Orange County Foundation for Oncology Children and Families enjoy Elks Carnival
By Mike Long PER
The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 hosted their annual Cancer Kids Carnival for the Orange County Foundation for Oncology Children and Families (OCF-OCF) last Saturday. The OCF-OCF provides support activities, free of charge, to pediatric cancer patients and their families who live or receive treatment in Orange County.
The Elks Volunteers festively transformed their Lodge rooms and backyard into a carnival playground for more than 30 kids and their families. Children’s activities included a puppy petting pound, several carnival toss games with prizes, a duck fishing pond, a dinosaur digging pit, arts and craft tables, and face painting!
Event Co-Chairman Vicky Long speaks with OCF-OCF Counselors Shannon and Dave Schafer
Everyone was treated to lunch, snow cones, cotton candy and rides on a firetruck. Many thanks to Engineer Bruce Bailey of the California Fire Museum (www.cafiremuseum.org) for providing the firetruck and making every rider the envy of the neighborhood.
Getting some love in the Puppy Petting Pound at the Mission Viejo Elks
The Elks are proud to raise funds and present this annual event for these kids and to give them a day full of fun while setting their fears aside. Every child in attendance was given a free shopping experience from gift tables loaded with hundreds of toys and stuffed animals purchased by the Elks especially for them.
An OCF-OCF family enjoys the Elks Cancer Kids Carnival festivities
Many thanks to the many Elks Volunteers that participated in this wonderful community outreach event. Thank you for bringing your smiles and warm hearts into the lives of Orange County families dealing with pediatric cancer. The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating 48 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.
photo credits: Mike Klinger
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
