Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks welcomed eighteen new members in November. Mission Viejo residents Brian Babcock, Dan O’Connor, Deborah Oestmann, Gregg Hammork, Lauren Perry, and Mary Darr were initiated into the Order. Laguna Niguel new Elks are Clayton Campbell, John Reed, and Robert Fox. Dana Point residents are David and Kathy Archard, Paul and Jennifer Pointer, and Jennifer Kneeland. Cornelius Ashton of Irvine, John VanSky of Trabuco Canyon, and Joseph Torres of Rancho Santa Margarita also were initiated.
Exalted Ruler Mike Klinger and his corps of officers conducted the time-honored ritual of initiation. New Elks all pledged to support the charitable programs of the Elks. Many stating that they had researched a number of local service organizations and decided that the Elks was the best choice for accomplishing their goals of giving back to the community.
The Elks National President, Michael T. Luhr
Local Elks Lodges from every state, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Panama Canal Zone will be busy helping our communities this holiday season. Thousands of needy families will receive food baskets and presents. The Elks National President, Michael T. Luhr motto is “Working Together to Make A Difference”.
Elk volunteers will visit thousands of hospitalized Veterans that have protected our freedoms. The Elks vow “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” The Elks support both active military forces and retired veterans. Elks furnish food, comfort care items, therapeutic items and gifts, host holiday celebrations and recreational activities at bases and hospitals, and stand ready to fulfill any need when called upon.
Last year alone, the total value of Elks’ contributions to our nation’s Veterans was $47 million, and our members served more than 677,000 Veterans. The Elks have entered into a partnership with VHA to support efforts for the homeless Veterans in their communities. To this end, the Elks have pledged $4 million dollars to help end Veteran Homelessness.
Marines folding our Flag
The Elks will receive thousands of scholarship applications in December from high school seniors across the nation. Annually, the Elks award college scholarships across the nation totaling more than $4 million. The Elks Community Investment Program will award $12.4 million towards enriching our communities.
The Elks total donations exceeded 675 million last year. There are more than 1,700 Elks Lodges across the country with a total membership nearing 800,000. Elks’ members must be American citizens who are at least 21 years of age and must believe in God. The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating 48 years of service to Saddleback Valley Communities. It is one of 8 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 150 ye150-yearry of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share” For information regarding Elks programs or membership in the Elks, call 949 830-3557.
Photo credits: Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444
Media Contact: Andy Costello
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