Elks Raise Over $1,000 for Disabled Children

Beginning with a visit from California-Hawaii Elks Lodge dignitaries, a successful mystery dinner theater and the final fund-raiser for disabled children event-”Decorate a Purple Pig” Contest, Moreno Valley Lodge members raised over $1,000 for disabled children who have “fallen through the cracks.” These children and their families often live in rural areas and are not able to obtain appropriate care. Certified therapists visit these children and their families in their homes and provide much-needed care and support. Elks call this fund-raiser for disabled children their Major Project and their symbol is purple piggy banks to encourage contributions to the major project. Every year, Elk members decorate their purple piggy banks and enter local lodge contests. Among the many decorated purple pig entries for Moreno Valley Elks were feathered pigs, baby pigs, smartly-dressed pigs with purses and other accessories, business pigs and vacationing pigs. Moreno Valley Elk members, along with their friends and visitors put money into their favorite decorated pigs. Winning by a margin was Robin De Lind whose pig featured a sandy beach with a sign reminding everyone that it is always “five o’clock somewhere.” Moreno Valley Elks shared that they are proud of their efforts to raise money for disabled children and their many other charities that help the local community with scholarships for high school seniors, drug awareness programs, healthy student activities and support for veterans.