Honored Elks

FEBRUARY ELK OF THE MONTH

Patty Rich

This member has been a member since March 2022.  After being initiated, this member immediately started volunteering anywhere she was able to help. She works Bingo as a caller
and runner.  She has been seen helping at the volunteer breakfast clearing tables and collecting the money for breakfast.  When one of our chair officers was ill and unable to work Pizza Sunday, I put a quick team together and she stepped right up to assist.  I was truly grateful for the quick response of this member and the other members to step up. Even with a hurt leg in a cast, that didn’t slow her down, she just kept on volunteering!

Please join me in congratulating Member #10143, Patty Rich as the February 2024 Elk of the Month!

Elk of the Year 2022-2023

Charnee Johnson

I was born on Castle Air Force Base in Merced, CA on August 4, 1968.  My parents divorced before I was 2, so my mother & I moved back to Orange County.  Both parents re-married, and each had additional children, but I was raised with my brother, Jason.  My mother was a single parent for most of my childhood and worked very hard.  There were times she worked 1 full time job, and 2 part time jobs to make sure my brother and I had everything we needed.  

After high school, I went to Golden West College but didn’t complete my degree.  I started working full time when I was 20 for the company who published the yellow pages for Pacific Bell.   

I married in 1990 and moved to Colorado in 1992.  I missed my family but loved the beauty of Colorado.  My marriage ended in 1994.  I moved to Sacramento and lived with friends for 3 years.  It was tough, but I was at least able to drive home to Garden Grove more often to visit my family.  In 1997, I was offered a job in group health insurance in Fountain Valley and jumped at the opportunity to relocate back to Orange County.  I moved back in with my parents for a year, then got my very first apartment.  In December 2001 my son was born. He changed my life for the better.  My focus became making sure he had all he needed and raising him to be a good human.   He was, and continues to be, my greatest pride and joy.  

Once my son was at an age where he didn’t need me as much, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands.  I needed something to occupy my time.  A friend of mine had joined the Moose Lodge, and that sparked my interest in joining a fraternal organization.  After much research and asking questions, I decided The Elks was where I wanted to be…but then COVID happened.  

In September 2021, when everything was on its way back to normal, I finally was able to join the Garden Grove Elks.  I had found a proposer (thank you Sean and Katrina Smorick!) and was welcomed to the Elks family. I dove in headfirst.  I attended every meeting and got my “Lavish Gifts”.  I started making treats for lodge night, found out my lodge family had a sweet tooth and became known as Betty Crocker.  I was going to meetings on Thursdays, and House Committee meetings, and sitting in on Wednesday Trustee meetings just to learn about the lodge.  I “made eye contact” with committee chairs and officers who needed volunteers for various events.

In March 2022, I was so excited to be named Elk of the Month by Tony Lopez.  

When the Entertainment Committee was revamped, I was happy to become Kay Kearney’s “Sergeant at Arms” and I hit the ground running.  Our goal was to get the lodge open and active.  I helped on Saturdays by volunteering to work and eventually co-chair Saturday BBQ with Sharon Violano, and then Sunday Football with Kieth Huff.  With Drive-thru BBQ, Fourth of July picnic, Elk-Olympics…I was volunteering as much as they would let me.  I was busy, and happy.

I’ve made so many friends serving this lodge, that the service isn’t work.  It’s been a fun, rewarding, and wonderful experience. Thank you, GG Elks, for the love and friendship!   

Thank you, Exalted Ruler Eric Skillman, for selecting me as the 2022-2023 Elk of the Year.  I hope to continue to make you proud.