YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE SMILES
If there was a common denominator at the party, it wasn’t the ages of the guests which ranged from teenagers to seniors. It had to be the smiles on everyone’s face. Over two hundred happy party goers from Saddleback Valley group homes danced the afternoon away at the Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Annual Sock Hop for the Developmentally Challenged. Even the wheel chairs didn’t deter some who were danced around the floor by caring Elks hosts. The Elks served lunch and the wonderful musical group High Hopes furnished the entertainment. Saturday’s event was a resounding success. The Elks Lodge was filled with wall to wall smiles on this sunny July afternoon.
Chairman Elks Loyal Knight Gloria LeCouvre said of the event, “It takes dozens of helpers to put on a party like this. Not only do we have 200 guests to feed and entertain, but we must be mindful of the individual needs of these special people. There are some in wheel chairs and some with walkers. All are eager to have a good time and be part of the festivities. It calls for a great deal of vigilance on the part of the Elks who are present.” LeCouvre added, “When the day is ended, we have a bunch of very tired Elks, but they all have smiles on their faces. They have the satisfaction of knowing they did something that has brought so much happiness to so many people.”
Among the helpers were: Ron Bauchiero and Dave Dare, Jim & Carol Glover, Irene Romero, Gillian, and O’Reilly Barbara Martino and Sandie McClure, Charlie Hart, Ray Mallen, Paul O’Brian, Alan Jones, Sandra and Jack Jacobs, Courtney Ekberg, Joan Presley, Gail Reavis, Diana Sargent, Jack Gordon, Dinah Grosch, Leslie Haller, Dennis Lumley. Funding for the event was provided by the Elks Bingo Committee.
In other Elks news, annual national figures for the Elks Fraternal year ending March 31, 2009 were released by Elks National Headquarters in Chicago. Cash contributions to charity were $53,331,023.00 – Non cash $33,370,620 – Hours worked 172,786,790 (The Federal government has determined that the cost of work done by charitable organizations like the Elks would average out to $20.25 per hour if preformed by social care and government agencies) – Miles traveled 14,023,748 (Mileage computed at $.59 per mile) The total Contributions for the year came to $273,512,183. The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Lodge is proud of the part they played in that great charitable effort.
Coming events at the Mission Viejo Lodge – The public is invited to support the Red Cross Blood Drive to be held at the Elks Lodge on Aug. 20 from 2:00PM to 8:00PM. On Aug 22nd Elks and their guests are invited to attend the Annual Western Hoedown Dinner Dance. For ticket information call: 949 830-ELKS.
