Marking the second visit of an Elks high official in one week, the Elks District Deputy for the Orange Coast District made his official visit to the Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge.
District Deputy Dave York was accompanied by the Esquire to the District Deputy Kevin Perkins and the Auditor to the District Deputy Oscar Garza. The official visit by these representatives of the Elks Grand Lodge (Elks national headquarters) is conducted annually for the purpose of disseminating news and directives from the national headquarters in Chicago.
In the days preceding the visit, the Esquire and the Auditor conduct inspections of the physical property and examine the financial records of the Lodge. As expected the Lodge received high marks in all the categories examined.
Following the member’s dinner in the Lodge annex prepared by the Lodge’s excellent volunteer chefs, members, dignitaries, and officers from the 7 surrounding Orange Coast District Lodges filled the meeting room for the District Deputy’s program. While the meeting was taking place, men and women spouses of the members attending the meeting enjoyed a lavish dinner in the garden of the Lodge.
District Deputy York read the biography of Grand Exalted Ruler (Elks National President) Michael Luhr and spoke of the importance of support for the Elks National Foundation (ENF) which is funded by donations from Elk members and is the national charity arm of the Elks. Through ENF funding over $4,000,000.00 in scholarships are awarded annually nationwide. More than $1,852,000.00 a day is donated back by the ENF to fund local community and charitable programs in local communities throughout the nation. The ENF donations in the form of grants to individual Lodges are earmarked for charitable work with veterans, our youth, and the needy in the community.
A very special award was presented at the meeting. Receiving the “Silver Circle of Caring” award from District Deputy York was Lodge Past Exalted Ruler (PER) Hal Mattson for his accumulated personal donations to the ENF of over $10,000.00. Hal Mattson served as Exalted Ruler of the Lodge in 2007-08 and continues his service today as District Government Relations Chairman. Exalted Ruler Klinger also received an award for the Lodge’s outstanding increase in membership. The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks 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.
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
