PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
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n high school, Orvella Wright exchanged letters back and forth with a pen pal who lived in Europe. Now, thanks to the Masonic Home of Missouri’s newest expansion of the Masonic Family Cares program, she is getting the chance to write letters again. Launched this fall, Masons and members of the Order of the Eastern Star can now participate in a pen pal program. The Masonic Home hopes to connect individuals who might feel like making a new friend during a time when so many of us feel isolated while staying safe amid the pandemic. “I really like writing letters better than email,” Orvella says. “I thought it would be fun to write a person I didn’t know and get acquainted.”
CARE PACKAGES AND LETTERS
The program was born out of a simple goal, says Dana Morgenthaler, an outreach caseworker at the Masonic Home. She has heard from Masonic Home clients and their families that, because of the necessary isolation, many people feel lost or in need of some companionship. “They can’t see family if they’re in a facility — you wave at your family or friends through your window, that kind of stuff,” Dana says. “So, people were just feeling lonely.” Dana is in charge of pairing pen pals who would enjoy getting to know one another, whether by email, phone or letter. The Masonic Home sent out the first notice about the program in the Order of the Eastern Star care packages that went to clients, who could decide whether to participate.
FIRST EXCHANGES
Orvella, a 45-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star who lives in Jefferson City, was one of the first to respond. An active member, Orvella has been feeling isolated since Eastern Star events have been put on hold this year, and she has stayed home. Dana knew the perfect pen pal for Orvella and called Betty Hurt to ask. Betty, also a dedicated member of the Order of the Eastern Star, said yes. Though new, their pen pal correspondence has already begun. 6
Masonic Outreach
