The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks welcomed ten new members from the Saddleback Valley Community. Mission Viejo residents John Croker, Ed & Ann Marie Dryden, Monique Goetz, Brad Thompson, and Alan Virdinis, Lake Forest residents Joseph Ryan, and David Pietarila. Also joining the Elks Evans Givins of Laguna Woods, and Andrea Pham of Aliso Viejo.
Members learned that the Lodge had received an award from Grand Lodge National Headquarters in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Elks National Foundation (ENF) which is the national charity arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
The local Lodge donated $130,000 to the ENF this past year. Those funds, along with funds raised by the other Lodges in the nation are returned to the communities in the form of Scholarships, Veterans Programs, Youth Activities and the many community projects sponsored by local Elks Lodges throughout the nation.
Seated L to R: John Croker, Monique Goetz, Exalted Ruler Mike Klinger, Andrea Pham, and Ann Marie Dryden. Standing L to R: Ed Dryden, Alan Virdinis, Brad Thompsom, Evans Givens, Dave Pietarila, and Joseph Ryan
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 Credit: Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
