On October 22, a four-person Elks Veterans Committee Team from the Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks, visited the Fisher House near the Long Beach Veterans Hospital (VA) and prepared a meal for 13 residents. Ms. Chi Austin, Fisher House Program Support Assistant, met with the Elks Team and explained the Fisher House had recently received many donations of blankets and toys. Katie Muir prepared her now famous and scrumptious Chicken “ELK-fredo” Casserole and Sheryn Howlett and Lucky Walch prepared a hearty mixed salad. Vets Committee Chairman Jerrie Muir washed the dishes! Residents were treated to a dessert of apple pie and whipped cream.
From left to right, Elks Lucky Walch, Sheryn Howlett, Fisher House Program Support Assistant Chi Austin, and Katie Muir.
A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers and provide free accommodations. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 78 Fisher Houses located on 24 military installations and 33 VA medical centers in the U.S., Germany and the United Kingdom. Many more houses are under construction or in design. 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-year history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share” For information regarding Elks programs or membership in the Elks, call 949 830-3557.
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
