Meet the main Moose

An exclusive to the Sun by Linda Blum

When Ray Welch wanted to arrange a celebration for his wife’s birthday, he asked around and found that Sonoma’s Moose Lodge had an event space that could be rented for a reasonable fee. Except that it was only available to members. So Ray, for the nominal dues of $60, became a member, rented the space and had a smashing good party.

At the time he had no idea that he would remain a member and, two years later, would be starting in as the new administrator of the Lodge.

The Sonoma Moose Lodge is part of a nationwide network of a “Family Fraternal International Organization of Men and Women dedicated to Caring for Young and Old, bringing communities closer together and celebrating Life”, as they describe themselves. The facility on lower Broadway has been in use since 1963, and the Moose members have made themselves an involved part of the community.

In fact, one of Ray Welch’s first tasks was to sign up the organization as a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

In the main event room, below the huge donated moose head (but no worries- it was shot in another state way back in 1957), they have been holding Monday Night Dinners for members and guests, Polka Parties on Sundays, and of course, the longstanding Bingo extravaganza on Tuesdays.

Throughout the year they hold public events for Sonoma kids, like Santa at Christmas and Easter Egg Hunts, and their barbecues and seasonal dinners open to the public are popular attractions. Hanging out in their private “social center”(aka bar) is another of the Moose Lodge perks.

Still, these social events are not the basic reason for the life of the Lodge; the organization came into being over a hundred years ago in order to help underprivileged children, and that remains its focus. The national organization maintains an expansive children’s home near Chicago called The Mooseheart Child City & School, funded entirely by private donations, most of which come from the dues and the event profits of each local Moose Lodge. And since 1922, the Moosehaven Continuing Care Retirement Community in Orange Park, Florida, has been home to retired members of the Loyal Order of Moose.

But what is the local Lodge doing for Sonoma?

The four hundred members are involved with giving scholarships to outstanding Sonoma Valley High School students, donating funds to the Sonoma 4-H organization, hosting all the free programs for kids, and, every few months, choosing a cause or person that is in need of financial help and caring.

Currently, they have taken on the cause of 24-year-old Kaitlyn Hanna, who has stage 4 breast cancer, and whose family’s insurance had lapsed. The Lodge made a generous donation to her Special Needs Fund, and members are visiting her.

Ray Welch has some fresh ideas for updating the Lodge facility, and for attracting a new generation of members. He wants to punch up the website (www.sonomamoose.org) and enter the world of Facebook, build a permanent stage for live dance music or theater performances, use the “aka bar” as a setting for karaoke parties, have a monthly wine- themed party with a new winery partner each time, and just in general, liven things up. Go Ray!