The Elks of Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Lodge #2444 hosted their annual Summer Sock Hop for Special Needs Kids last Saturday.
The MVSV Elks Lodge Room was filled with nearly 200 excited Special Needs Kids, their wonderful caretakers, and many capable Elks volunteers. The Elks may call them “Special Needs Kids” but among their ranks are men and women from sixteen to sixty, and some with mobility problems. All of these “Kids” like any kids, are capable of feeling great sadness or great joy.
On this day, the Elks host these “Kids” as respected guests and family, with the aspirations for joyful experiences with fun, food, music and dancing.
Live music and vocals by the musical group Hi Hopes filled the interior of the MVSV Elks Lodge. Among Hi Hopes members are persons with Down Syndrome, Autism, Williams Syndrome, Fragile X, PKU, and other intellectual disabilities. All members of the group are extremely gifted, and many are considered musical savants, who, despite their (sometimes multiple) disabilities, have talents that approach a “genius” level and often exceed that of professional artists. They are world renowned and have performed on national TV. For more information regarding this group please follow this link http://hope4arts.org/hi-hopes_2016/
Event Chairmen Les and Maggie Stipek warmly greeted each attendee, created a cheerful atmosphere and led 36 enthusiastic Elks volunteers. Elks Laura Lumley, Mary Anne Alvarez, and Sandy Bergen were among the kitchen crew frying chicken fingers and crisscut fries. Elks Kitchen Manager Pam Mackey spent several hours the previous day making over 500 sugar-free cookies for this event. Pam smiled and called her work a “labor of love for her children”. Elks PER Charles T Hart and Hilda Hanna were among the many servers delivering the tasty meals and treats. Elks Sandy and Jack Jacobs made pitcher after pitcher of sugar-free lemonade and filled and re-filled cups for every attendee. Several Elks, including Gail Patti and Sandie McClure joyously danced with our guests. Thank you to all the Elks volunteers that helped make this the joyous event for which the Mission Viejo Elks are known.
Marky Espenschied was one of the special guests enjoying the fun and music at the at the Sock Hop. Marky’s Mom and Dad, Susan and Mark Espenschied, shared a table with their son and another family at the event. Mrs. Espenschied beamed as Marky showed his excitement then shared that he will be attending high school in the coming school year. She reluctantly mentioned it was likely time for her to start calling her son “Mark”, with his entry into high school right around the corner. Mrs. Espenschied thanked the Elks for hosting this event and Elks thanked her and her family for joining us at this year’s Summer Sock Hop.
Special Kids caretaker Reyna Reglos spoke about her loving feelings for the special kids under her charge. She spends three days each week buying food and distributing to 10 local Mission Viejo homes for more 60+ people with special needs. When she takes her special people to public outings Ms. Reglos sometimes sees people stare and would like to let the public know this behavior sometimes leaves these “kids” with hurt feelings She said. “I feel protective of my kids.” Eleanor Del Rosario, the owner of three Mission Viejo assisted living homes, and a registered nurse, personally evaluates the best environment for each home member. Ms. Reglos said Ms. Del Rosario “takes in both Level 2 (full-functioning) and ICF (assistance needed) persons” and does her best to create the best personal situation for everyone. You may contact Ms. Del Rosario at 949-283-5695 if you wish to discuss placement of a special needs person into her care.
The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is located at 25092 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA. The MV Elks encourage community members to join the Elks and work together to improve our community. If you are interested, please contact the MV Elks office at (949) 830-3557. You may also read more about the MV Elks at their award winning website, http://mvelks.com. The MV Elks are honored and proud to host four Special Needs Kids events per year. The Special Kids Summer Sock Hop is held on the second Saturday in July and the Special Kids Christmas Party s held on the second Saturday in December. Two additional events for special needs teens are held throughout the year. MV Elks are a chartered Elks Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. For more information about the B.P.O.E. please see website http://elks.org. Elks Care! Elks Share!
Article by Mike Long
