Zarahemla Oteo Family members with Third from right: Marine Zarahemla Oteo; Second from right: Shari Scott, Elks Lodge Veterans Chairperson
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) members joined the Marine Baby Shower event by the Lake Forest Sun and Sail Club. Eight (8) expectant military moms were treated to lunch and baby shower gifts. The Elks Lodge sponsored active duty Marine expectant mom, Zarahemla Oteo (“Z”) who is expecting a boy.
Seven of the moms at the baby shower are on active duty. The Elks Lodge donated $1,000 to this event and bought baby gifts for Z. Shari Scott, Elks Lodge Veterans Committee chairperson said, “It was such a joy to buy and wrap gifts for Z so she can really enjoy her upcoming blessed event.”
After the shower, Z was finally moved from the Marine barracks into an apartment. She had no furniture or dishes so Shari Scott connected her with the Patriots and Paws organization that located furnishings for the apartment: a bed, sofa, dishes and other household items.
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-two (42) 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 144 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444
