At the January meeting,
held on January 16th, Empire Lodge 2 had two guests from the California Highway Patrol of Orange County.
Donell Holmes (right),
Vince Ramirez (left), along with Dave
Fernandez of Lodge 2, are very active with the CHiPS for Kids program presented each year. The program gives needy children of Southern California a real Christmas with presents
and Santa Claus, too (our own Dave of Lodge 2). Dave and his Wife Donna were Santa & Mrs.
Claus at the John Force Car Show where admission was an unwrapped gift for CHiP’s
for Kids.
Lodge
2 presented twelve gift cards to the CHiPS for Kids program. Each card contained $15, for a total of $180.00 to help with buying presents for the children. The CHP
gave the gift cards to teenagers to purchase presents more age appropriate items for themselves while they supplied other
types of gifts to the younger children.
Dave
made a solo performance as Santa to a special mom who is dying of cancer and her kids.
When asked what she wanted for Christmas she replied she only wanted to see her children happy. They were supplied with presents and a visit from Santa – needless to say, Santa was a big hit.
Holmes
and Ramirez presented a plaque of appreciation to Dave Fernandez
for part in playing Santa Claus. They also presented plaque to President
Joe Gonzales for Lodge 2 In appreciation for the Lodge’s
support of the program.
