Mission Viejo Man Wins Regional Elks Award

Clowns cheering the sick, relief for tornado victims and Christmas gifts for those with special needs. Elks PR man Hal Mattson has won a special honor for publicizing these and other actions of the .

Mattson has earned the 2011 – 2012 California, Hawaii Elks Association special citation for public relations.

He beat records across both states by publicizing the work the Elks Lodge has completed over the past year.

CHEA Public Relations Chairman Andy Costello said this about Mattson's volunteer work: "He not only helped, but he shattered every publicity record for the Lodge, for the District and for the entire California, Hawaii Association. The members of the Lodge can be proud of his outstanding accomplishmen"

Mattson served as exalted ruler, the club's highest local position, in 2007-08. Since then he's been parliamentarian, mediator and has been an active member of the Past Exalted Rulers Association, along with his publicity work.

And every second Friday night of the month, Mattson serves up food to other members as crew chief of the night cooking crew.

Here are some of the Elks activities Mattson sent to Patch last year: