Elks Lodge Cinco de Mayo Extravaganza Nets $3,000 for Charity

From its sold-out Cinco de Mayo extravaganza, Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) netted $3,000 for the Elks National Foundation, which provides funds for youth scholarships and community projects in the Saddleback Valley and throughout the United States. Chairperson for the event was Elks Lodge vice president Camacho Alvarez.

Guests enjoyed an authentic Mexican dinner of green salad, tamale, barbacoa (shredded beef with sauce), rice, beans and dessert of flan or churro with ice cream. During dinner, the guests were serenaded by strolling Mariachi Guadalajara musicians. The delicious meal was catered and arranged for serving with the Elks Lodge volunteer kitchen crew of Gwen Williams, Steve Rusie, Ben Blair, Matt Williams and Mary Ann Alvarez. Servers were members of CSU Fullerton’s Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority. Event printed material, decorations and margarita fountains were generously supplied by Elks Lodge member Stephanie Bongartz of Lake Forest’s Bongo, Inc.

After dinner, the guests were enthralled and mesmerized by the performances of the Ballet Folklorico Puro Corazon, which means “purely heart”. They lived up to their motto of “leave your heart on the floor” as they performed several regional Mexican dances with proper customs for each region. The dancers, students of CSU Fullerton’s Cultural Programs, range in age from 17 to 23. The evening continued with music from Elk member’s favorite rock and roll band Alter Ego.

Elks Lodge past president and Orange Coast District State vice president Harvey Boelts of San Juan Capistrano said, “The food was fantastic! The dance and music performances were incredible! What a terrific way to raise money for charity.” Boelts added, “I will be reserving two tables for next year’s extravaganza”.

The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-three (43) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of ten 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 145 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”

Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity

Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444