Guest Post: People of B-D MVP #1

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This article is reposted with permission from the admins at People of Brentwood-Darlington and is from a series they are doing featuring neighbors who make a difference in the Brentwood-Darlington community.

Originally published August 3rd, 2020:

Good morning, Brentwood-Darlington! We bring you our first #POBDMVP post highlighting the folks in our neighborhood keeping community alive with their small businesses, nonprofits, and behind-the-scenes organizing. This week, meet Vicki Geistlinger and The Moose Lodge.

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[Image Description: Photo of Vicki Geistlinger.]

Vicki has lived in or near Brentwood-Darlington since she was 10 years old, and attended Lane School (when it served grades K-8) and Franklin High School. She’s a mother of two boys and adopted daughter, and grandmother to five children. Vicki works for a government agency that regulates Tribal casinos and has been a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose (LOOM) and Women of the Moose (WOTM) for 23 years!

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[Image Description: A mural of neighbors having a picnic with a Moose on the side of Portland Moose Lodge #291 in Brentwood-Darlington, Portland, Oregon.]

The Portland Moose Lodge right here on SE 52nd and Flavel (Lodge 291/Chapter 297) celebrates its 110th birthday on August 31st. The Lodge hosts many dinners and activities open to the community, including a pancake breakfast with Santa, Easter egg hunt, Halloween Trick or Treat, and currently takeout meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep the Lodge running. These events help support groups such as Relay for Life, Safe Surfing, the Oregon Food Bank, Special Olympics, and more.

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[Image Description: People sit at long tables while playing Bingo at Moose Lodge #291.]

Additionally, Vicki says, “the Lodge supports the local community [with] food, clothing, blanket, sock, school supplies drives for distribution. Upon request the Lodge will provide a food basket for a family in need.”Vicki says the Lodge is important to the community because of “the support we give to our children and seniors. Their care is important now and [in the] future. The Lodge is a great and safe place for members to gather. [It provides] safe events for Moose and community children during holidays throughout the year, [and] a place for support groups to meet.”The Moose also supports a “child city” in Mooseheart, IL, which houses children in 50 homes in the community and provides for all their needs from birth until graduation. The Moose supports a senior care community called Moosehaven in Orange Park, FL, as well. Qualifying senior-age Moose members can eventually retire at Moosehaven.

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[Image Description: Children in costumes play games inside Moose Lodge #291.]

What does Vicki love most about Brentwood-Darlington? “The connection and caring that people have within the neighborhood,” she says. “The little libraries, food closets, food carts and community gardens.” Vicki adds that she hopes more neighbors consider becoming members of the Moose Lodge, both to work together for causes the Moose supports, to support local children and seniors, and to share differing perspectives in a kind, helpful, and respectful manner.

*For more information on membership, including membership discounts, dues, projects, and more, visit https://www.mooseintl.org/. Be on the lookout for Vicki’s posts about Lodge events and opportunities to support!* (on the People of Brentwood-Darlington Facebook Group)

(The beautiful mural on the South side of the lodge was completed in 2018 by volunteer artist Mark Criscione with paint donated by the Lodge and its members. It features “Tommy Moose” and Mt. Hood in the background. Read about the mural, and more on the Lodge’s history, at https://pamplinmedia.com/sb/75-features/404345-301365-service-mural-completed-on-se-52nd-avenue-moose-lodge-pwoff.)