(L to R): Pam Mackey, Stephanie Bongartz, Laura Lumley and Pat Ohman at Bongo, Inc. Lake Forest
Note: In addition to being members of the Elks Ladies organization, Pam, Stephanie and Laura are also full members of the Elks Lodge.
Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany
The Elks Ladies Auxiliary of Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 (“Elks”) shipped manufacturer’s coupons to their adopted US military base located in Vilseck, Germany. The total value of coupons collected and shipped since 2007 now exceeds $100,000.
The Vilseck, Germany military base is a major training center for the US Army in Europe. The base is generally referred to as Rose Barracks.
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Ladies organization cuts coupons from a variety of publications, sorts them into food and non-food bundles and mails them directly to their adopted military base. The coupons are placed on tables at the PX and Commissary, or handed out to military members and families on base. The PX and Commissary are able to accept coupons up to a few months after their expiration date. Total coupon values are reported to the Overseas Coupon Program (“OCP”).
OCP, www.ocpnet.org, was founded in 1992 migrating from a non-profit organization to a patriotic organization in 2002. It serves military families by assisting interested people and organizations in forwarding “manufacturer’s coupons” to military bases outside the USA. Each individual or organization reports the total value of the coupons shipped to OCP which adds them to their Web site.
Pat Ohman, Elks Ladies Publicity Chairman said, “The Elks Ladies know the challenges of balancing a family budget. We are proud to provide some small measure of relief to those military families serving their country in locations far from home.”
Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Pat Martino said, “The Elks Ladies Auxiliary is vital to the Lodge’s charitable and social programs. In addition to their support of our nation’s veterans, the Elks Ladies support every charitable activity of the Elks Lodge.”
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge #2444 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 142 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
In addition to being members of the Elks Ladies, Pam, Stephanie and Laura are also members of the Elks Lodge.
