Newport Harbor Elks expand service to military through Socks for Heroes

Marilee Jackson was looking for a social organization to help her give to the community where she lives. Three years later, she feels like she’s found a second home at the Newport Harbor Elks Lodge.

The Newport Beach retiree is the volunteer secretary for Newport Harbor Elks No. 1767. Established in 1949, it’s a yacht club, social nexus and charitable organization all under one roof. Since it’s situated at Newport Harbor, you can visit by land or sea.

The lodge is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a social and charitable organization chartered in 1868 that now has about 800,000 members in more than 1,900 communities around the country.

The Elks National Foundation, established in 1928, has contributed more than $429.6 million toward Elks charitable projects nationwide, according to its website.

“As long as there are those who need help, the Elks will remain ready to provide whatever aid is needed,” Jackson said. “What I found was a group of folks, all ages and personalities, who pretty much had the same idea. One credo the Elks emphasize is, ‘The faults of our members we write in the sand, their virtues upon the tablets of love and memory.’”

With a stated goal of building stronger communities through service and connecting with neighbors, the nonprofit provides assistance to veterans, Scouting, scholarships and services for those in need.

Last month the Newport Harbor Elks added a new military support program to their traditional care packages for active personnel when they hosted a Socks for Heroes event.

Gold Star parents Carla and Jim Hogan of San Clemente started the socks program to honor their son, Marine Lance Cpl. Donald Hogan, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in August 2009.

“They had always sent him socks filled with goodies, and they continue to do the socks and now supply about 60 pairs which are stuffed with goodies donated by members,” said Elks Lodge Veterans Committee Chairwoman Angela Anderson.

The Elks filled them with small items such as beef jerky, cigarettes and hot sauce.

The Elks care package program occurs four times a year, when boxes are filled with snack foods, toiletries and even treats for military dogs. The shipments rotate to various areas, with special consideration when a family member of an Elks member is deployed.

Events for veterans and military families are scheduled throughout the year, and there are ongoing visits to the Long Beach Veterans Affairs hospital to deliver food, clothing and toiletries.

“With the vets and active military being a cornerstone of Elkdom, and my belief of how important these individuals are to our country, I volunteered to chair this important committee,” Anderson said.

The connection of charity and social activities also was apparent at Newport Harbor Elks during a recent ‘80s Night fundraising party that provided an opportunity to fill purple piggy banks.

Plastic purple pigs are an enduring fixture on the lodge dining tables, reminding members to contribute on the spot or take them home and fill them with cash. The proceeds collected provide ongoing funding to help needy individuals and families.

A recent recipient was a family with two babies with birth defects. The Elks stepped in and took care of medical bills.

The Newport Harbor Elks Lodge is at 3456 Via Oporto. For more information, call (949) 673-6110 or visit newportelks.com.