CARNIVAL TIME AT THE RESCUE MISSION – Elk volunteers showed up with five trucks with carnival games and prizes for the fun event

Elk volunteers loaded five trucks with carnival games and prizes including toys, clothing and food; all donated by the local Elks Lodge members and the Elks Charity Committee. At the Mission, the thirty-four Elk men and women with the help of three Elks youth volunteers went to work. The Mission’s beautiful courtyard was soon transformed into a festive carnival-midway complete with colorful booths, awnings, games, and prizes for everyone.

Event Chairman Elks Exalted Ruler Derek Randles, Rescue Mission Manager of Events and Volunteer Resources Kayleigh Roenicke, and Elk Stephanie Bongartz

Grownups and kids alike munched on cotton-candy, snacks, and snow cones while they tried their luck at the games and picked through boxes and boxes of new clothing, gifts and prizes. Everyone was a winner. The Elks Lodge also furnished a bounce house and a petting zoo to the delight of the youngsters. The face-painters, tattoos, and crafts booths were popular with the adults as well as the children.

One young woman stopped at a ball-toss booth to tell the Elks Lodge volunteers how thankful she was for the six brand new shirts she got for her three young daughters, tearfully saying they were the girls’ first shirts that were new and not hand-me-downs. In spite of the sometimes heartbreaking stories and circumstances that brought these appreciative residents to the Mission’s shelter, this day was all about fun and celebration.

Mother and daughter sporting new mustaches

All were thankful for the opportunity given them by the Mission to start a new life, a new beginning. Elks Lodge volunteer Stephanie Bongartz said “Just when you think you are doing something good for someone else, you realize you are getting back so much more than you are giving. These wonderful people are so grateful; they make you feel proud to bring a little joy into their lives.” At lunch time, the Elks Lodge volunteers staffed the Mission’s kitchen and buffet line, serving hot/chili dogs, potato-salad, chips, sodas and fresh fruit salad.

Resident Face painters at work

The project was organized by Elks Lodge President Derek Randles who said of the event, “What a wonderful group of appreciative people we had the pleasure of serving. You could see the enjoyment in the faces of the children and the parents, and we truly feel honored we were able to brighten their day. Elks really do care, Elks really do share.” Prizes and gift merchandise for the carnival were donated by Elks Lodge members Stephanie & Bill Bongartz of Bongo Ink Advertising Supply & Service of Lake Forest. Major funding for the event was provided by a Community Impact grant received by the Elks Lodge from the Elks National Foundation (ENF).

The ENF is the Elks national charity fund which in addition to providing grants for local community projects, also sponsors programs such as the Elks Scholarships, Veterans benefits, Handicapped Children projects and funding for many more local and national charities. Since its inception in 1928, the ENF has contributed more than four hundred million dollars to Elks charitable projects.

The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-four (44) 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 146 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.” For information on Elks charities call (949) 830-3557. For more information on the Orange County Rescue Mission call: (714) 247-4300 or Toll-Free: (800) 663-3074 or go to: http://www.rescuemission.org/

Andy Costello, Lodge Publicity
Rescue Mission residents photos used with permission and names withheld. 

“KEEP COMMUNICATING”

Andy Costello

2014-15 CHEA Public Relations Chairman

Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Lodge #2444