MISSION VIEJO, SADDLEBACK VALLEY ELKS HOLD CARNIVAL
Elroy the Elk made an appearance and helped the Elks members make their Special Needs Children’s Carnival a big success. Over thirty (30) boys and girls along with their parents and grandparents attended. The special needs children were from Cordillera, Melinda Heights, Montevideo and Valencia Elementary Schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The youngsters frolicked in the Elks Lodge rooms and garden which were all colorfully decorated with an assortment of game booths, food stations, balloons, a duck pond, and puppy petting zoo. Face painters, clowns, live cartoon characters, including Elroy the Elk and Elmo made sure that every child had a happy afternoon.
Chairing the carnival were Elks Les and Maggie Stipek. Les said of the event, “We hold two very successful events for older special needs children and adults each year. This was the first similar event for younger special needs children, and we hope to make it an annual event.” Funding came from the Lodge Charity Committee and an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Beacon Grant. ENF Chairman past Elks Lodge president Derek Randles said, “The Elks National Foundation’s Community Investments Program spends $9.77 million annually to invest in Elks communities through Lodge grants that help Elks meet local needs.”
Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating 45 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 147 year history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share”
Youth Appreciation Night
May 1st through the 7th was Elks national youth week. On Tuesday May 5th, Mission Viejo Elks Lodge hosted an open meeting to honor our youth achievers. The attendees included; essay competition winners, Girl Scouts gold award winners, hoop shoot champions and ENF scholarship recipients. PER Pat Martino kept the audience entertained with his humor, while serving as the master of ceremonies. The proclamation was delivered by our very own Elk member and Mayor Pro Tem, Greg Raths to an audience of 90 parents, students and Elk members. Cheeseburgers, hot dogs and cake were served free of charge for all those that attended. Special thanks to all of the Elk volunteers that helped organize and execute this event.
Greg T. Morgan
Esteemed Loyal Knight
ELKS RAISE FUNDS TO HELP DISABLED YOUNGSTERS
More than $3,251,000.00 has been contributed this year by members of Elks Lodges throughout California and Hawaii to be used in treating children with disabilities. Camacho Alvarez, Exalted Ruler of Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, contributed $19,191.15 which was raised by the members of the Lodge. “We are pleased and proud that members of our local Elks Lodge were so generous with their dollars and time in this important undertaking,” Alvarez said. Since 1950, the 84,000 members from throughout California and Hawaii have turned over more than $103,400,000 to the California-Hawaii
Elks Major Project, Inc., which administers the non-profit charitable corporation. All of the funds are devoted solely to providing vision screening and therapy treatment to children with a broad range of disabilities. Without the Elks supported donations, many of these children would not receive such treatment. The year-long fund raising campaign is capped by an impressive ceremony at the annual Elks Convention when representatives of lodges from throughout California and Hawaii present their donations to Major Project and Elks Association leaders. The raising of funds to aid children with disabilities is just one of the many philanthropic and patriotic projects which mark the Elks’ contribution to our community.
A DAY ON THE LAKE WITH OUR TROOPS
Lake Mission Viejo, Saturday, April 25th 2015: Over 800 Marines and family members from Camp Pendleton, Headquarters, 1st Marine Division attended the annual Lake Day, sponsored by the city of Mission Viejo’s Marine and Sailor Adoption Committee, Elks Lodge # 2444, and V.F.W. Post 6024. Family members were treated to an “All You Can Eat” Lunch, consisting of Burgers, Hot Dogs, Italian Sausage with all the fixins. All children in attendance received a toy and a flying Disc. All expenses were waived for the days event, including boat rentals. A good time was had by all. Elks Veterans Services chairman David Perry said of the event, “It’s always great to share a fun experience like this with our fighting forces of Freedom.” Elks in attendance were Dennis Lumley, Kathy Andrews, Veterans Chairman David Perry, Katy Link and Andy Dumont.
The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks welcomed seventeen (17) new members in April. Mission Viejo residents are: STEVE SHORT, DAWNA OLSEN, STEVE TUBBS, JUSTIN GABLE, NANCY SUTORIUS, JESSIE CASTRO, LARRY HARDING, and SATYRAH JOHNSON. Rancho Santa Margarita residents are: JUDY KLINGER, TOM ECKER, and DAN STEPHENS. Lake Forest residents are: DAVID FULBRIGHT, JO ANN SNYDER, and SAL RUIZ. Laguna Niguel residents are: HARRY WATSON, and HELYN MOULTON. San Juan Resident JAMES VERBEERST also became a member. Exalted Ruler Camacho Alvarez presided over the initiation ceremony.
Alvarez complemented the group of young new members asking that they pledge to become active in the many charitable activities of the Lodge. Paying a visit to the Lodge initiation meeting were Mission Hospital Auxiliary Vice President Irene Dressler and Ways & Means Chairperson Ginny Moon. The two Mission Hospital representatives were there to thank the Elks Lodge members for their generous donation of $10,000. The donation is earmarked for the Hospital’s Neurological Science Spinal Institute. The funds were raised by the Elks Charity and Bingo Committees under the supervision of Lodge Charities Committee Chairman and District Deputy Designate Harvey Boelts.
Elks participate in Vets training program
The Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 spent a week with Veterans who are attending a transitional program called “Power Up” sponsored by Working Wardrobes/VetNet in Costa Mesa CA. The Elks are sponsoring lunch for the group each day this week as a small way to thank these Veterans for their service. Each of these Veterans is out of work and this program through VetNet is free to the Veterans and is designed to help Veterans transition from Military to Civilian life.
The program includes speakers each day whom are also mostly Veterans who had many of the same issues migrating to civilian jobs. The program enhances job interview skills, has resume workshops, and also is a starting point to other training offered by VetNet. The Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge Charity Committee is funded by it’s weekly Bingo Game which is open to the Public. Thanks to the support of the local community through bingo play, The Lodge is able to offer services to those in need.
Past Elks Lodge President Derek Randles attended the graduation ceremony where more than 100 men and women graduated through the 6 weeks of the Working Wardrobes career training program. VetNet Veteran graduates Lee and Anthony were taking part in the graduation day ceremony which included services provided by hair stylists, several masseuse therapists, and a shopping spree of dress to impress clothing. Each graduate was given a suit bag full of items needed to impress for their upcoming interviews. The Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge recently partnered with VetNet at the Orange County Stand Down which helps homeless Veterans obtain the services they deserve. The Elks Lodge received a $2000.00 Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation which they used to build more than 200 backpacks with toiletries and other health related items.
Huge Crowd “Hops In” for Elks Easter Brunch
“Zero to six years old, when I say go, run to find all the Easter Eggs that are hidden”, shouted House Committee Chairman Karen Barbagus as the Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks presented their Easter Brunch and Kids Easter Egg Hunt under beautiful blue skies April 5th. The lodge opened at 9am to begin serving brunch, but some of the 186 members and guests could not wait for the omelet pans to strike-up and the waffle irons to get hot. Kitchen Manager, Pam Mackey, had the kitchen team of Mike Fenton, Lodge Lecturing Knight Mike Long, Dennis Boeltz and John Feitz hitting on all eight cylinders as the wonderful smells of brunch began to fill the air Sunday.
It all started early Saturday morning, as Pam’s husband Ed Mackey prepped the gravy for the biscuits and past Lodge President Pat Martino seasoned and prepared his very popular lamb for Sunday serving. Decorating Team of Lodge Chaplain Dave Tucker and his wife Cheryl, Vicky Long, Event Chairman and Lodge Esquire, Mike Klinger and his wife, Judy, and Pam Mackey all spent their Saturday morning wrapping silverware with pastel napkins, tied with flowered pipe cleaners handmade by Pam’s daughter. Saturday finished on a high note as the Lodge officers positioned all the tables in the hall and centerpiece flowers were delivered by Klinger’s brother Scott Klinger. Then Decorating Team made the final touches on 27 beautifully prepared tables for the guests with Easter grass and candied eggs.
As Sunday morning progressed, the main hall and Birdroom filled to capacity with hungry guests. They dined on Martino’s seasoned lamb, waffles prepared by John Feitz, Eggs Benedict cooked to perfection by Lorene Tierney and past District Deputy Norm Jones, hand crafted omelets served by Tom Banning and Lodge Inner Guard Kevin Hughes and made-to-order pasta dishes by Dennis Boeltz. On the serving line, guests were greeted by Howard Sergeant carving the lamb and cured ham, Lodge Tiler, Diana Wilson, Julie Thomas, Paul Miller and Sidney Scott.
All guests were greeted with friendly smiles of Gail Pattie as they entered the Lodge, cashier Sheryl Pierce and Rosemary Miller who helped with plates. Guests were invited to win a beautiful flower centerpiece in a raffle along with an Easter basket filled with goodies donated by Pam Mackey. And finally at 11am sharp, the Kids Easter Egg Hunt got underway with over 1,000 eggs filled with candy and prizes were snatched-up by all the eager kids. Karen’s team made the egg hunt memorable for kids of ages.
The event raised almost $1000 for Elks Charities. Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating 45 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 147 year history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share”
Mike Klinger
Event Chairman and Lodge Esquire
Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks welcomed twelve new members in March
Newly elected Lodge President (ER) Camacho Alvarez presided over the initiation ceremony. New Elks from Mission Viejo are: Judith Ferazzi, Donald forsyth, Howard Letzkus, Rodney Wilbert, and Stephanie Olson. Residing in Laguna Hills John Autry, from Irvine Munni Krishnan, from Seal Beach Denise Kroll, and from Lake Forest Michael Post and Ray Vanderpool.
In other Elks news, Lodge Officers are scheduled to attend this year’s California, Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA) Convention on May 6th which will be held in San Diego. The four day business meeting will consist of annual committee reports seminars and workshops, all designed to prepare the leaders of one hundred seventy-two Elks Lodges in California and Hawaii for the coming year. Attending the meeting will be Elks National President John Amen who will give the keynote address. President Amen’s motto for the year is “Elks Elevating America.” He is expected to welcome the new CHEA Lodge officers and encourage them to go about the business of meeting the challenges of leading and operating their Lodges and engaging in visible Elks volunteerism in the community.
Alvarez pledges to make his year a fun year!
– One hundred fifty Elks members, families and guests recently celebrated Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) installation of Officers. Outgoing Exalted Ruler Derek Randles expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the members for a very successful year. He praised his Corps of Officers and Committee workers for the numerous charitable accomplishments of the past twelve months and for surpassing his membership goal of one-thousand men and women members. Randles also offered his congratulations to the incoming Corps of Officers, pledging his support and wishing them success in the coming year.
The new officers will be serving the Lodge for a term of one year starting April 1, 2015. They are: Exalted Ruler (Lodge president) Camacho Alvarez of Mission Viejo, Vice Presidents: Leading Knight David LcLeod of Mission Viejo, Loyal Knight, Greg Morgan of Rancho Santa Margarita, and Lecturing Knight Mike Long of Dove Canyon. Also installed were Secretary, Past District Deputy Norm Jones of Lake Forest, Esquire Mike Klinger of Rancho Santa Margarita, Trustee PER Pat Martino of Mission Viejo, Treasurer William (Bill) Bongartz of Lake Forest, Chaplain Dave Tucker of Mission Viejo, Tiler Diana Wilson of Aliso Viejo, Inner Guard Kevin Hughes and Organist Andy Costello of Laguna Hills.
In his acceptance speech, newly elected Exalted Ruler Camacho Alvarez said that his motto for the year will be, “Elkdom…Just Do It” Alvarez also pledged to make his year a fun year while strictly adhering to the laws of the order. He highlighted the importance of the Lodge’s continued involvement in charitable works within the community. 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
2015-16 CHEA Public Relations Chairman
