Elk volunteers and members of the Capistrano Eagles Motorcycle club at far right Elks Lodge President Derek Randles and Rescue Mission Outreach Organizer Kayleigh Roenicke
Early Sunday morning the Community Outreach Program members within the Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks met up with the Capistrano Eagles motorcycle club to deliver a truck full of toys to the Orange County Rescue Mission in our first ever Toy Ride with a Cause.
The Elks started collecting toys in early November and thanks to the generosity of the members, we were able to make a difference for the more than 90 children who are in the Rescue Mission’s program.
The Orange County Rescue Mission is a not for profit organization and a First Steps program and a homeless services provider to single men and women and families. The Mission serves on average 3,500 meals a day to those needing assistance in the local community.
The day started at the Elks Lodge gathering outside for coffee and donuts, and good old fashion bantering while the group strapped many of the toys and stuffed animals to their two wheeled sleds.
Once the kickstands were up, the motorcycle group composed of both Elks and Eagles members hit the road on a nice tour of Irvine before their drop off point on the old Tustin Marine Base.
The rumble of more than 30 motorcycles filled the air and alerted the children at the mission that something was about to happen – the team led by new Elk Peter Burke dressed in a Santa outfit pulled in and lined up in front for all the children to see. The lead bike, along with having a very jolly pilot, was covered in Christmas cheer which included two animated and singing Reindeer to the delight of everyone who gathered. He and his wife then handed out candy canes to all the children – and of course the parents – who gathered around for pictures.
Mission Outreach organizer Kayleigh Roenicke welcomed the group saying “the Elks are a wonderful group who has supported us in the past and we look forward to our next event with them.” Exalted Ruler (ER) Derek Randles filled the bins at the Mission with the donated toys while the rest of the group took a quick look around the grounds to see what a fantastic facility the Mission is and what a great place it is to live for it’s more than 200 residents.
A sober faced ER Randles said of the event, “I am humbled and so proud of not only these members working here today, but of our entire Elks membership. Our Lodge Community Outreach Program raises money internally with donations from members and friends of the Lodge. It’s only through their donations and the support of our entire membership that we are able to make these events possible.”
Randles then smiled with a look of satisfaction and added, “Besides delivering toys to the children of the Mission, Our Christmas Outreach program has adopted a local Military Family for whom we are making Christmas a very special time.”
The riding group gathered back to the bikes, put the kickstands up, and made a couple other stops while the Elks Lodge prepared to serve them Lodge Burgers upon their return.
Member Mike Fenton arranged a team of volunteers to cook for this hungry group, serving more than 50 hamburgers to the returning riders and members who were there for our football Sunday.
Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating 44 years of service to Saddleback Valley Communities. It is one of 10 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 146 history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share”
“KEEP COMMUNICATING”
Andy Costello
2014-15 CHEA Public Relations Chairman
Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Lodge #2444
