Page 5 Foothills Sentry MARCH 2025 JOHNSON MOTORCARS 34 Years of Specializing in the Service and Repair of Mercedes-Benz Gary Johnson 714-997-2567 982 N. Batavia # B13, Orange, CA 92867 gary@johnsonmotorcars.com @ramblingroseoc Orange Elks provide "full coverage" community service By Bill Neesen Each year the Orange Elks honor law enforcement and firefighters at its annual Appreciation Night dinner. This event demonstrates the lodge's appreciation for those heroes who risk their lives every day protecting the City of Orange and making Orange a better and safer place to live. These are men and women who run toward danger to protect residents. The co-chairmen of the event, Elks Jennifer Weerheim and Janine Storm, welcomed everyone to the program. Boy Scout Troop 1475 presented the Colors, lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and helped serve the dinner. Gaddi Vasquez was the guest speaker. Vasquez is an Orange native and talked about his experiences growing up in the city. Miss Orange 2025, Kylie Seppala, helped present the awards. Fire Chief Sean deMetropolis presented the fire department’s awards to Micah Carter, Fire Cadet of the Year; Richard Cantu, Fire Reserve of the Year; Dale Eggleston, Non-Sworn Employee of the Year; Battalion Chief Michael Diersing, Manager of the Year; and Captain Anthony Gutierrez, Firefighter of the Year. Orange Police Chief Dan Adams presented awards for Meritorious Service to Corporal Priyesh Patel, Detective Miguel Zamora and Sergeant David Pasino Left to right are,Janine Weerheim, Priyesh Patel, Miguel Zamora, Miss Orange Kylie Seppala, David Pasino, Police Chief Dan Adams and Janine Storm. Left to right are Janine Weerheim, Micah Carter, Richard Cantu, Miss Orange Kylie Seppala, Anthony Gutierrez, Michael Diersing, Dale Eggleston and Janine Storm. The Orange Elks worked with GRIP (Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership) and the Orange Scholarship Associations to support youth in the community. The Elks Drug Awareness committee hosted provided food for the GRIP Mentor Luncheon at Yorba Middle School. From left, Elks Dede McNally, Bill Neessen, Chris Gray and Vicki Long. The Orange Scholarship Association held a workshop for the Miss Orange Little Cuties Program at the lodge. The program is for 1st - 6th grade girls; 12 girls attended. The girls spent a day with Miss Orange 2024 Elizabeth Raburn, met the contestants for the Miss Orange Scholarship Pageant, received a crown and T-shirt, enjoyed crafts, and learned a dance. The Orange Elks Lodge #1475 hosted the Down Syndrome Association of OC mixer. There was music, dancing, games, food and new friends to meet. Volunteers broke out the roulette table and wheel of fortune to make the night a success. The Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance (SCGA), created in 1991, organizes cleanups of the creek. The group of volunteers is dedicated to improving public use of the Santiago Creek, which begins in the mountains above Irvine Regional Park and flows through Villa Park and Santa Ana to the Santa Ana River. The SCGA provides trash bags, pick-up claws, gloves, water, and welcomes Elks and other volunteers to help. The Orange Lodge donates over $8,000 a year to fund its scholarship fund for students. This year, the Elks received a $2,500 grant from Stater Bros. Charities via the Collins Avenue market. The grant gives the lodge more funding for scholarships. Pictured is Chris de Santos of Stater Bros. presenting the scholarship check. Old Timers Pin Night honors long time members Every year, the Orange Elks Lodge hold an Old Timers Pin Night, wherein members who have been an Elk for a long, long, long time are honored. The Lodge Room was packed with Orange Elks, family members and friends for this year's Old Timer Pin Night where we recognize and thank members for their many years of service. Past Exalted Rulers presented the pins to members celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years. This year Dan Bradford was the standout, receiving his pin for being a member of the Lodge for 45 years. Janine Storm presented the pin to Dan Bradford for 45 years of Elkdom.
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