Veteran Gary Haber receives an afghan from Elks Andy Dumont and Joan Presley
Visiting Vets Elk committee members Leo Hazel, Andy Dumont, Elks Lodge Veterans committee chairman Gloria LeCouvre, Joan Presley, and Paul O’Brian.
640 Veteran Bob Krost receiving afghan from Andy Dumont and Joan Presley
“As long as there are Veterans, the Elks will never forget them.”
On Monday, May 10, 2010 a delegation of 7 volunteers from Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Lodge #2444, visited the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. During the visit veterans enjoyed coffee, punch and cookies while playing bingo games for prize money donated by the Lodge’s Bingo Charity program. While some volunteers assisted in the Bingo games, others visited the Spinal Injury Unit, giving bedridden patients Afghans and lap-throws. The Elks brought a pick-up truck filled with gifts. The value of the articles, time and milage donated by the lodge estimated to be approximately $5,600.00. Donations of toiletries from Paul O’Brian and Nancy Allen, Afghans and throws from the Ladies Sewing Group headed by Sandra Bergan, animal pillows from Stephanie and Bill Bongartz, over 12 dozens of cookies made by Pam Mackey and Joan Pressley, assorted magazines and Paperback books. The volunteers from the lodge who participated in the visit were Joan Pressley, Pam Mackey, Leo Hazell, Andy Dumont, Paul O’Brian, Gloria R. LeCouvre, Hank Fordham.
Patriotism has been a hallmark of the Elks. In 1907 the Elks initiated the first mandate to observe June 14th as Flag Day, and in 1948, President Truman (a fellow Elk) signed it into law making it a National Holiday. Our pledge to the disabled veterans of the Civil War remains true to this day. “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”
