Five local residents become the latest members of the Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge. Rick and Christine Atwood and John Joseph MacPherson of Mission Viejo were initiated into the Order as were Jack Songer of Trabuco Canyon and Heather Paige of Laguna Niguel. Rick and Christine Atwood joined the increasing number of husband and wife couples who have become Elks members.
The popular sentiment expressed by many new Elks couples is that they wanted to give back to the community by engaging in some type of charitable work, and they hoped to be able to do it together. They have found a perfect fit with the Elks because both men and women are able to work together in all Elks charity projects.
Seated L to R: Heather Paige, Exalted Ruler Mike Long, and Christina Atwood
Standing: John Joseph MacPherson, Jack Songer, and Rick Atwood
In other Lodge news, The Elks National Foundation (ENF) recently announced the donation standings of Lodges throughout the nation. The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Lodge ranked second in ENF donations among the 171 Lodges in California and Hawaii.
The mission of the ENF is to help Elks build stronger communities. The Elks fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work. The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Lodge helps youth develop lifelong skills, sends students to college, meets the needs of today’s veterans, supports the charitable work of the state Elks association, and funds projects that improve the quality of life in the Saddleback Valley community. Since inception, the ENF has contributed $455.4 million toward Elks charitable projects nationwide. This year, the ENF allocated $9.77 million to fund the Community Investments Program investing in Elks communities through grants for Elks Lodges.
The ENF is able to help Elks build stronger communities thanks to generous contributions from donors. Since inception, the Fund has received more than $251.6 million in contributions and bequests.
Today it boasts more than 100,000 active donors and an endowment fund valued at $622.9 million. Thanks to the wise planning and investing by ENF Fund managers, Lodge’s contributions to the fund today are returned to Lodges by the ENF in amounts almost double of what is contributed. The funds in the form of grants are used specifically for community charities.
Andy Costello
Elks Grand Lodge Area 7
Public Relations & Marketing Committeeman
