Members of the Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks visited the South County Outreach Distribution Center in Irvine this week. The members represented the Elks Run-A-Ways Camping Club and the Lodge’s Bingo Charity Committee. The visitors presented a gift bag with sixty-three (63) $25 department store gift certificates to be included in the family holiday offerings given by Outreach to local families. The Elks Run-A-Ways have made the gifts an annual donation to SC Outreach instead of a holiday gift exchange between club members. This year’s donation was generously matched by the Elks Bingo Charity Committee.
Outreach President & CEO Lara Fisher welcomed the Elks, thanking them for their donation. President Fisher said, “As in the past, we will ask families receiving holiday food baskets if there are teenagers at home and if so, a gift certificate from the Elks will be added. We see lots of gifts for the babies and small children at this time of year, but the teenagers often seem to be missed. The $25 gift card will give the teenager an opportunity to buy a small gift for themselves or for another family member or friend.”
For the past 29 years, South County Outreach (originally Saddleback Community Outreach), has been a leader in the fight to end hunger and homelessness in Orange County. Through the implementation of programs like their Transitional Housing Program, which puts a roof over the heads of 17 households every year, and their Food Pantry, which distributes over 800,000 lbs of food and keeps nearly 2,500 children fed each year, Outreach is helping people help themselves. That is believed to be the most effective way to build a self-sustaining community.
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 in the Elks, call 949 830-3557.
Photo Credit: Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444
L to R: South County Outreach Director of Operations Renee Stevenson, Run-A-Ways Campers Club Assistant Wagon Master Jim Wessling, Outreach President & CEO Lara Fisher, Run-A-Ways Treasurer Ken Eiler, and Wagonmaster Bob Hauxhurst, and Andy Costello representing the Elks Bingo Charity Committee
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
