SPECIAL NEEDS OUTREACH UPDATE – A NEW PARTNERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY

The Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge Officer Corps is proud to share that the Lodge’s new and exciting partnership with the Saddleback Valley Unified District’s Esperanza Educational Center in Mission Viejo is underway! On July 3^rd, the Elks Lodge began a rare and remarkable community program, which invites special needs students from Esperanza to the lodge on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

These incredible students sweep the patio, clean the tables and chairs, and wash the windows. Their enthusiasm, work ethic, and smiles of accomplishment leave lasting impressions. Esperanza’s Principal Shelly Stewart is extremely grateful the Elks Lodge has opened its doors to local special needs students, and the members of the Lodge are thrilled to provide an opportunity for young adults to develop life skills at the lodge. Members are sure to notice fewer leaves around the patio and cleaner tables and windows in the lodge, and that is because some ng students are working hard, and doing their best with pride and determination.

Lodge #2444 is celebrating 49 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, call 949 830-3557.