ELKS HONOR MEMBERS FOR YEARS OF SERVICE
This year’s event, which was well attended by Elks members and guests, recognized years of tenure from one (1) to fifty-five (55). Lodge President Camacho Alvarez presided over the meeting. Lodge Secretary Norm Jones acted as master of ceremonies. Over 130 service pins were awarded. Secretary Jones said of the event, “Pins are awarded for five-year increments of service. We affectionately call it ‘Old Timers Night’ and it is always a fun filled get-together for the recipients and attendees. There is always lots of storytelling from the older members about the early history of our Lodge.”
Over one hundred members were awarded five through thirty-year pins. 25 year pins went to Vincent Carnevale, Rod Coloma, and Duane Nielson of Mission Viejo, Howard Sargent of Aliso Viejo, Louis Raymond of Newport Beach, and Mike Marquis of Laguna Niguel. 35 year service pins went to Andy Costello, and Clint Sherrod of Laguna Hills, Ron Begley of Laguna Woods, and Walt Fitchett of Palm Desert. Ron Bauchiero, John Sherburne, Bob Wisniewski of Mission Viejo, and Tim Carney of Henderson NV. Received 40 year pins. Dave Jones of Mission Viejo received a 45 year pin. Celebrating 50 years of membership was Allan Strubb of Mission Viejo. Although not present at the meeting a 55 year pin was awarded to Bob Newcomer of Santa Ana. Those who were not present to receive their pins may pick them up at the Lodge office.
Lodge President Alvarez said of the event, “All the awards are special, but It was an even greater pleasure honoring sixty-nine members with five year awards. Our Lodge now has over one thousand members and we pride ourselves on the increasing numbers of younger men and women who are becoming members. We love to see those young families here enjoying themselves at a Friday night dinner as they are certainly the future of our Elks. Alvarez added, “Nevertheless, I think it is great when we honor our old timers. They are the people who built and made this Elks Lodge the charitable organization it is today.”
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-five (45) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of ten 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 147 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
Andy Costello, Lodge Publicity
