Monday May 8th was the first of three visits by the Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks to patients at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital to play Bingo, serve them food and soft drinks, give them lap blankets and toiletries. Ten Elks made the trip to be with the hospitalized Vets, who always appreciate the company and gifts provided by an Elks visit. Dennis Lumley Elks Lodge Veterans Chairman said of the visit, “I don’t know, who enjoys the visit more. We might like it as much as they do.”
Orange Coast District Veterans Committee Chairman Dave Perry with Marine Cpl Joseph Campbell
Elks Orange Coast District Veterans Committee Chairman Dave Perry led the visitation and said one of the patients Marine Cpl Joseph Campbell asked him what he did in the Marines. Perry said “I told him I was a Corpsman and I was startled when this big Marine stood up and gave me a great big hug. He said, ‘Thanks buddy for taking such good care of us guys out there, and here you are at the hospital, still taking care of us.’” Perry went on to say, “That was more thanks than I could ever have expected. It was very humbling.”
Elk volunteer Kathy Andrews, Veteran Carlos Sandoval, and Elk Sandie McClure
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