ELKS PLAN FUND-RAISING ROAST OF VISCO.

Byline: Daily News

PALMDALE - The Palmdale Elks Lodge 2027 will host a roast of Lancaster businessman and former California Republican Party Chairman Frank Visco, raising money for Elks programs benefiting local youths.

The roast will start at 6 p.m. Thursday at the lodge, 2705 E. Ave. Q.

Seating for the Frank Visco Roast is limited. Tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Dinner is included and will be served at 7 p.m.

Mistress of ceremonies will be Sherry Lasagna, field representative for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Other roasters will include attorney R. Rex Parris, Palmdale City Councilmen Rick Norris and Mike Dispenza, Assemblyman George Runner, Antelope Valley Hospital trustee Deborah Rice, and businessman Johnny Zamrzla.

The Palmdale Elks Lodge was one of the first organizations Visco joined after moving to the Antelope Valley. Visco joined the Palmdale Elks in the 1970s after serving four years in the U.S. Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base.

Some of the other causes championed by Visco have included helping raise funds for the YMCA, serving as vice chairman of the United Way from 1972-74, co-founding the North Los Angeles County Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled, serving as president of the Palmdale Rotary Club in 1978, 1979 and 1998, and co-chairing the building of the Lancaster Homeless Shelter.

The Elks use the money raised by their fund-raising efforts to help young people in many different programs. They provide college scholarships; sponsor youth football, baseball, and softball; and provide funding for various local Scout troops. The Elks' major project is to provide in-home therapists for handicapped children throughout the state.

For more information, contact Dean Henderson at [phone] or Pat Sileo at [phone].