Relay for Life '10

Team Cancer Schmancer, led by Orange Elk Leah Glastetter, participated in Relay for Life at Orange High School in May 2010 to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The team, which was supported by the Orange Elks, raised $1,596.

Video courtesy of Kayla Glastetter

On Friday December 18, the Kitchen Crew prepared a spaghetti dinner for over 200 Orange Elks Lodge members, their families and friends. After dinner we packed 193 Christmas baskets for selected families in need in the city of Orange. The baskets included everything for a wonderful Christmas dinner. Toys for the children were also included.

On Saturday December 19, 74 Elks members, their family and friends met at the lodge and delivered the Christmas baskets. The lodge raised nearly $5000 to provide the baskets for this wonderful Christmas event for the holiday season.

The Orange Elks Lodge Scout Troop 1475 is a big part of this program. Larry Loustaunau, Asst. Scoutmaster of Troop 1475 and his son Robert are pictured loading vehicles. Later, they delivered the Christmas Baskets.

See photos of this event here.

Seventeen members of the Orange Elks Lodge visited the Long Beach Veterans Hospital to treat 21 Veterans to a Christmas in July. Elks from several other lodges in the Orange Coast District were also there. The lodge provided $100 dollars for Bingo, a gift bag that included toiletry gifts, an American flag, an hand written card that said "Our vets will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service. God Bless you and God Bless America" and included a five dollar bill. Every veteran won at least $5.00 in Bingo. This is a special program our lodge does to show our appreciation to the veterans for their part in keeping our country safe.
(L to R) Brian Fitzpatrick, Stephanie Fitzpatrick, Larry Nelson VietNam vet. and Gejo Millian

More than $2,947,853 has been contributed this year by members of Elks Lodges throughout California and Hawaii to be used in treating children with disabilities.

Rick Hatch, Exalted Ruler of Orange Lodge 1475, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, contributed $11,730.91 which was raised by the members of the Lodge.

"We are pleased and proud that members of our Elks Lodge were so generous with their dollars and time in this important undertaking," Rick said.

Since 1950, the 94,000 members from throughout California and Hawaii have turned over more than $88,000,000 to the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc., which administers the non-profit charitable corporation.

All of the funds are devoted solely to providing vision screening and therapy treatment to children with a broad range of disabilities. Without the Elks supported donations, many of these children would not receive such treatment.

The year-long fund raising campaign is capped by an impressive ceremony at the annual Elks Convention when representatives of lodges from throughout California and Hawaii present their donations to Major Project and Elks Association leaders.

The raising of funds to aid children with disabilities is just one of the many philanthropic and patriotic projects which mark the Elks' contribution to our community.

CHILDREN BENEFIT - Three and one-half old Mia Burton of Redding, California was the Theme Child at the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project's Exalted Rulers' March on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the California-Hawaii Elks Association's Annual Convention in Ontario.

A check for $11,730.91 was presented by Rick Hatch, Exalted Ruler of Orange Lodge 1475, to John Holt, Chairman of the Major Project Board of Trustees.

Nine members of the Orange Elks Lodge #1475 showed up at 6:30 am and cooked sixteen turkeys for Mary’s Kitchen. Mary’s Kitchen feeds the homeless and those in need. The dinners with all the trimmings fed 179 people. According to Orange Elks member and Mary’s Kitchen volunteer Sue Siegal, in the last four months Mary’s Kitchen has seen a 400% increase in meals served.

Pictured are Mark Whidenant and Sue Segal

The Orange Elks Lodge # 1475 cleaned out the charity pot and donated to several charities in Orange County.
The following groups received help:
1. Project Hope School, provide education for homeless students
2. Discovery Arts (Bringing the arts to children with cancer and serious blood disorders) $500
3. Beverly House Fund (Center. Against Domestic Violence) $500
4. Casa Teresa Home (temporary home for single, pregnant women 18 years of age and older $500   (Picture below)
5. Mary’s Kitchen feeds and assists the local homeless.  $250
6. The American Legion’s Boys State summer program $250
7. House of Hope Rescue Mission (for homeless or poverty-stricken women with children) $500
8. McPherson 8th grade class, for the graduation night party $200
9. Orange Senior Center Hearts On Carts Golf Tournament $150
10. Pacific Drum and Bugle Corp $100

The Orange Elks PER Association donated $500 to ENF, Purple Pig and the Discovery Arts.

Pictured (L to R) are Krista (last name withheld), Trustee Stephanie Fitzpatrick, baby Emilynn and mom Heather (last name withheld), Trustees Bill Neessen, Rod Story and COB Mike Duff