Bill Neessen
Elk of the Year, POY, Public Relations Chairman
Posts: 2619
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Posted on: Dec. 04 2016,2:45 pm |
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November is a very busy month for the Orange Elks. Many of our programs helped the lodge attain an All American Lodge status for the second year in a row. Supporting our Veterans is at the top of the list of things to do. Every Wednesday our Veterans attend the Flag lowering at the Plaza. This month started with a Socks for Hero’s project where our lodge stuffed over 200 socks for our service men and women on duty. Next up was the Veterans Summit Fall 2016 Conference at the Nixon Library. The Field of Valor is a flag that honors those who are serving or have served.
On the first Sunday of each month is our Luis Ochoa Breakfast that is always well attended. During football season, our Vets Omelett Bar serves over a hundred breakfasts. The proceeds from both of these events help fund our various Veterans Programs. Our Veteran’s Registry, on the third floor continues to grow as we record of our members who have served or are currently serving our Country.
Next was our Veterans Day program honoring fifty-one of Orange Elks members who have served. At this year’s Veterans Night Program the theme was “Thanks to Our Veterans”. The lodges Veterans Committee gave a $1,475 scholarship to Erick Castro. Erick is a Marine Veteran and served a tour of duty in Afghanistan from 2009 – 2010. The program ended with the singing of “God Bless the USA”.
A very important part of our lodge is to support the Stand Down in Orange County both in manpower and financial.
This month our members who ride motorcycles participated in the Injured Warriors Appreciation Run. Next was the Bob Hope USO Veterans Appreciation Event for Military Families.
Every Thanksgiving Day, our lodge prepares a Thanksgiving Dinner for our Veterans and their families. Also the lodge has collected household goods and delivered them to the Fisher House. The Fisher House provides military families housing to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
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