ELKS SUPPORT HOMELESS KIDS PROGRAM
Representatives of the Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks were present at the Town Hall Meeting & Prayer Vigil for StandUp For Kids, a nationally acclaimed organization committed to the rescue of homeless and street kids. The event was hosted by St. Kilian Catholic Church. Elks Lodge treasurer Newt Seal and officers Andy Costello and Gerry Schiphorst represented the Lodge and presented a $500 check to Justine Madison the executive director of StandUp For Kids. The donation was made possible by the Elks Bingo Charity Committee. Newt Seal, organizer and long time Bingo committee chairman, said of the event. “It was very enlightening and heart wrenching to hear the statistics regarding the number of children right here in Orange County that are homeless. When we think of the homeless, few people realize that one in three is under the age of 18.” Lodge spokesman Andy Costello added, “Of all the charities supported by the Elks, children’s charities are always at the top of the list. We are pleased that we could add our support in a small way to this worthwhile effort.”
The Elk’s principal children’s charity will take center stage at the California/Hawaii Elks Association convention on May 13 -16 in Ontario. At that time the Major Project March will take place. In that moving ceremony, each Lodge president will present the contributions from their members to the Association’s Major Project chairman. The contributions provide funding for therapists working with seeing and hearing impaired children throughout Ca. & Hawaii. The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks will be one of 180 proud Lodges participating in the march. Expectations are that donations this year will reach the Association’s goal of 3 million dollars.
For more information on Elks Charities or membership in the Elks call (949) 830-ELKS
Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444
25092 Marguerite Parkway (at La Paz Road)
Mission Viejo, Ca. 92692
Publicity, Andy Costello phone: 949-770-5796 Bus 949 380-8787
Lodge Phone 949-830-ELKS—Lodge Fax 949-830-2010
