Spring 2020
Facing Challenges
Mission & History
MAIN CONTACT INFORMATION
In 1875, MWB John C. Ralls presented the idea of “a ‘Home’ for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of worthy (deceased) Master Masons…to be located in some suitable and healthy place.” Through the hard work of many, the Masonic Home incorporated in 1886 and opened the doors of the St. Louis Home to its first resident, a 12-year-old girl named Della Gale Farthing, in 1889. The Home expanded into a full campus of service for indigent Masons and their families. The Masonic Home opened the Western Unit in Kansas City in 1986. In 1991, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the St. Louis facility and relocate the residents living there. But also in 1991, the Board created the Outreach Program, a financial assistance program that could reach qualified individuals in their communities. In 2011, the Board of Directors also sold the Western Unit to focus 100 percent of its efforts on the Outreach Programs. Outreach expanded from one program to 10, each satisfying a slightly different need throughout the Masonic Family. Three provide financial assistance to Masons, their wives or widows, ladies of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children. Three Partnership Programs partner with Lodges and Chapters throughout the state to provide for needy children, help their fellow brothers and sisters with a project, help send veterans on Honor Flights, and give care packages to active military. The final four programs are non-financial, serving the membership through financial education, honoring Masonic widows and veterans, and providing information on community resources. We encourage you to check us out on our website at www.mohome.org, give us a call at 800-434-9804, or stop in and tour the Masonic Museum at the Masonic Complex in Columbia.
Website: www.mohome.org
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Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite A, Columbia, MO 65202 Phone: 573-814-4663 | Toll Free: 800-434-9804 | Fax: 573-814-4660
Masonic Complex hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed for state and federal holidays Masonic Museum hours: (located at Masonic Complex in Columbia, MO) Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Executive Director Barbara Ramsey bramsey@mohome.org | Ext. 209 Director of Finance & Fund Development Jodi Blake jblake@mohome.org | Ext. 212 Public Relations Shannon Beck sbeck@mohome.org | Ext. 245
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Truman Club & Vincil Society, Courtyard Paver Stones, Penny-A-Day, General Donations Julie Kirchhoff, Annual Giving Officer jkirchhoff@mohome.org | Ext. 230 Legacy Society, Planned Giving, Major Gift Donations Jackie Walters, Major Gifts Officer jwalters@mohome.org | Ext. 214
MASONIC HOME PROGRAMS
Long-Term Financial Assistance Sonya Carney, Financial Assistance Caseworker scarney@mohome.org, | Ext. 218 Dana Morgenthaler, Financial Assistance Caseworker danam@mohome.org | Ext. 211 Short-Term Financial Assistance, Financial Education, Children’s Outreach Carly Dibben, Accredited Financial Counselor cdibben@mohome.org | Ext. 217 Allyson Reynolds, Financial Assistance Caseworker areynolds@mohome.org | Ext. 219 Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) & Partnering To Honor (PTH) Letitia “Tisha” Woodard, Partnership Coordinator twoodard@mohome.org | Ext. 210 Widows & Veterans Programs, Masonic Family Cares Program Chantana Irvin, Masonic Family Cares Coordinator cirvin@mohome.org | Ext. 239 Museum & Masonic Complex Calendar Michelle Phillippe, Administrative Office Coordinator mphillippe@mohome.org | Ext. 213
CONTENTS
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Executive Director Notes
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Lodge, Chapter bring warmth and comfort to kids though CAP
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Reasons to Dance
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The Noblest Legacy… Left in the Hearts of Children
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Financially Securing a Special Needs Child’s Future
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Quality Care and the Future of Autism
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Designed for the Senses
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Broaching the Subject
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What’s in the Numbers?
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Calendar of Events
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NOTES
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hen we began talking about this edition of the magazine, we knew that we had a very special little girl who is an important part of our Masonic Home family, and we wanted to introduce her to you. She has an amazing family, and we are so grateful to her parents for their willingness to share her story. At the same time, the COVID-19 virus was in China, but we didn’t know much about it. By the time we had the photoshoot for the museum article, the virus was in America, but it seemed very far away. As I write this report today, I sit in my house working remotely following the stay at home order from the City of Columbia. I want to first reassure all of our members that the Masonic Home of Missouri began preparing weeks ago for the possibility that we would need to work remotely. I think about Clifford on the cover of our last magazine, and I look at Sophia on the cover of this magazine – and there is absolutely no question – the Masonic Home of Missouri will continue to provide support to those in need. The staff of the Masonic Home is also very mindful that we have many members that might be financially impacted by this crisis. It seems that everything is moving at such a fast pace with this virus, its impact on our communities, and our government’s responses. We understand that there are some that need us today and tomorrow, while others might need
us a few months from now. With this in mind, I would like to take a moment to remind our readers about our Long-Term Financial Assistance program and Short-Term Financial Assistance program. The last Masonic Outreach magazine featured Clifford and Alice, who are in the Long-Term Financial Assistance program. They are currently living in an assisted living facility, and they receive monthly assistance to help them remain there after outliving their resources. The Short-Term Financial Assistance program is for our younger members. In this program, a crisis has occurred that is causing a financial hardship. The crisis is often medically driven, but it can also be caused by things like a loss of employment. All of our financial assistance programs have a membership requirement. You must be a Missouri Master Mason, his wife, honored widow, or female member of the Order of the Eastern Star to request an application. You must be in good standing at the time of application, or in the case of a widow, prior to his passing. There are also age and length of membership requirements. These are intended to safeguard the programs, so someone doesn’t join the fraternity simply to receive financial assistance. It is important to note that we do encourage all those in need to speak to a caseworker, even if they do not meet the guidelines.
The last Masonic Outreach magazine featured Clifford and Alice, who are in the Long-Term Financial Assistance program. 4
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Once membership is established, the financial assistance caseworkers help those in need through the application process. The Masonic Home does require that individuals use their own assets first. It is important to remember that this is a charitable assistance program (as opposed to an entitlement or benefits program). If you or someone you know might be in need of assistance, please send an email to outreach@ mohome.org or call 800-434-9804 and leave a message. For more information on our programs, please visit our website at mohome.org. I am extremely grateful to the staff and Board of Directors for the flexibility and dedication they have shown, as we move through these uncertain times, to ensure that we are able to continue the mission of the Masonic Home. For those of you who read the Museum Moment in the magazine, you have probably noticed that I have passion for the history of the fraternity and the Masonic Home. This issue's Museum Moment is about the first Superintendent, Dr. Leftwich, and Matron, Ella Leftwich, of the Masonic Home. As I pieced their story together, I was struck by the enormity of what they faced. They had to deal with ever changing house needs and shortages. Funding was highly uncertain. Support for the project initially did not have consensus with the membership. The ability to adapt to meet those changing needs during dramatically changing times was critical to the success of the Home. Equally important was the financial support to meet those needs. Again, I sit here today in my home and think about the last few weeks and how quickly things have changed. How quickly we have felt the need to adapt and change our process in these uncertain times to help those in need. The Masonic Home came into existence with the guidance of Dr. Morris and Ella Leftwich. They surely could not imagine the Masonic Home today.
However, I think they would be proud of the way the organization has evolved and adapted to meet the membership’s needs. I look forward to the day we can start rescheduling our Veteran’s Presentations. We hope you will continue to reach out to your Masonic widows. As more and more of us are forced to take a pause in our normal routines, let us use that time to reach out to others. Thank you again to the Colgins for sharing your wonderful family with us. On behalf of the Masonic Home of Missouri, please be safe and well.
Mission Statement
To assist eligible adults and children in need by practicing the principles of Freemasonry. Masonic Outreach
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THANK YOU
Lodge, Chapter bring warmth and comfort to kids though CAP By Shannon Beck
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here’s nothing quite like curling up with a warm blanket when you aren’t feeling well, and one Lodge and one Chapter are using the CreatingA-Partnership program to bring that feeling to children in need in Missouri. Project Linus began in 1995 when the mother of a pediatric cancer patient noticed that her daughter’s beloved blankie bestowed the comfort needed to get through her treatments. Charlotte Barry-Williams decided every child facing serious illness should have that comfort and launched Project Linus. 6
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Today, the organization provides blankets to any child who “is in need of a big hug” through chapters in all 50 states, which average a donation of 350 blankets per year. This includes the Kansas City Chapter which will receive blankets made from $1,000-worth of materials purchased through Bee Hive Lodge No. 393’s recent CAP project. “This was something that we could really get behind as a Lodge,” Roy Pointer of Bee Hive Lodge said of the project. “With this, a small donation really can make a big difference in someone’s life.”
The Lodge uses CAP to provide materials to the United Christian and Presbyterian Church in Lawson, which is in return providing volunteers who help make the blankets along with Lodge members. The blankets are then donated to Project Linus and go to children with serious illness or who have experienced trauma, like involvement in an accident or being placed in custody of social services throughout the Kansas City area. The Kansas City Chapter is one of seven in Missouri. To find a chapter near you, visit projectlinus.org.
Pointer encourages any Lodge looking for a CAP project to consider Project Linus as it has been a meaningful and rewarding project for his Lodge. “This is what we are here for. To help out,� Pointer said. Boone Chapter #290 is also using the CAP program to provide comfort to children through blankets, although their project is targeted at a different need. The chapter puts many hours of love and labor into making weighted blankets for autistic children receiving services at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Columbia. Weighted blankets are thought to help individuals with autism
"Weighted blankets are thought to help individuals with autism and sensory processing disorders feel calm and rest better, but come with hefty price tags."
and sensory processing disorders feel calm and rest better, but come with hefty price tags of $150-$300. CAP provides matching funds for Lodges and Chapters to help children in need within their communities. Each Lodge or Chapter in Missouri may receive up to $10,000 in matching funds each year. In Fiscal Year 2019, the Masonic Home and participating Lodges and Chapters provided $355,874 in assistance to help nearly 16,793 children statewide. If your Lodge or Chapter is interested in using the CAP program to fund a project for children in need in your community, contact Tisha Woodard at twoodard@mohome.org or by calling 800-434-9804. Masonic Outreach
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CLIENT SUCCESS
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Reasons to Dance The Masonic Home of Missouri's Children’s Outreach program helps this tight-knit family thrive By Brenna McDermott
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ophia Colgin loves to dance. So much so that when her favorite song, Katy Perry’s “Roar” comes on, she insists her parents, John and Virginia, and her sister, Sabrina, dance along too. Sophia, age 10, and her sister Sabrina, age 11, have a typical sister relationship. Sabrina looks out for and comforts her little sister, but still gets annoyed when Sophia goes into her room and plays with her dolls. Sophia has a big personality, Virginia says. She’s a girl with a big smile, who loves to laugh. “She is very sweet, she’s very kind,” Virginia says of Sophia, “She’s very stubborn, she’s very smart.” In so many ways she’s a typical kid. She’s also faced more challenges in her young life than most adults ever will. Ongoing support for Sophia from the Masonic Home of Missouri's Children’s Outreach program has given the Colgin family peace of mind and yet another reason to dance.
SIGNIFICANT HURDLES FOR THE FAMILY Sophia has Tuberous sclerosis (TSC), a rare genetic complex that causes benign tumors to grow on her brain, kidneys and heart. TSC causes developmental delay, seizures, skin abnormalities and other significant challenges. Just a short time after being born, Sophia’s seizure disorder presented itself. She has had multiple craniotomies – a surgery to open the skull – to remove tumors in an attempt to help control the seizures. Those procedures, along with various methods,
medications and trials, have helped. But she still experiences seizures often. Sophia also has developmental delays and Autism Spectrum Disorder. “Even though she’s almost 10, she’s still on a two-to-three-year-old level on most things,” Virginia says. Beyond medical care, the Colgins must contend with regular trips from their home in Potosi, Missouri, to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for doctor appointments - up to a two-hour drive each way. The Colgins need special equipment and hygiene materials for Sophia, along with countless medications and physical, occupational and speech therapy. These challenges are all expensive and require a huge investment of time. “I think probably the biggest challenge has been making sure that we have enough time for our oldest daughter, Sabrina, and not making her feel that she doesn’t get enough time with us,” Virginia says. “We want to make sure that she knows that she’s just as important. Both are our daughters, we love them both equally.” MONTHLY ASSISTANCE FOR THIS SWEET FAMILY John, a Mason, heard about a resource that might help the family. The Masonic Home of Missouri’s Children’s Outreach program could help them pay for recurring expenses. They met with Carly Dibben, an accredited financial counselor with the Masonic Home of Missouri. She worked with them to understand their financial situation and their needs. The family was on a fixed income and was sometimes Masonic Outreach
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CLIENT SUCCESS forced to make impossible financial choices. Since September 2017, the Masonic Home has provided monthly assistance for Sophia’s health care needs, like wipes and pull-ups, over-the-counter medications and medical transportation costs. That support lifted a significant expense from Virginia and John’s shoulders for what is a lifelong need for Sophia. Having the funds to afford those supplies each month means the Colgin family doesn’t have to decide between having enough pull-ups for Sophia or having enough groceries for the family. “They know that they can maintain their daughter’s hygiene and keep her healthy and happy,” Dibben says. The program also helped the family purchase school supplies, clothing and adaptive equipment for Sophia. That includes a special car seat for Sophia, who needs a harness to protect her when she has seizures. “You go into a store, they don’t make a car seat with a harness for a 10-year-old,” Virginia says. That purchase was a huge relief for Virginia, who makes those long drives with Sophia to the hospital and can’t always pull off the road if Sophia is having a seizure. WHAT IS THE CHILDREN’S OUTREACH PROGRAM? It’s not hard to see the impact the Children’s Outreach program has had on the Colgin family. They’re just one of the many beneficiaries of the program, which provides financial assistance to legal 10
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dependents of Missouri Master Masons and Missouri female members of the Order of the Eastern Star. The program provides help in the form of financial assistance with medical care and other services such as dental, hearing,
vision, therapy, and equipment. Eligible families must demonstrate a financial need and a legal guardian needs two consecutive years of Missouri Masonic membership to qualify. To receive more information about the Children’s Outreach
program, call the Masonic Home of Missouri at 800-434-9804 to speak with a financial assistance caseworker. The ongoing support from the Masonic Home has lessened the stress John and Virginia face in multiple ways; it allows them to keep up on their other bills and provides emotional relief for them. Virginia says they’re grateful to have a partner in Dibben, who listens without judgment. That was critical, Virginia says, because it’s not easy to accept help from someone else.
“The more we’ve gotten to know Carly . . . I feel comfortable,” Virginia says. “I feel like they have gotten to know our family, and they really understand what we’re going through, and they do it because they want to, not because they have to.” Virginia says that Sabrina and Sophia can tell their parents are happier and under less stress these days, thanks to the monthly support they receive. Dibben describes the Colgins as a sweet, tight-knit family. Sophia and Sabrina are always together,
whether Sabrina is helping to calm down her younger sister or playing with her the way all sisters do. “They’re just a joy to work with. They’re always so friendly and warm and open in sharing their story with us,” Dibben says. And for those who give to the Children’s Outreach program, Virginia sends her thanks. “There are families out there, especially our family, that are extremely grateful for it,” she says. “And it does make an impact on our lives more than they will know.” Masonic Outreach
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MUSEUM MOMENT
The Noblest Legacy… Left in the Hearts of Children
A tribute to Dr. Morris and Ella Leftwich By Barbara Ramsey
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he story of the Masonic Home of Missouri does not belong to one Mason or Eastern Star member, Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, or donor. However, there is a special place of honor for the Masons and Order of the Eastern Star members who fought in the face of great challenges to bring the Home into existence. Dr. Morris Leftwich and his wife, Ella, are two such people. Dr. Leftwich was the first Superintendent and Mrs. Leftwich the first Matron of the Home. Dr. Leftwich was the oldest of eight children born to Major Thomas Leftwich and Maria Warwick Leftwich. Major Leftwich inherited the “Mt. Airy” home near Leesville, Virginia, from his father. Upon its sale, he purchased a hotel in Bedford, Virginia.
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Major Leftwich served as a Major in the Confederate Army for three years until he was discharged due to poor health. After the hotel burned down and Major Leftwich was discharged from the army, the entire family moved to Carrollton, Missouri. Major Leftwich was a dentist, with substantial success until his death at age 68. Although the exact timing of the Leftwich's move is not known, the 1860 United States census records show the entire Leftwich family living in Carrollton. In 1854, Dr. Morris Leftwich graduated from the University of Virginia with his medical degree, and he married Julia H. Otley from Bedford, Virginia, in 1857. Dr. Leftwich and Julia established their own household in Carrollton, and he was a practicing
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MUSEUM MOMENT physician. They welcomed their first child, William Morris Leftwich, on December 3, 1859. The Leftwich family was not in Missouri for long before the Civil War began in 1861. The civil war did not end swiftly, despite what many had assumed and others had hoped. Missouri was an early testament to the strength of the Confederate Army with the Battle of Wilson’s Creek in August 1861 and the fall of Lexington, Missouri, in September 1861. The war had its bloodiest day on September 17, 1862, with 23,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing during the Battle of Antietam in Maryland, which ended General Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North. Following this victory, President Abraham Lincoln introduced the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order that freed every slave in the Confederate States. The toll of the war necessitated the U.S. Congress to pass the Enrollment Act of 1863, signed by President Lincoln in March. This act produced the first wartime draft of U.S. citizens in American history. The act required male citizens between the ages of 20 and 45 to register for conscription, with each congressional district assigned a recruitment quota. At age 28, Dr. Leftwich was officially caught-up into the war. The U.S. Civil War Draft Registration Records show that Dr. Leftwich registered on August 13, 1863, in Class I, which consisted of those aged 20-35 as well as those 36-45 who were unmarried. 14
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There are no further details that could be found of Dr. Leftwich’s military service. However, he and Julia would be blessed with another child, Brenda Julia Alexander, on July 23, 1864. The war would continue until April 9, 1865, when General Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to General Ulysses S. Grant. Dr. Leftwich remained in Carrollton as a practicing physician following the war. At the end of 1867, Dr. Leftwich petitioned Wakanda Lodge No. 52 to become a Missouri Mason. He was raised a Master Mason on January 16, 1868. He would go on to serve the Lodge as Master for the years 1870-1871 and 1872-1873. His dedication to the fraternity would be noted, and he went on to serve as District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th District in 1873-1874. In 1870, a tragedy would strike the Leftwich family. After 18 years of marriage, Julia Leftwich passed away. William was 11 years old and Brenda was only 6 years old. Five years later, Dr. Leftwich married Ella Walbach Dimmock.
Ella Dimmock was born in Virginia to parents Charles and Henrietta Marie Frazier Johnson Dimmock. Ella was 32 years old when she married Morris. She would become stepmother to William and Brenda, and she and Morris would not have anymore children. By 1880, Dr. Leftwich moved his family to St. Louis, where he affiliated with Occidental Lodge No. 163. During his time in St. Louis, Dr. Leftwich does not appear to be a practicing physician, rather census records list him as a flour broker. The Modern Miller, a St. Louis publication, would state that for many years Dr. Leftwich was a leading flour merchant in the St. Louis area. Despite Dr. Leftwich’s success as a businessman, he would retire to take a new opportunity to become the first Superintendent of the Masonic Home of Missouri, and Ella would take on the position of Matron. On April 1, 1889, they moved into the Home bringing with them much of their own furniture to help establish it. The Home needed work before it was ready for residents and
the dedication on June 15, 1889. Some improvements to the property were cosmetic, but more important improvements made it functional for its new purpose, such as the addition of city water that allowed the installation of “baths, wash-rooms, water closets, etc.” In addition, electricity was brought to the Home and the dining room was enlarged. It would take time before the first resident would arrive. On July 12, 1889, a young girl named Della Gale Farthing, age 12, from Greenfield Lodge No. 446 was admitted. Her younger brother, Stephen B. Farthing, would join her just 12 days later. At Grand Lodge Annual Communication in October 1890, Dr. Leftwich reported that 25 residents were admitted to the Home that first year. The Home welcomed “12 girls, seven boys, five widows and one maiden lady.”
In that first year, Mrs. Leftwich sent out a mailing to the Lodges asking for donations to purchase an organ for the Home. The children went to public school at Dozier, about a mile from the Home, and one child went to school at Stoddard. Education would always be a top priority for
the children of the Home, and Dr. Leftwich would ensure that the children were doing well at school in both “deportment [behavior] and lessons”. In addition to academics, Mrs. Leftwich felt music was important for the children. In that first year, she sent out a mailing to the Lodges asking for donations to purchase an organ for the Home. One hundred forty-five lodges responded, enabling the purchase of an organ and song books, with the remaining funds given to the general fund. In addition, money and books were donated to the Home to start a library. Dr. and Mrs. Leftwich faced skepticism by some when they were selected for the position. The Board of Directors investigated all complaints and concerns. It quickly became apparent that Dr. and Mrs. Leftwich were up to
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MUSEUM MOMENT
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the challenges despite the critics. Dr. Vincil, Home Committee Chairman, reported to the Grand Lodge in 1890: It must be said to the credit of the Superintendent and Matron that they have won and held the love of the children as if their own. I never saw little humanity more devoted than are these, our wards, to Dr. and Mrs. Leftwich. They know how to win, govern, and control their charges. The aged inmates regard them as their friends, and feel truly
at “home” with the managers, being satisfied with the management. The Home continued to grow, necessitating converting the barn into a dining room, kitchen, supply room and play room. The gardener’s cabin and coal house were converted into dormitories. The Home was barely open for two years and it was already at capacity for housing with the anticipation of many more applications coming. The converting of the barn into the dining room also enabled them to hold religious services. Invitations were sent to the various lodges in the city to visit on Sunday for these services. The Home received an overwhelmingly positive response, and over time Sunday services were regularly held with the support of various Lodges, Commanderies, and Order of the Eastern Star Chapters. Lodges and Chapters also began the yearly tradition of ensuring that all within the Home were remembered and celebrated at Christmas. In the 1891 Superintendent’s Report to the Grand Lodge, it was reported that, of the residents living in the Home, two were from the city of St. Louis and the remaining 36 were from country Lodges. This spoke to the need for statewide financial support for the Home. Since its inception, the Home had been running on donations. The Board of Directors was now asking for per capita support from the membership. While the Home had its supporters, there were others not certain if the endeavor should be pursued or supported
by the membership. Despite those with misgivings, it was decided at Grand Lodge Annual Communication all lodges would contribute 50 cents per capita dues for each member in support of the Home. The Board continued to try to educate the membership on how the Home was being managed. Some in the membership were particularly interested in understanding how “their development and training as to habits of industry”, as it related to the children, was being handled. The Superintendent wrote a lengthy letter explaining that girls were taught to cook, sew, wash and iron, and do housework in addition to cleaning their own rooms and schoolwork. Boys were also responsible for their schoolwork and cleaning their own rooms along with mowing and keeping the yard and outhouses in order, splitting kindling wood, gathering fruit and vegetables, pulling weeds, making fires, cleaning and lighting lamps. Within the first five years, the Leftwichs saw the admittance of 85 residents. The buildings were at capacity. There was no longer space available to the children for a play room, which was of great concern as they headed into winter. Laundry services was another significant problem. Religious services had become an important event each Sunday, but the dining room was being used to hold them. This created a problem on Sundays for meals, and there was talk beginning about the need for a chapel. Masonic Outreach
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The Board of Directors battled shortage of space and overcrowding. In addition, there was a pressing need for a hospital to remove those who were ill from the rest of the population. The strain on the need for funding was ever present, but the Board battled another problem – rumors: It is an old truth, well established, that “falsehood travels rapidly and gathers as it goes, while truth is sluggish.” Rumors that are set afloat, as rumors, soon become actual facts in the estimation of those who circulate them, and it is impossible to correct them. - Noah Givan, Masonic Home President, 1894, Grand Lodge Proceedings The Board of Directors investigated claims against management, but repeatedly determined they were unfounded. The membership was encouraged to visit the Home and personally learn more about its operations for themselves. Seven years into their management, and the Home continued to struggle with the rapidly increasing population, with an added complexity of shifting demographics. When the Home opened, it was comprised of mainly children. Now, there is an increasing need for housing for older adults – men and women. The housing crisis for older adults was momentarily alleviated with the gift of two buildings. One building added 13 rooms for older members, a laundry room, and a storage room. The other provided an additional three resident rooms.
Given the various housing issues, the Board and Superintendent determined a new building was necessary. It would have a fullsize dining room on the first floor, dormitories on the second floor along with nurseries, and additional dormitories on the third floor. The building would be built with wide halls and verandas, and fire escapes for the safety of the residents. The basement would have a kitchen, pantry, storage room, rooms for a cook and housekeeper, large sewing room, and storage for housing clothing out of season. However, cost was a concern. Was it prudent to use the funds to build another building? May 27, 1896, forced the issue. Just after 5 p.m. what would become known as the “Great Cyclone” or the “Great St. Louis Tornado” touched down. In less than half an hour, the tornado carved a path through St. Louis, making it one of the top five deadliest storms in United States history. The Home property suffered damage with the most significant being the removal of the dining room roof. The Home had cyclone insurance, so the financial loss was mitigated, but it ultimately forced the Board to move forward with the new building. In addition to building issues, the Board continued to try and educate the membership on the functionality of the Home. It reiterated again that discipline was necessary to maintain order in a household of 100-plus, as was the willingness of everyone to contribute what they were able. President Given states in his 1896 report to Grand Lodge: Masonic Outreach
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MUSEUM MOMENT We do not desire to trouble the Grand Lodge with a rehearsal of difficulties of the management of the Home, but we respectfully suggest that the members of the Lodges who send inmates [a term for residents at the time] to the Home exercise care not to give those whom they send the idea that they are going to a hotel and will have nothing to do and have servants to wait upon them. Nine years into their service, the new building had been built along with a chapel by the Order of the Eastern Star. The Home was admitting more older people than younger, and the challenges of keeping the two populations separate with appropriate housing accommodations continued to grow. As the problem continued, the difficult decision was made in 1898 to stop accepting adult applications. The Board decided to prioritize housing for orphans. The 1889 Proceedings contain the tenth and final annual report to the Grand Lodge by Superintendent Leftwich. On October 18, 1898, Dr. Leftwich turned in his resignation to the Board of Directors. There was initially concern that Dr. Leftwich resigned over the rumors. The Board went to great lengths to reiterate that Dr. Leftwich had been fully exonerated after a thorough and rigid investigation. The Board would quickly learn the true reason Dr. Leftwich resigned – he knew he was dying. When Dr. and Mrs. Leftwich left the Home, they moved to their daughter’s home in St. Louis. Dr. Leftwich passed away on December 4, 1898. Dr. Leftwich’s funeral would take place in the beautiful new chapel built by the Order of 20
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The Board would quickly learn the true reason Dr. Leftwich resigned – he knew he was dying. the Eastern Star on the Home’s property. The American Tyler, a masonic publication, reported on the service. There were roughly 80 or more children who were cared for at the Home in attendance ranging in ages from babies to girls and boys of 18 years. On the north side of the chapel, were the older residents of the Home. The children “with the sweetest of voices, tremulous and shaken by sobs” sang the gospel song “There’ll be no dark valley when Jesus comes.” The article states that emotions could barely be contained after the tribute from the children. As the minister stepped forward, he struggled to contain his emotions but “in the tenderest words he paid tribute to the memory of the superintendent”: Dr. Leftwich had imparted the best of his many good qualities to the children under his charge and the lessons he taught them would live forever in their lives. After Dr. Leftwich passed away, Ella lived with her stepchildren until she was admitted to the
Home as a resident on June 18, 1914. She was admitted to the Home from Occidental Lodge No. 163. She was a resident of the Home until her passing on May 1, 1925. After her service in the O.E.S. Chapel, she was laid to rest next to Morris in the Masonic Home section in Bellefontaine Cemetery. In the 1899 Grand Lodge Proceedings, Dr. Leftwich is memorialized: His successful conduct of the Home stands as a monument to his memory-more lasting than the eternal hills, more enduring than brass. The noblest legacy that Brother Leftwich leaves is in the hearts of the children. He kissed away the falling tear of sorrow, he soothed the sobbing heart, he made glad the soul of the fatherless and lent cheer to the trembling and tottering steps of the aged. Who could desire or wish for a more heaven-born mission? To few men comes such a ministry. Few can fill it so well. References: The Modern Miller, St. Louis, November 26, 1898, page 11. U.S. Census Records 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1910 Arthur Maurice Smith, Joseph E. Morcombe, Richard Pride The American Tyler, Volume 13 page 407. Grand Lodge of Missouri, A.M. & F.M. Proceedings 1888 through 1899 Walter Lee Hopkins, LeftwichTurner Families of Virginia, Richmond VA: J.W. Fergusson and Sons, 1931. Masonic Home of Missouri archives U.S. Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863
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FINANCIAL EDU
Financially Securing a Special Needs Child’s Future By Carly Dibben, Accredited Financial Counselor
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ost parents anticipate and plan savings for their child’s financial future – squirreling away funds for education costs, the purchase of a new car, or a wedding celebration. There are many excellent options available to ensure that as their children become adults, they have financial security. But for families of children with special needs, the options are far more limited. Savings and assets can jeopardize a disabled child’s ability to obtain or retain needed federal and state benefits. This causes a dilemma for many families, forcing them to choose between saving for a secure financial future for their disabled child or allowing them to become impoverished as they reach adulthood to retain needed benefits. However, it is possible to save for a special needs child’s future without risking their benefits in the process. The two most secure ways to plan for their future are special needs trusts and ABLE accounts.
SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS
There are two different types of special needs trusts (SNT)—firstparty SNT and third-party SNT. The main purpose of these trusts is to provide disabled persons with the opportunity to retain assets and the income those assets generate, without negatively impacting their ability to maintain 22
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their government benefits. These trusts are very similar but have some differences in how they are funded and how the assets are managed and disseminated. A family member or legal guardian of a disabled person under the age of 65 can create a first-party SNT. It must be funded solely by the disabled person’s income, investments, or personal and real property. The first-party trust is used most often when a disabled person receives an inheritance or settlement to ensure these new assets don’t disqualify them from continuing to receive government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. However, the beneficiary of the first-party trust has no control
of the assets they have saved; the trust must be managed by a trustee. Another stipulation of the first-party SNT is that it must have a payback provision to the state. This ensures that any remaining assets in the trust after the beneficiary’s death will go to the state as repayment for any public assistance they received. The third-party SNT is similar to the first-party SNT in that they both allow the beneficiary to retain assets without risking the loss of their federal and state income and benefits. Also similarly, the beneficiary has no legal control of the assets in the trust. These trusts differ in that the third-party SNT is funded with the assets of a third party. Since the third-party SNT is not the beneficiary’s income
and assets, it is not subject to the payback provision. Any remaining assets in the third-party SNT would be distributed to whomever the originator of the trust chooses. While SNTs have their obvious benefits, they also have their drawbacks. First, since neither of these trusts allows the beneficiary the latitude to manage these trusts for themselves, it leaves the beneficiary vulnerable to financial exploitation and restricts their personal freedom to spend their money how they wish. Also, these trusts can create tax issues if not managed correctly. There can also be consequences to those who fund a third-party SNT should they find that they themselves suddenly require disability benefits. Any assets placed into a third-party SNT is considered a transfer of assets, which will disqualify them from Medicaid. They would not be able to recover the assets placed in the trust, as those assets must be used solely for the beneficiary once placed in the trust.
ABLE ACCOUNTS
The ABLE account, also known as an Achieving a Better Life Experience account, is the result of Congress passing the ABLE Act in 2014. These accounts are modeled after the 529 college savings account and are a tax-free savings option, allowing people with disabilities to save for their care. Like the SNT, these accounts can be opened by family members, legal guardians, or a power of attorney of a special needs child. Unlike the SNT, these accounts can also be opened by the person with special
needs themselves. This provides the disabled person the freedom to manage and access the funds in these accounts for themselves. Also, like the SNT, the funds in an ABLE account cannot be counted towards available assets, therefore removing the threat of losing Medicaid and SSI benefits. Almost every state has approved legislation for ABLE accounts, but the terms vary from state to state. Regardless of the state you reside in, you can make aftertax contributions up to $15,000 annually, with deposits totaling up to $100,000 into an ABLE account. The account balance can grow beyond the $100,000 contribution maximum with earned interest. Another benefit is that the state of Missouri offers an income tax deduction for contributions made to an ABLE account up to $8,000 for single filers and $15,000 for joint filers. A Missouri ABLE account is easy to open online with a minimum
opening deposit of $50. They are FDIC insured and investments are managed by Vanguard Group Inc. and Fifth Third Bank. The biggest drawback to an ABLE account is that they have much more strict qualifying criteria than the SNT. The beneficiary of the account must have been disabled before the age of 26 and meet at least one of the following: 1) eligible to receive SSI or SSDI due to their disability, 2) have a condition listed on the Social Security Administration’s list of Compassionate Allowances conditions, or 3) have selfcertification of a diagnosis of a physical or mental impairment that causes functional limitation and is expected to last for more than a year. While neither option is without their flaws, both the SNT and ABLE account are sound and secure investment options that allow family members to save and shelter assets for their disabled children. Currently, the ABLE account is the more popular option as it provides the child with the most control of their funds and reduces possible loss to mismanagement. Regardless which of these savings vehicles are chosen, family members of special needs children are provided peace of mind knowing that their disabled children will have some financial security as they enter adulthood and still be able to keep their benefits. For more information on SNTs, contact a bank you trust. For information specific to opening an ABLE account, please visit www.ablenrc.org. Masonic Outreach
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AGENCY SPOTLIGHT
Quality Care and the Future of Autism Thompson Center provides vital services, support to autism patients and families. By Shannon Beck
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hildren and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurological disorders often need more support and specialized care than what they can receive through their primary care doctors. For many families in Missouri, that support and care comes from the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri, a national leader in confronting the challenges of ASD and other developmental conditions through its collaborative research, training and service programs. “I think in a way, the Thompson Center saved our family because it gave us a rallying point,” says Myles Hinkel. Myles and his wife, Lora, are parents of a Thompson Center patient with ASD. The Thompson Center offers a range of health, educational and behavioral services in one location for individuals with autism and other developmental concerns. Professionals from different disciplines strive to deliver family-centered care that is comprehensive and coordinated. “The Thompson Center offers so many choices in one environment that you have the 24
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option of being a part of research, you have the option of getting different kinds of therapies,” says Lora. “The Thompson Center works together in that more team approach, really looking at the whole child instead of just one piece of the child.” Medical management, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social skills groups, parent trainings, applied behavioral analysis and research are just a few services parents and patients will find under one roof at the Thompson Center. For many parents, the Thompson Center offers another less tangible benefit—support and understanding. “I was completely devastated when Sam was diagnosed,” says
Alicia Curran, a Thompson Center parent. “I didn’t have anyone around me in our small community that really knew about autism, and it wasn’t until we started coming to the Thompson Center that I really had that support.” The Thompson Center was inaugurated in 2005 with a generous gift from William and Nancy Thompson. Based on the medical home model, Thompson
Center diagnostic, assessment and treatment services emphasize family-centered care that is comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, culturally sensitive and accessible for all. The center aims to support families from the point of initial contact through access to needed services in the community, with routine follow-up care over time to ensure the best possible
outcome for each child and family. The Thompson Center relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations to maintain a high level of quality care for patients while changing the future of autism via education, training and research. To support the Thompson Center, visit thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/ thompson-center-6/support-thethompson-center Masonic Outreach
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HEALTH
Designed for the Senses Creating welcoming public spaces for people with sensory processing disorders By Shannon Beck
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eemingly basic tasks like going shopping, visiting the dentist, or grabbing an ice cream cone that are simple parts of daily life for neurotypical individuals can produce debilitating anxiety in people with autism spectrum disorder, but some intentional design choices can make our public spaces more easily enjoyed by children and adults living with ASD. Businesses and organizations with public offices and community gathering places such as libraries or recreation centers can all
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make some changes to increase accessibility for autistic people, helping them live fuller and more independent lives. People with ASD often experience sensory inputs differently than neurotypical people. For example, they may hear at much higher decibels and may see flickering of light waves that the typical brain simply doesn’t perceive. These heightened perceptions make it easy for the person to become overwhelmed. “It’s not about adhering to rigid codes,” Dr. Magda
Mostafa, Associate Professor of Architecture at the American University of Cairo said of her work in creating autism-friendly spaces in an interview with the Autism Network. “It’s more about thinking about design in a different way,” she says. While ASD advocacy and research groups like the Autism Network and Autism Speaks suggest some simple environmental changes such as ditching fluorescent lightbulbs and using solid, calming colors like green and blue on walls,
floors, curtains, and furniture, Dr. Mostafa dedicated a decade of research to developing a more robust set of guidelines. Dr. Mostafa created a system called ASPECTSS, which outlines seven key points to consider when designing a space that will not overwhelm individuals with ASD. 1. Acoustics: Minimizing background noise, reverberation, and echos are key to this guideline. 2. Spatial Sequencing: This guideline works with autistic people’s need for routine and predictability by arranging a space in a way that makes sense according to the schedule of activities. For example, at a doctor’s office, placing the check-in window at the entrance. 3. Escape Space: Providing a low-sensory area within a room or building where kids can retreat if they feel overstimulated. This space should be quiet, with lowlighting and a few choices for light stimulation. 4. Compartmentalization: Partitioning a room or building so that every area has a clearly defined purpose helps people with ASD make sense of their environment. 5. Transitions: Clearly marked transitions from one compartment to the next or one sensory input level to the next helps people with ASD stay “calibrated”. 6. Sensory Zoning: Separating physical areas by highsensory and low-sensory
Any changes that can be made have the potential to make your space more welcoming for a person who may otherwise struggle to complete daily tasks or find social outlets. activity helps autistic kids and adults adjust to their surroundings. 7. Safety: Autistic children, in particular can have difficulty sensing danger. Some precautions to keep them safe include covering electrical outlets, adjusting water heaters so that scalding temperatures are not available, keeping scissors and knives out of reach, and rounding or softening corners.
While ASPECTSS is a robust system of guidelines, Dr. Mostafa encourages adapters to use the points that work for their space and not get hung up on following every single guideline. Any changes that can be made have the potential to make your space more welcoming for a person who may otherwise struggle to complete daily tasks or find social outlets. If you are not ready to dive into the ASPECTSS guidelines, but want to create a space where people with ASD feel welcome and included, consider ways you can make your space calmer. Stand in the space and pay attention to what you hear and smell. If those sounds and tastes were magnified to your brain, could they be overwhelming? Is there a way to reduce them? Do you have fluorescent light bulbs you could swap for LEDs? Do you have patterned wallpaper or carpet you could replace or cover? Is there a lot of clutter? Addressing any of these potential sources of sensory overload is a good place to start. Masonic Outreach
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IN THE NEWS
Broaching the Subject How to talk about mental health with your children. By Brandon Grammer
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s parents, friends, and members of the Missouri community, we all shoulder a responsibility to nurture and protect our youth. Sure, we’re responsible for clothing them, feeding them and educating them, but that responsibility also extends into areas many adults are uncomfortable addressing. 28
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According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, studies conducted by the CDC have shown that 1 in 5 children lives with mental health issues. US Department of Health and Human Services also found that 1 in 10 young people have suffered through a period of major depression. The emergence of online bullying coupled with
the fact that suicide remains the tenth leading cause of death in the United States brings to light an alarming picture. Rallying cries like “stop the stigma� always tend to focus on providing outreach and support for adults when the mental health of our children deserves just as much consideration. Many children fall into the same trappings of suffering in silence. For those suffering from mental illnesses, fear of embarrassment can only be cured by conversation. For children, in particular, those living at home are the first line of defense for recognizing
the warning signs. Slipping grades, disinterest, or lethargy are considered red flags, but the reality is that families have a tough time deciphering the signals. Families struggling to distinguish between “it’s just a phase” and genuine warning signs should look for sudden changes and use outside resources to help assess the situation. School faculty members, family friends, and any other individuals close to your loved one are always available to provide assistance. Have they noticed similar changes? If so, it’s time to get help.
STEPS TO TAKE:
If you think your child might be struggling with mental health issues, you’re already one step closer to helping them. Noticing something is “off ” is oftentimes one of the most challenging parts of the recovery process. Second, open a dialogue between you and your loved one. Discuss their issues openly and honestly and from a place of compassion. Lastly, seek help from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker. Mental health disorders are genuine health issues, and like any other diagnosis, the sooner a patient receives treatment the better the outcome will be.
HOW DO YOU HAVE THE CONVERSATION?
Discussing mental health with a loved one can feel uncomfortable, but focusing on that feeling is the wrong mindset. If you find yourself struggling to broach the initial conversation with your
child or “find the right time”, take a step back and remind yourself about the importance of finding your child the help they require. Avoiding an awkward conversation is never more important than the well-being of your child. When discussing mental health with your child, talk to them as you would any other adult. No matter their issue, treat them with respect, compassion, and empathy. Express your concern for their mental health genuinely and reaffirm your support. As the conversation develops, ask your child questions and encourage honest answers by taking their responses seriously and without judgment. Remind your loved one that their mental health is a medical issue. There are resources available for help, and their issues can be medically diagnosed and treated. It’s important to note that the conversation doesn’t end when the two of you leave the dinner table. Continue to foster the relationship of openness and honesty between you and your child as it pertains to mental health, but also seize the opportunity to educate others. By expanding the knowledge base of others, you will help ease the recovery process for those suffering from mental illness.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
There are many resources available across Missouri specifically for young people suffering from mental health issues. For example,
Missouri Mental Health Resources
The Arthur Center http://www.arthurcenter.com/ The Missouri Department of Mental Health https://dmh.mo.gov/mental-illness The Family Counseling Center of Missouri, Inc. http://www.fccinc.org/
National Resources
MentalHealth.Gov https://www.mentalhealth.gov/gethelp/immediate-help Mental Health America https://www.mhanational.org/ National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org
the Missouri Psychiatric Center in Columbia aids youth undergoing mental crises ages five to 17 through inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services. The National Alliance on Mental Illness shares the same mental health mission of “improving the lives not just of individuals with mental illness, but of the entire family”. When considering your options, remember that help for mental health issues comes in any number of forms, including counseling, hospitalization and medication. As you and your child head down the road to recovery, place a priority on striking the right balance between deferring to the experts and being your child’s advocate. Masonic Outreach
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WHAT’S IN THE NUMBERS?
18 weighted blankets donated to autistic children in Missouri through Creating-A-Partnership. More than Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.
50% of 1 in 59 children had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as of 2018, according to the CDC.
children with autism have chronic sleep problems.
$163,723 in assistance provided by the Masonic Home of Missouri to families of children with disabilities.
Mothers of children with autism work
Depression affects
26% of adults with autism.
31% of children with ASD have an intellectual disability.
On average, autism costs
$60,000 per year through childhood.
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56%
less than mothers of children with no health limitations.
48
states, including Missouri, passed autism insurance legislation.
EVENTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MONDAY, AUGUST 31 Gift deadline for 2020 Vincil Society and Truman Club recognition SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Truman Club Dinner Country Club of Missouri, Columbia, MO SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Masonic Home Open House Masonic Complex, Columbia, MO MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 THROUGH TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Masonic Home of Missouri booth at Grand Lodge Annual Communication Holiday Inn Executive Center, Columbia, MO MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Masonic Home Representatives’ Luncheon featuring Partnership Awards and Vincil Society Awards Holiday Inn Executive Center, Columbia, MO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 new date Masonic Home of Missouri 18th Annual Charity Golf Tournament sponsored by Commerce Trust Company benefitting the Masonic Home Partnership Programs Columbia Country Club, Columbia, MO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Masonic Home of Missouri booth at Grand Chapter Session Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, MO DECEMBER 31 Deadline for 2020 donations
Visit us at www.mohome.org for an upto-date calendar of events. Masonic Outreach
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for d e l u d e h Resc
, Oc y a d i r F
tober 9
New Date!
The Masonic Home of Missouri's 18th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Friday, October 9, 2020 Columbia Country Club, Columbia, MO
All proceeds benefit the Masonic Home of Missouri Partnership Programs.
Almost 27,000 were impacted during FY2019 through these programs. Special sponsorship opportunities available for lodges and chapters. Call Julie Kirchhoff at 800-434-9804.