WINTER 2011 - ISSUE No.29
Masonic Home of Missouri
Fore! Kids!
NOTES from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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t is my great pleasure to say, this year we have placed a great deal of attention and time on planning for the future of the Masonic Home of Missouri. With this in mind we have turned our discussions to the Masonic Home’s Development Program and begun to prepare goals and benchmarks that will best assist us in accomplishing our objectives. Many suggestions and thoughts have been discussed on how to best support the programs of the Masonic Home by strengthening our Development Program both inside and out. As we begin to place some of these ideas into motion we continue to believe collectively that providing information and knowledge on our programs and - what our supporters are providing for - is an instrumental part of educating and growing as an organization. Many of you have already decided to take that serious step in providing for your fellow members by leaving behind legacies that will last a lifetime; others have just begun their journey. Whether it is by joining the Truman Club and making a commitment to give regularly or through supporting our appeals that you receive in November/December (Holiday Fund Drive) or April/May (Grand Master’s Appeal), each gift is evidence of the desire you have as Brothers and Sisters to see our good works continue. It is our hope this year to expand your thoughts into new ways of giving whether it’s through an annual appeal, our golf outing, purchasing a paver stone, making the decision to leave a legacy through an estate gift, or through the Masonic Home Magazine. In addition to exploring these new possibilities; we also want to make donating easier than before by providing ways to do so on-line through our website. As your charity, we know it is only through vision and your commitment to partnership we are able to accomplish these goals. As we forge ahead this year we ask you consider making a commitment and truly learn about all of the good works you are accomplishing daily through the Masonic Home as you never know when you may be sitting next to someone you have helped to provide for! Fraternally,
Keith Neese Executive Director
Save the Date 6th Annual Truman Club Dinner Saturday, September 24, 2011
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PHILANTHROPY & YOU
Ways to Pay It Forward Life insurance is an asset you may not think of donating to the Masonic Home of Missouri until you hear how powerful, practical and simple it can be.
How It Works
When you own a life insurance policy with accumulated cash value, you're essentially sitting on a pile of money. When the original purpose for the protection no longer applies—such as to educate children now grown or to provide financial security for a spouse now deceased—your life insurance can be redirected to help support a worthwhile cause. One option is simply to name the Masonic Home of Missouri as the primary beneficiary. (Naming us as beneficiary while you retain ownership of the policy, however, does not qualify you for an income tax deduction.) Or, you can name us as the beneficiary and also assign us ownership of the policy as a current charitable gift. Doing so provides you tax benefits as outlined below.
How you Benefit
When you assign us ownership of a life insurance policy and also name us as the beneficiary, the following good things happen: •You receive an income tax charitable deduction, available under most circumstances. •You realize tax savings from use of the deduction, and these savings can be invested for future income. •You reduce your future estate tax liability.
Did you know?
If you are concerned that supporting our work will reduce your family’s inheritance, a new life insurance policy equal to your charitable gift can replace the value of your loved ones’ inheritance.
Donating a New Policy
Perhaps you don't own an existing policy but still realize how beneficial giving life insurance can be. If so, you can—in most states—purchase a new insurance policy and name a qualified charity like ours as the beneficiary and owner of the policy. Rather than paying premiums to the insurance company, you make tax-deductible cash gifts to cover the annual premiums. Even greater leverage is possible when two donors, usually spouses, purchase a two-life second-to-die policy. With two lifetimes before the payment of death benefits, a future gift to us will cost you even less. Please contact the Masonic Home office at 800-434-9804 if we can answer any questions you have about this way to support our work.
WWW.MOHOME.ORG
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PHILANTHROPY & YOU
The Donor Profile Kyle & Yvette Palacios
Bro. Palacios and his wife Yvette were both born and raised in St. Louis. Kyle attended Affton High School and Yvette attended Bayless. During their teenage years Kyle was involved in DeMolay and Yvette was active in Rainbow. It was during a DeMolay and Rainbow event that Kyle and Yvette met for the first time. Although the look across the room was, “WOW” they did end up parting ways. Yvette attended St. Louis University, obtaining a degree in social work. Kyle enrolled at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau. Nine years later in 1982, while Kyle was playing music in a local bar, he and Yvette met once more and their relationship was rekindled. They married in 1985 and were blessed a few years later with their daughter who just started her college career at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Kyle was initiated in Gardenville-Cache Lodge No. 455 in 1988 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1999. When asked why it took so long between the first and third degrees, he said, “I was young and trying to get my career
GroupCast, LLC in Sunset Hills. It is a voice broadcasting company whose main focus is communication going. After being initiated I realized from school to parent. GroupCast the commitment it would take so I was founded in 2002 and is now waited until I could fully make that serving schools in all 50 states, commitment.” Canada and the Caribbean. He is also In 2002 and 2009, Kyle served as the ‘voice’ of GroupCast, so if you Worshipful Master. He is a Member have a child in a MO school, chances of the York Rite, a Past High Priest are you’ve heard him introduce a of Keystone Chapter #146, and he message from your child’s school. also belongs to Jeremiah Council #48, As a pioneer in voice broadcasting, Ascalon Commandry #16, St. Louis he has helped guide the industry’s Concave Red Cross of Constantine, transformation from a niche service Limerick Council- Knight Masons and to an integral form of corporate and just last fall joined the Valley of St. school communication. He also uses Louis Scottish Rite – Rose Croix. it to communicate with his Lodge For the last 10 years, Yvette and other Masonic entities in the St. has been a nurse for Bayless School Louis area. District in St. Louis. Kyle has been In their spare time Yvette is all trying to get her to retire, but he says about being a mom. They both enjoy she likes the punishment. concerts, shows and they have a big Kyle is the co-owner of a love for the St. Louis Cardinals. Kyle communications company called is an avid musician who collects
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rock-n-roll and country memorabilia. He has collected things such as guitars, albums, and posters, all signed by artists such as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones to name only a few. His basement is known as a miniature Hard Rock Café, equipped with studio and stage so artists and musicians can come and play. When told that it was nice of Yvette to let him have his own haven in the basement, he said, “Oh, she’s got it pretty good with the whole house upstairs.” When asked, why they have chosen to support the Masonic Home they responded, “Because it is the number one best program we have going.” The Board of Directors and staff would like to thank Kyle and Yvette for their generous support.
MASONIC HOME of MISSOURI EVENTS
Masonic Home of Missouri Area Presentations
All Masonic brothers, sisters, wives, widows and family members, we invite you to attend a Masonic Home meeting in the area closest to you. All lodges that do attend will receive Achievement Award points as if you were hosting a Masonic Home presentation in your own lodge. Scheduling for presentations will resume at the end of May. Please refer to the list below for the current presentations available. Should you have questions about the upcoming scheduling in May, please contact Sara Snodderley, Director of Public Relations at 800434-9804.
Date
Lodge
City
Presentation Begins
3-21 3-23 3-23
Lathrop Lodge No. 506 Cecile-Daylight Lodge No. 305 MHM Assisted Living Facility
Lathrop, MO Indep., MO Kansas City, MO
7:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
4-4 4-5 4-7 4-11 4-20 4-27
Clay Lodge No. 207 Algabil-Freedom Lodge No. 636 Centralia Lodge No. 59 Kirksville Lodge No. 105 Branson Lodge No. 587 Anderson Lodge No. 621
Excelsior Springs, MO Mehlville, MO Centralia, MO Kirksville, MO Branson, MO Anderson, MO
7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
5-10 5-12 5-17 5-23
Adelphi Lodge No. 355 Sparta Lodge No. 296 w/Henderson Lodge No. 477 Hebron Lodge No. 354 Versailles Lodge No. 320
Edgerton, MO Sparta, MO
7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Mexico, MO Versailles, MO
6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
6-14
Poplar Bluff No. 209
Poplar Bluff, MO
5:30 p.m.
Coming Soon....
To a mailbox near you....
The Grand Masters Appeal We hope you will take the time to read over the Grand Master’s Appeal that will be sent out in April. WWW.MOHOME.ORG
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PHILANTHROPY & YOU
The Donor Profile William Van Meter
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orn in Jasper, Arkansas, Bro. Bill Van Meter moved with his family to several different parts of the country such as California, Oklahoma, and back to Arkansas before finally settling in Kansas City, Missouri in 1950. It was here in Missouri Bill found his home. In 1958 he graduated from North East High School in Kansas City. After graduation, Bill joined the work force and became an over the road (OTR) truck driver for Commercial Freight. In 1965 Bill was drafted during the Vietnam War. He was one of the lucky ones who was allowed a choice on which branch of military he wanted to join, he chose the Navy. Bro. Bill remained state side for two years on shore duty in San Diego, California. In 1967 his duty to his country ended and Bill returned to Commercial Freight. Over the course of 20 years Bill drove all over the Midwest and what started out as Commercial Freight was bought out seven times until finally the terminal Bill worked out of was closed and eventually the whole company shut down. In 1985, Bill went to work for Yellow Freight and retired from Yellow Freight in 1995. With retirement comes more time and Bill decided to use it well. On June 19, 1995, Bill was raised to the degree of Master Mason in Country Club Lodge No. 656. He is also a member of Cecile Daylight Lodge No. 305. He has served as Worshipful Master in both lodges in 1998, 2003, 2006, 2010 and is currently Worshipful Master of Cecile Daylight. He has also served as DDGL for Districts 22B and 18. Four years ago - with the help of a fellow brother - Bill petitioned for membership in Holy Land Lodge No. 50 in Tel Aviv, Israel and was approved. Bill has been blessed in life with four children, one daughter and three sons. They have further blessed him with five grandchildren and a great-grandson. He stays busy with not only his craft work, but spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoys taking them fishing. He also enjoys golfing, but doesn’t get to play very much these days. On the side, Bill collects stamps and coins. He says some like to say he’s a “junk collector”, but he believe’s he just a “collector” that’s all. Bill belongs to several charitable organizations, volunteering his time and his resources. He is also an Annual Member of the Truman Club, steadily working toward the Lewis and Clark Society Level. When asked why he supports the Masonic Home, he said, “Because it’s one of the best charities. I know when I give I am supporting my fellow brothers and sisters, my family. Its one of the finest places I know. I love having the opportunity to help my fellow man.” The Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors and staff would like to thank Bill for all his support and foot work he does for our organization.
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FROM the BRETHREN
Creating-A-Partnership Continuing to Assist Schools Across the State!
School Offical, Cindy Ward, Brother Loren Carriker, and Brother John Balman of Jackson Lodge No. 82 have teamed up with the Masonic Home of Missouri to help provide for children within their community who are in need. The Creating-A-Partnership program is for children infant - 12th grade. Jackson Lodge and the Masonic Home are helping to provide funding for items; which range from backpacks, pencils, hats, coats, clothing and even hygiene products. The list of needed items is compiled and given to the lodge; the lodge then provides funding for the items with additional matching funds available from the Masonic Home. Once all items are purchased, they are privately distributed to children who are in need. It is exciting to see what a difference these items make in the lives of the children receiving them. We thank Cindy Ward for her assistance in gathering the information necessary to fulfill these needs.
Left to Right: RWB Loren Carriker, Cindy Ward and Bro. John Balman
Washington Elementary School: We wish to thank Sedalia Lodge No. 236 and the Masonic Home of Missouri for providing clothing for many of the Washington Elementary Students. We are so grateful to you for reaching out to our students in need. The students were overjoyed to receive these items. It is such a great blessing to have such caring people like you reaching out to our community. Thank you again for always putting children first! Sincerely, Rebecca Moss Guidance Counselor
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WWW.MOHOME.ORG
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NOTES from the BOARD PRESIDENT
Masonic Home of Missouri Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors Gail S. Turner Honorary Chair John W. Hess President David L. Ramsey Vice President Jon B. Broyles Dale M. Bryan Barry V. Cundiff Steven D. Duncan W. Webb Edwards David W. Haywood Fredrick H. Neal Harvey R. Soule Thomas L. Truman William E. Zimmerman Keith Neese Executive Director
“To assist eligible adults and children in need by practicing the Principles of Freemasonry.” This is the newly revised Mission Statement of the Masonic Home of Missouri. For over 100 years the Home has been in the business of helping our Brothers, Sisters and Children when there is a need for assistance. The Masonic Home started identifying the need to assist with the establishment of an Orphanage in St. Louis. Then it expanded it’s scope of influence by building a residential center and a hospital. The Fraternity saw a need to again expand and a Residential Care Facility was built in Kansas City. As the needs of our society changed, the Board of Directors again restructured the services of the Home to provide Outreach Services so that the Home could be where our members live. In today’s world, where we are faced with daily challenges to meet the everyday necessities of life - the Home stands ready to help. Perhaps a Brother or Sister needs help with utility payments to get through the month or a child needs dental work that the family cannot afford. In many cases, the Home is able to step in and make a difference, and give a little peace when times seem so difficult. Our Masonic Fraternity teaches us that our Basic Tenets are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. The Board of Directors is proud to take their obligations as Mason’s very seriously. Our Grand Master has asked us to connect with our communities. The Board of Directors continues to connect with our members and their families in a way that is a credit to our fraternity. As we are halfway through our Masonic year, I would like to thank you for your continued generous support of the Masonic Home and assure you that your Masonic Home will continue to work to meet the high standards of our Mission Statement. Fraternally and Sincerely,
O.E.S. Advisory Board Mille M. Buckler Ruth Ann Dixson
John W. Hess, Deputy Grand Master President of the Board of Directors Masonic Home of Missouri
Donna Jackson
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Meet Barbara!
MASONIC COMPLEX
I am the Director of Outreach and Social Services, and I will be celebrating my 10 year anniversary with the Masonic Home of Missouri this July. I was raised in Fulton, Missouri by my wonderfully supportive parents along with my two sisters and brother. After high school, I continued my education at Westminster College, where I received a BA in Psychology. It was in college that my path in life would begin to take shape. While in college, I lost both of my paternal grandparents. My grandfather had Alzheimer’s, so we had gradually said good-bye to him for years. It was actually harder to watch my grandmother deal with my grandfather’s Alzheimer’s. I will never forget listening to my father and uncle help my grandmother with the difficult decision to place my grandfather in a skilled care facility. Even more painful was listening to subsequent arguments with my grandmother that she must turn on the lights and heat in the home, because they would help her pay for it if she was unable. I began to understand the emotional and financial struggles of my aging grandparents and the subsequent struggle for my parents. I learned that someone can die from a broken heart, when my grandmother passed away the day after going to the doctor and being told she was in perfect physical health. I also learned that despite being told that someone with end stage Alzheimer’s does not understand things, my grandfather cried for weeks after he was told that my grandmother passed away and he died a few months later. These lessons stayed with me as I completed my course work and tried to define what I wanted to do in life. After graduating from college, I went to work at the Social Security Administration. Although I only worked there for a couple of years, I would meet my future husband there. We married the year I began graduate school at the University of Missouri in Columbia. I graduated two years later in 2001 with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. I had completed an internship with the Division of Aging and focused all of my elective work on issues dealing with the elderly. I graduated in the spring, and I began working for the Masonic Home of Missouri in July of the same year. Since working at the Masonic Home, my husband and I have been blessed with two beautiful girls. Olivia is 6 years old, and Isabelle is 2 years old. They are truly blessings. I am very grateful to work with Masons, Eastern Star members, and their families through the Outreach Programs. Over the years, we have helped hundreds of people through difficult times in their lives, and many of the people we help become like a second family to me. I am thankful to all of them for sharing their stories and their lives with me as I continue on this path in life.
Annou
The Masonic Home of Missouri Assisted Living Facility in Kansas City has a few openings for those qualifying individuals who have a need for our services. If you would like to find out more information for yourself or a loved one to live at the Kansas City Facility, please contact Kathryn Johnson, Administrator, at 866-763-6667.
ncemen
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WWW.MOHOME.ORG
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OUTREACH SERVICES
Outreach Wordfind There are different ELIGIBILITY factors that are looked at when applying for assistance through the OUTREACH program. One of those factors are you must be a Masonic BROTHER, a SISTER (female member of the Order of the Eastern Star) or a WIDOW of a Missouri Master Mason. The CHILDREN’S PROGRAM provides financial assistance to Missouri Master Masons or female members of the Order of the Eastern Star to help pay for medical care and services such as dental, hearing, vision, therapy and equipment that is needed by their dependent children. The MASONIC HOME is proud to partner with Missouri LODGEs for the Creating-A-Partnership program (CAP) that benefits children in your communities from infant to 12th grade. We also appreciate each LODGEs participation in the PENNY-A-DAY program. Each member that gives an additional $3.65 a year to the Masonic Home helps to raise thousands of dollars for their brethren, sisters and their families across the state. The MASONIC HOME - ASSISTED LIVING Facility in Kansas City offers a professionally staffed retirement community for our aging members who enjoy an active lifestyle. Our RESIDENTS enjoy the dining room that over looks scenic woods, a chapel, barber and beauty shop and a bright and inviting solarium for visiting, exercising and other activities. The TRUMAN CLUB is a donor recognition program, providing a way to thank you for your continued support. We keep track of each donor’s cumulative giving. When a donor donates $100 or more to the Masonic Home they become an annual member. Once they attain perpetual membership they can achieve different society levels. These society levels are named after some of Missouri’s most illustrious Masons: LEWIS & CLARK, THOMAS HART BENTON, SAMUEL L. CLEMENS, CHARLES A LINDBERGH, OMAR BRADLEY, J. C. PENNEY and Harry S Truman. There are many ways to make DONATIONS to the MASONIC HOME a great CHARITY for Missouri Masons. Monetary, ESTATE PLANNING, or by purchasing a PAVER STONE in the COURTYARD.
Assisted Living Brother CAP Charity Charles A. Lindbergh Childrens Program Courtyard Donation Eligibility Estate Planning J.C. Penney Lewis & Clark
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Lodge Masonic Home Omar Bradley Outreach Paver Stone Penny-A-Day Resident Samuel L. Clemens Sister Thomas H. Benton Truman Club Widow
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MASONIC HOME INFORMATION
Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Dr., Ste. A Columbia, MO 65202 PHONE: 573-814-4663 TOLL FREE: 800-434-9804 FAX: 573-814-4660
NEWS you can use...
Save the Date!
Masonic Home “Leaves of Autumn” Golf Outing is Monday, August 29, 2011 at Columbia Country Club 6th Annual Truman Club Dinner is Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Country Club of Missouri
Masonic Home is on Facebook! Please join us at: http://www.facebook.com/MasonicHomeofMissouri Outreach Services
“We are where you are.” The MHM Outreach Services Program provides eligible individuals with financial relief while living in their own homes, apartments, residential or assisted living facilities in one of three ways: 1. Monthly financial assistance 2. Individual one-time payments 3. Equipment loans (based on availability)
Children’s Outreach Services
The MHM Children’s Outreach Services assists dependent children of Missouri Master Masons and Eastern Star members. Please contact us for additional information.
Social Services
The Masonic Home of Missouri can assist you in finding Social Services in your area.
Widows Luncheons will be coming to you!
We want to make sure our Masonic Widows are aware of the Masonic Home of Missouri programs they may be eligible for. We will keep you informed as to when we will be coming to your area. Don’t miss out on this informative presentation.