Encinitas Women Rallying to Support Marines Overseas

Recently the Encinitas Elks Lodge #2243 Auxiliary in collaboration with the San Dieguito American Legion Post #416 Auxiliary and Del Mar Seacoast Republican Women shipped the final 14 of a total of 85 boxes to Master Sgt. Jeff Koenig and other members of VMGR-352 attached to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar.

The effort began in February when Koenig was AWOL from a social function at the lodge.

“It started out when Jeff’s name was drawn from a raffle,” Betsy Schreiber explained. “Someone said, ‘That’s not going to happen because Jeff’s not here. He’s in Afghanistan.’”

Schreiber learned that he had just shipped out two days earlier with 161 men and women belonging to a Marine Corps aviation unit.

“I said I wanted to send care packages,” she recalled. The Marines in that unit–who were traveling with nothing but their backpacks­–were happy to comply to a request for a wish list.

The three women’s groups rallied to purchase items that included sunscreen, body wash, body lotion, Gold Bond powder and foot powder, wipes, air freshener, popcorn, coffee, coffee filters, hard candy, chips, beef jerky, drink mix, creamer, cookies, granola bars, plastic bags (to protect items from sand) – and balloons and crepe paper to decorate their tents.

 “We also sent 50 American flags for them to bring home to their families when they return later this year,” she added.

Master Sgt. Koenig expressed gratitude for his team via email on June 13.

“We are overwhelmed by the support we are receiving from the local community,” he wrote. “It is so nice to know we have the love and support from our friends and neighbors back home.  We really appreciate all the gifts that have been sent on our behalf.  It is a tremendous boost to morale when we receive things in the mail that we can all share.”

The women’s groups also partner in other philanthropic events throughout the year, such as providing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, along with gifts, to veterans and their families who are homeless or in transition through Veterans Village of San Diego. Members of the community interested supporting these efforts can contact Schreiber at (760) 753-8247.

Financial support is also being sought for the work of Encinitas Elks Lodge #2243 to help patients at the VA Hospital in La Jolla, many of whom are living on gurneys due to severe spinal cord injuries, according to secretary Bill Vance.

“We visit the hospital every six weeks and take cookies, muffins and other baked goods made by our members,” he said, adding that the group spends almost $1,000 to provide vouchers to the VA store, books (mysteries/westerns), magazines, playing cards, board games (Monopoly, Scrabble) and homemade afghan blankets.

“As far as time is concerned, it takes more than 300 hours to provide these items, so it’s a big undertaking,” he explained.

The weekend of July 6-8, the public is invited to the Elk’s annual BBQ Weekend, which generates money to support children with children with sight, hearing and physical challenges, and the local Parkinson’s Association.

“Often referred to as a ‘land cruise,’ there will be plenty of food, non-stop entertainment, games and prizes for all,” said Bill Vance. “It’s great family fun.”

Highlights of the weekend include:

Friday, 5-8 p.m. Steak Fry with two country-western bands. $20/person.

Saturday, 5-8 p.m. All You Can Eat Pasta Dinner with live music. $12/person. This is preceded by kids’ bands in the afternoon along with food, beverages and games for the children.

Sunday, July 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Gourmet Brunch and afternoon entertainment, including hula dancers and a “Frank Sinatra” sing alike! $15/person.  

All three meals: $38.

Games include dunk tank, basketball, baseball, photo booth and face painting.

The Elks Lodge #2243 is located at 1393 Windsor Road, Cardiff.  For more information, call (760) 753-2243 or e-mail EncinitasElks@live.com.

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