The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks hosted a breakfast for visiting Elks Association President Bob Duitsman and First Lady Beth. Accompanying the President on this informal visit was an entourage of Association Vice Presidents who represented many of the Elks Districts in California. The local Lodge officers and committee chair people led by Exalted Ruler (Lodge President) Mike Klinger were on hand to greet the honored guests and welcome them to the Saddleback Valley community.
The Association President’s home Lodge is the Culver City Lodge #1917. As Association President, he begins a year of visitations to the nineteen Districts that make up the California, Hawaii Association. His motto for the year is “Honoring the Past – Embracing the Future” The Association President’s mission is to unite all Elks in closer bonds of fraternity; to further good fellowship among the members of the Lodges; to protect and promote the interests of the Order in the States of California and Hawaii; to exchange ideas beneficial to Elks Lodges within those States; to expand and promote the programs of the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks dedicated to advancing the cause of charity toward all mankind; to encourage patriotism and devotion to the United States of America; and to bear true allegiance to the Constitution and Laws of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the United States of America.
President Duitsman and Lodge member Andy Costello GL Committeeman
Lodge Exalted Ruler Klinger spoke for the members assembled saying what an honor it was to have been chosen for a visit by the President. “With 168 Lodges in the California, Hawaii Association, we know you can’t visit all of them and we are so happy to have you and Beth with us.” The President toured the Lodge facility and thanked the kitchen crew for the fabulous breakfast buffet. Cooks were Elks John Feitz, Kevin Lindley, Greg Morgan, and Dennis Boelts with Julie Thomas serving.
California, Hawaii, Elks Association President Bob Duitsman
President Duitsman addressed the members of the Lodge praising them for their outstanding contributions to charitable activities in the Saddleback Valley community and for their donations to the California, Hawaii Major Project for Handicapped Children. Following breakfast, the Elks President and his team left for a full day of Southern California sightseeing which included a visit to the Nixon Museum. The day was capped off with a gala reception and dinner at the Garden Grove Elks Lodge.
The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating 49 years of service to Saddleback Valley Communities. It is one of 8 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 150-year history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share” For information regarding Elks programs or membership, call 949 830-3557.
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
