Moreno Valley Elks Honors Incoming Officers

After painful deliberation, Moreno Valley Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Christie Williams chose two Elk members and a local citizen as exemplary from among many deserving Elks and local citizens - both experienced and new. Special plaques were received by this year's winners. Other members received special certificates to acknowledge their hard work in behalf of the Lodge. Elk of the Year, Past Exalted Ruler, Dick Williams, has supported the Moreno Valley Elks Lodge by serving two terms as Exalted Ruler and providing extra help during 2014-15 by serving, busing, washing dishes, setting up and tearing down tables and chairs for special events. He is always available to advise when asked and is able to loan the Lodge just about anything needed for a large event. One of his generous donations included a walk-in refrigerator which he installed for the Lodge. Williams and his wife, Christie, subscribe to the 66ers, a Triple A Baseball team in San Bernardino, and thus are able to provide $2 tickets to home games for all Elks in the area. Additionally, drug awareness and other Elk charity materials can be distributed at the games. Elks in attendance often have the privilege of enjoying Dick and Christie Williams's box seating during a game. Dick Williams is truly an Elk of the Year! Judy Smith, Moreno Valley Elks Officer of the Year for 2014-15, has served well as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the past four years. She has chaired many Lodge committees and makes sure these committees fulfill their responsibilities. As Grant Coordinator she received a grant which supplied local 3rd graders with dictionaries and drug-free coloring books. Additionally, a second grant allowed students at La Jolla Elementary School in Moreno Valley to participate in a program promoting good health through increased physical activity. Smith delivered Most Valuable Student Scholarship applications to seniors at ALL local high schools in the area. Five students were Lodge winners and will be honored in May 2015 at a Scholarship Awards Dinner planned and implemented by Smith. Smith has edited and/or assisted with publishing an award-winning bulletin for several years. She handles Public Relations for both the Moreno Valley Elks Lodge and the Southeast District Elk Lodges. Many of her pictures and articles have been published, thus informing the community and other Lodges about Elks and their many charities. Smith assists with a variety of events, such as a dinner theater and variety show honoring veterans, to help maintain the Lodge and raise money for charities which benefit local youth, veterans and other charities needing a helping hand! Judy Smith is truly an Elk Officer of the Year! Mary Brunkhorst, Moreno Valley Elks Citizen of the Year for 2014-15, has worked countless hours to support the local Lodge. No task is too difficult or too time-consuming for Mary. Brunkhorst was instrumental in the successful production of a dinner theater and a variety show for veterans. These events required her to be present at the Moreno Valley Lodge for days at a time. Both events were extremely successful thus helping with maintenance of the Lodge and fund-raising for the many charities supported by Moreno Valley Elks! Brunkhorst worked tirelessly to help with advertising all major fund-raising events planned by the Lodge. She made and delivered flyers, contacted local magazines, radio and television stations in an attempt to obtain free publicity for events being held at the Moreno Valley Elks Lodge. As a result of her efforts, the Lodge was able to raise more money during 2014-15 than had been budgeted! Mary Brunkhorst is truly a Moreno Valley Elks Citizen of the Year!