Mortgage Burning Ceremony (l to r): Past Exalted Rulers unless noted otherwise): Charlie Hart, Irene Romero, Jim Humphrey, Norm Jones, Hal Mattson, Pat Martino (Exalted Ruler), Bill James, Newt Seal, Mike Holohan, Bob Lionetti Jr. and Bob Lionetti Sr.
Members Enjoy 40th Anniversary Barbeque
Dedication of Elk Statue (l to r): Ed Repic (District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Orange Coast District), Pat Martino (Exalted Ruler), Elk Statue Committee; Dennis Lumley, Laura Lumley and Bill Bongartz (Stephanie Bongartz not in photo)
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 (“Lodge”) celebrated three significant milestones on September 19, 2010: 40th anniversary, building mortgage (burning) and dedication of the recently installed Elk statue. The triple celebration was attended by over 200 people including: Lodge officers, ten (10) Past Exalted Rulers, Orange Coast District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler and their respective families.
An annual barbeque sponsored by the Lodge’s Past Exalted Rulers celebrated forty years of serving the communities in the Saddleback Valley: Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita. Preceding the barbeque were ceremonies for the mortgage burning and the Elk Statue dedication.
Exalted Ruler Pat Martino said, “The Elks Lodge is pleased to have had such a positive impact on the Saddleback Valley communities we serve. Our programs have provided significant value to special kids, youth (academic and sports), boy and girl scouts, military personnel, families with medical emergencies, seniors, law enforcement and firefighters. Over the past forty (40) years, the four fully trained police dogs provided to local law enforcement, dictionaries to third graders, scholarships to our youth and other resources have helped improve the lives of members of our communities. We re-dedicate ourselves to continue to be a major force for positive change in the Saddleback Valley.”
Pat Martino continued, “The celebrations dedicating our recently installed Elk statue and the burning of the mortgage will be remembered as significant milestones of this Lodge. Sadly, only eighteen days ago one of the founding members of this Lodge, Bob Rusie, passed away. He was an Elk member for over 53 years, started two Lodges (Norwalk was his first one), was a former Secretary of this Elks Lodge and major force behind the Lodge’s construction.”
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge #2444 celebrating forty (40) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities is one of ten 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 142 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
