Thirteen new members were initiated into the Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks in July.
Mission Viejo residents initiated are Tenisha Campanile, Darrel Short, Glenn Vitek, Stuart Urguhart, Rob Sullivan, and Patrick Gerken. Laguna Niguel residents are Robert Whitehead and Justin Rote. Other new members are Justin Knox of Rancho Mission Viejo, Philip Larson of San Clemente, Herbie Weston of Ladera Ranch, Vivian Allsopp of Rancho Santa Margarita, and James Hammond of Lynwood WA. Exalted Ruler Mike Klinger and his corps of officers conducted the impressive and time-honored ritual of initiation. New members were in agreement that the reason for joining the Elks was a desire to give back to the community, and pledged to do their best to devote as much time as they had available to engage in that noble work.
New Members seated L to R: Daniel Short, Justin Rote, Vivian Allsopp, Exalted Ruler Mike Klinger, Tanisha Campanile, Patrick Gerken, and Rob Sullivan.
Standing L to R: Philip Larson, Robert Whitehead, Glenn Vitek, Stuart Urguhart, Justin Knox, John Hammond, and Herbie Weston
July was a busy month for the local Elks Lodge Charity Committee. Over $13,000 in contributions were made to schools and community organizations in need of financial help. According to Bingo Charity Committee chairman Harvey Boelts, major gifts were made to the Capistrano Unified School District’s football program, the Capistrano Unified School District’s Adult Transition Program designed to meet the special education needs of post-secondary students between the ages of 18 and 22. Other donations were made to The Saddleback Valley School District’s Esperanza Educational Center receiving funding for special needs students and their “Blankets for the Brave” project. Another local community organization “Sun & Sail Club” received a donation for their worthy project “Baby Showers for Marine Wives.” Chairman Boelts said, “We don’t usually publicize all the donations we make, but these are just a few of the many made every week of the month. There are so many individuals and charities that need our help, and it is only through the contributions and support of our members and the people of the community who participate in our charity bingo program that we are able to give back so much to the community.”
Elk of the Month Debby Lamb receiving her award plaque from Exalted Ruler Mike Klinger
In other Elks news, Debby Lamb was named Elk of the Month for July. Debby has been an Elk for six (6) years and manages the Lodge rentals, volunteers for the Elks Wed night Bingo, and manages the Lodge’s Red Cross Blood Drives. The Elk of the month is a special Elks Lodge honor bestowed by the three Lodge Knights (Vice Presidents) to a member who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the Lodge and its charitable mission.
Submitted By:
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
