Thank you, Elks!

Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks announced plans to purchase 4,200 third-grade dictionaries for the current school year. This year will mark the Lodge’s 7th year of participation in the Dictionary Project. "Our goal is to make sure every third grader in the Lodge’s jurisdiction receives a book to call their very own," said Project Chairman Pat Martino. "This will bring our total of dictionaries delivered to students in the Saddleback and Capistrano Valley School Districts to over 35,000." Most of the books are distributed in person to the students in an entertaining 15-minute presentation put on by a team of Elk volunteers. Parents and teachers alike have praised the project, which is sponsored by the Elks Lodge Charities Program.