Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) hosted its 44th annual South Orange County First Responders Appreciation Awards Dinner (“Awards Dinner”) for over 150 firefighters, law enforcement personnel, leaders of their respective organizations and family members of the personnel being recognized for their outstanding work over the past year. Several Saddleback Valley city mayors were also in attendance at the event. These first responders are responsible for protecting nineteen (19) South Orange County communities.
Event organizer Elks State vice president and retired Laguna Beach Fire Captain Harvey Boelts greeted the guests. The program opened with inspiring music played by the Orange County Fire Authority Pipes & Drums followed by presentation of the Colors by the Sheriff’s Department Color Guard. Master of Ceremonies, Elks Lodge past President Dennis Keffer introduced the first responders department heads seated at the dais. Elks Lodge vice president Derek Randles made the trophy award presentations.
Event guests enjoyed a lavish steak dinner prepared by Elks Lodge volunteers Betty, Dennis, Michael and Laura Boelts which was served by student volunteers from the Laguna Hills High School Athletics Program.
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After dinner, awards were presented to the following first responders:
OCFA Battalion 4: Firefighter of the Year Mike Yeun
OCFA Battalion 6: Fire Captain of the Year Jon Walla
OCFA Battalion 7: Fire Captain of the Year Richard Ventura; Reserve Firefighter of the Year Dave Hunt
Laguna Beach Fire Department: Firefighter of the Year & Bagpiper David Lopez; Reserve Firefighter of the Year Logan Bates (Not present, accepting Chip Gilmore)
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Note: OCFA Battalions 4, 6 and 7 protect incorporated communities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Ladera Ranch, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, shared automatic aid to Laguna Beach and a small portion of Irvine; and unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Modjeska Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, and Talega.
California Highway Patrol: Officer of the Year Keith Meter
South Orange County Police Services:
Aliso Viejo: Deputy of the Year Kevin de Fries
Dana Point: Deputy of the Year Brian Hall
Laguna Hills: Deputy of the Year Brendon Franks
Laguna Niguel: Deputy of the Year Chad Davis and C.S.O. Cheryl Waters
Lake Forest: Deputy of the Year Matthew Leflore
Mission Viejo: Deputy of the Year Adam Sandler
Rancho Santa Margarita: Deputy of the Year Susan Arredondo
San Clemente: Deputy of the Year Jared Streeter
San Juan Capistrano: Deputy of the Year Jonathan Larson
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-four (44) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of ten lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 146 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
