Frank Gunning (Elks Lodge Member), Norah Dopudja (Operations Director, South County Outreach) and Pat Martino (Elks Lodge Past Exalted Ruler)
ELKS LODGE PROVIDES GIFT CARDS TO OUTREACH PROGRAM
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) Run-A-Ways Camper’s club gave holiday donations to South County Outreach (“SCO”).
Norah Dopudja, Director of Operations for the SCO program located in Lake Forest greeted Elks Run-A-Ways representatives, Wagon Master Pat Martino and campers Frank Gunning and Andy Costello.
The holiday mission of the trio of campers was to deliver twenty-nine Target gift cards valued at four hundred thirty five dollars ($435) to SCO. Director Dopudja thanked the Elks and said, “The cards will be part of our holiday gifts to families with teen-agers.” She added, “Young people appreciate the fifteen dollar ($15) gift card because they can use it to buy a CD or something they personally enjoy.”
The Run-A-Ways group is one of the clubs within the Elks Lodge. Funds for the gifts are collected in place of a Christmas gift exchange among the camper’s club members. “We’re just a small part of the total Elks Lodge membership, but we try to do what we can for worthwhile charities throughout the year,” said Wagon Master Martino.
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-two (42) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, 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 144 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444
Photo by Andy Costello
