Special Kids Sock Hop Hosted by the Elks Lodge #2444 Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley
Elk event chairman Ray Mallen gives a little love to guests Marge Carlson, and Rick Bacon.
Elk of the Year Laura Lumley dances with special guest Michael Douglas.
Lodge President Pat Martino takes guest Nicole Butler for a spin around the dance floor.
The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 held its annual summer “Sock Hop” on July 17th. Over 200 mentally handicapped and downs syndrome Special Kids, danced and ate and partied like any other 7- 10 year olds, despite the fact some were in their 50’s and some were in wheel chairs. They rocked and rolled like never before. The ever popular band the “High Hopes” (mentally challenged themselves) were the afternoon’s entertainment. The dance floor was filled all day. Thirty-two volunteers from the Lodge came out to help with the cooking, serving and chaperoning led by event chairman, Lodge Officer, Ray Mallen. There were too many helpers to name individually but without them this marvelous event would not have occurred. Elks Care….Elks Share.
The “Special Kids Sock Hop” is one of two held each year for the kids. The Special Kids also see Santa Claus at a Special Kids Christmas party in December. Other events the Elks sponsor are a Cancer Kids Carnival which annually hosts 100 – 120 kids with cancer or surviving cancer. Regular trips to the Long Beach Veterans Hospital are also well supported by the Elks volunteers, and Norm Murray Senior Center dinner dances take place twice a year. The Lodge donates to the Saddleback Valley’s first responders as well, with a trained Police Dog donated to the Mission Viejo Police Department a couple of years ago. The dog (officer) is in service today serving the residents of Mission Viejo. It was the third such donation of a police dog to Orange County police services.
The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks have been serving the Saddleback Valley for 40 years and award Scholarships annually to local college bound students. Dictionaries are given to every 3rd grader in the Saddleback Valley annually, all funded by Elks Charities. Lodge 2444 recently appeared, 142 members strong, in the Lake Forest Independence Parade proudly displaying their new Elk Statue which was acquired through private donations of the membership and will be soon dedicated and placed at the entrance of the Lodge located at Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a national organization dedicated to its principles Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity. They have been doing such works for well over 100 years. Contributing largely to these works of charity is the Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elk’s Charity Bingo which is held every Wed. night at the Lodge. The proceeds fund many charitable causes and events. For information about the Elks Charities, Elks Bingo or membership in the Order, contact the Elks at (949) 830-ELKS (3557)
