Mr. Don Arnett joined the Downey Moose Lodge on September 20, 1972, his sponsor was Jim Flatley. He immediately accepted the open position of Assistant Sergeant at Arms. Don sponsored his first 25 members that year and joined the Twenty Five Club on May 14, 1973. Don spent the next ten years getting to know the Moose Fraternity and just having fun. As a truck driver for Gallo Wines he was not always free to hold an office or Chair. But come 1983 he was asked to hold the Sergeant at Arms position and accepted, that was the beginning of his career in the Downey Lodge. Don moved up to Junior Governor in 1985 while holding down the Kitchen Chairmanship, which he held for 12 years. He served as Treasurer for 1994 and was elected Governor in 1995 and 1996, earning the Lodge Merit Award and going on to serve as Past Governor in 1997.
Don was the Chili Cook Off Chairman from 1988 through 1991 and the Super Bowl Chairman from 1990 through 1993. He has also served as Family Activities Chairman for ten consecutive years. Always talking about the Moose, he continued to sign members every year. He signed 25 members in 1996 and again in 2007. While most of us are happy to sign 2 or more members a year, Don has always lead the way in signing members.
Don’s Moose career did not end at the Lodge level, he earned his Moose Legion Degree in 1973 and received his Fellowship Degree of Honor at the International Convention in Las Vegas on June 19th, 1989. Don has also held the Office of Hub District 18 Treasurer in 1995-1996 and was elected Hub District 18 President for 1996-1997. He served as the Family Activities Chairman for the California / Nevada Moose Association and was involved with the Higher Degree “Surf & Sand” Council serving as Ways and Means Chairman.
Don and his Wife Margaret joined the Downey Moose Camper Club and have been active members. Don has been President of the Camper Club twice; in 1984-85 and in 1991-92. He has held the offices of Secretary / Treasurer and 4 terms as Club Historian. /he has been the Editor of the Wagon Tongue and for 6 years the Membership Chairman. Don And Margaret received the highest honor the Club awards in 2002, “The Lifetime Achievement Award”, and Don has received the coveted “Turkey Award” twice for “Outstanding Dedication and Devotion” to the Downey Moose Camper Club.
Don has continued signing members and as of October 2011 has signed 253 Members!
Don and Margaret have been married 25 years and now reside in Hemet, California. Don slowed down his Moose career in 1998 when he fought and WON his battle against Cancer. Don was forced to retire the Teamsters Union after his third cancer operation. But as you can see, Don continues to promote and live the Moose. This quote from Don says it all, “Selling the Moose is easy, because I truly believe in the work that the Loyal Order of Moose is involved in.”
We wish to thank Don for 39 years of service and the over 250 Members he has signed with a special night. On Saturday, November 19th, 2011 we will Honor Don at a Dinner & Dance. Everyone is invited to attend, there will be a $5 charge for the evening.
Please join us in Honoring Don for all his accomplishments. We ask that you let us know if you are attending only to be sure we have enough food on hand. Please call the Administrator with your RSVP or drop a letter to the lodge.

4p-5p: No Host Bar
5p-6p: Dinner
6p-7p: Roast
7p-10p: Dance

Moose International has put on a new campaign. Sign and enroll two members each and every year and they will pay your dues the following year. This is for the Men, Women, and Moose Legionaires. If you were thinking about signing a member or two, now is the time.