Elks Partner with School District
By Jamie Camunas
This week ground was broken for the Capistrano Restorative Gardens and Learning Center. The plans are to transform the land that is currently vacant and ineffectual into a Garden that the Adult Transition Program (ATP) for Capistrano Unified School District can utilize within many of their programs. Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge member Greg Morgan, whose son is in the program, spearheaded the project. When Morgan heard of the plans and their needs, the Elks immediately approached ATP to help in any way that they could. That help was gratefully accepted, and a partnership has been formed. Financially, the Elks have started the Garden off with a donation. Harvey Boelts, the Elks Bingo Charity Chairman, presented ATP Principal, Clint Collins, with a check for $10,000.
ATP Students & Teachers Join Harvey Boelts & Jamie Camunas of MVSV Elks to celebrate Garden Groundbreaking
The Elks did not waste any time getting started once the ground was broken with Elks Greg Morgan and Louis Hernandez starting to build the composting area. Dave McLeod was able to fix a tiller that they will be able to use in the future. Once the decomposed granite comes in they will be out in full force to begin the transformation. When complete ATP will be able to use the Garden for vocational horticultural and agricultural classes, even holding classes in the Gardens themselves. The cooking vocational classes will then have fresh, organic produce to use from the harvest of the Gardens. Any of the crops yields that are not needed at the school will then be delivered to a local food pantry by the Elks. Stay tuned as we follow the progress of the Gardens.
Elks Harvey Boelts and Jamie Camunas present $10,000 check to ATP teachers
Elk Louis Hernandez starting construction of the composting area
Breaking ground School Principal Clint Collins, teachers Michele Lavering, DeeAnn Hindman & Elks Harvey Boelts
The Adult Transition Program are classes that help the special needs children of the Capistrano Unified School District. Once these children have graduated high school they are able to attend real-world vocational classes that will help transition them into productive adults able to contribute to their families as well as feel the satisfaction of their contributions. The Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge are a part of the premier charitable fraternal organization in the United States, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. They have been giving back to our community, active military and veterans for 48 years and look forward to continuing to do so, with the help of their members, well into the future.
Submitted By:
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
