.68.
Exalted Ruler Michael Long announcing total of Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Lodge’s Major Project donations
When upon his return to Mission Viejo, Exalted Ruler Long announced the news of the Mission Viejo Lodge’s donation to the members who were gathered at the Lodge’s regular weekly meeting. During the meeting, ten new members were initiated into the growing Lodge.
Mission Viejo residents initiated are: Sharon Scoles, Suzette Dahl, Rachel Ward, Jay Ward, Deborah McLean and Dustin Widner. Other new members initiated are: Timothy Ott of Laguna Woods, Larry Woodruff of Laguna Hills, Grey Nguyen of Aliso Viejo and Steve Lund of Irvine.
New members seated L to R: Sharon Scoles, Suzette Dahl, Exalted Ruler Michael Long, Deborah McLean, and Rachel Ward
Standing L to R: Steve Lund, Gary Nguyen Dustin Widner, Timothy Ott, Larry Woodruff, and Jay Ward
The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating 48 years of service to Saddleback Valley Communities. It is one of 10 lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 149 year history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share” For information regarding Elks programs or membership, call 949 830-3557
Andy Costello
Elks Grand Lodge Area 7
Public Relations & Marketing Committeeman
