Elks RV Rally Raises Over $40,000 for Handicapped Children

The Run-A-Ways campers of Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“MV Elks Lodge”) joined over 300 other Elks campers from Southern California to raise over $40,000 for handicapped children, eclipsing last year’s total by almost $10,000. 

The 45th Annual RV Rally for the kids was again held at the Golden Village Palms RV Resort in Hemet. The generosity of Elk members in one hundred sixty (160) RVs along with others staying in nearby hotels made this year’s event one of the best ever. Southern California Elks Lodge members set up handicrafts booths, conducted raffles and enjoyed a variety of games, food and entertainment. The MV Elks Lodge Run-A-Ways were prominent in the fund-raising effort with a donation of $10,000, which was raised from game booths and Lodge member donations. A large part of the donation was from a cruise auction conducted by the Elks Lodge. 

The MV Elks Lodge contingent was led by Run-A-Ways Wagon Master Fred Gabel and wife Annette. Of the event, Fred Gabel said, "As a first time Wagon Master, I was amazed that this year’s donations generated a more than 30% increase in charitable giving when compared to last year. This means more handicapped children will be served by the Elks so they have an increased opportunity to walk, talk, see and play.”