Masonic Home of Missouri
Resource “We are where you are �.
NOTES from the EXECUTIVE
I
DIRECTOR
t has been a great pleasure visiting with those of you who have attended the Grand Masters Town Hall meetings. I have been happy to address questions you have shared and hope you have received helpful information on the programs of the Masonic Home of Missouri. If you have been unable to attend these meetings I encourage you to contact us with questions regarding our programs and also urge you to utilize our website at www.mohome.org. As many of you are aware the Masonic Home provides aid to its members in many differing ways. The Outreach Program which provides financial relief state wide has been giving financial support to our membership for over 20 years. In the last fiscal year 2010-2011, we provided over $1.17million in assistance servicing members within their own communities, whether it be in their home, apartment, residential or assisted living facility in their home town or surrounding areas. This outcry for assistance continues to grow as we see more and more of our members contacting the Masonic Home, with approximately 55.5% of its recipients being Masonic Widows and Ladies of the Order of the Eastern Star. Please take the time to review our programs starting on page 10, specifically focusing on the Outreach Program and where assistance has been provided during the fiscal year 2010-2011. I would also like to say how nice it has been for the Masonic Home staff and myself to meet a new group of individuals this year, our “Masonic Widows”. We have been and continue to host Widow’s Lunches across the state. By doing this, our hope is to provide our Masonic Widows with information they may not have been aware of, but may need to utilize down the road; and to find those ladies who may currently be in need of our assistance. It warmed my heart to hear one of the ladies say, “It is just so nice to know that someone cares.” I feel with comments like this we are achieving what we had set out to do. Finally, I would like to be the first to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Safe Holiday Season and want to remind you to stay abreast of the programs that are available through the Masonic Home. I would also like to thank those of you who contribute to the good works of the Masonic Home of Missouri. Fraternally Yours, Keith Neese Executive Director
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The Dangers of DIY Wills Not only can your do-it-yourself will be worth less than the paper it is printed on, it can cost your family far more in taxes and legal fees after your death than you ever would have spent having it properly drafted in the first place. See how one man’s family discovered just how expensive preparing your own will can be.
The Story of Tony Sowder
In 1983, Tony Sowder, a keen businessman, sat down and wrote his own will. He never updated it, nor did he take it to a licensed attorney to have it properly drafted before he passed away more than a decade later. While Tony’s intention, according to his wife, Marie, was to leave an estate free of estate taxes, the IRS had a different tax interpretation while processing the estate tax return and reviewing the language used in his will. Typically a spouse can pass all of his or her assets to a surviving spouse estate tax–free through the use of the unlimited marital deduction. Unfortunately, Tony did not employ the legally correct wording to make use of the unlimited marital deduction.
So what happened?
•Because of this technicality, the IRS claimed that all of the assets passing to Marie would be subject to estate tax. •Tony’s estate had to pay $800,000 in estate taxes and more than $130,000 for the back interest owed on the deficient taxes. •Tony’s family went to court to fight the IRS. Although the federal court found in favor of the estate, it took 10 years to resolve the case and determine how much tax the estate really owed. •The cost to Tony’s family included not only the legal fees spent defending his will and nearly $1 million in taxes and interest, but also his family’s investment of time and a decade of emotional strain. Marie L. Sowder, Executrix v. United States, No. CV-02-0136-WFN (E.D. Wash. Nov. 10, 2005)
How can you avoid making a similar mistake?
The moral of Tony Sowder’s story about his self-made will is simple: Don’t draft your own legal documents. Use a qualified estate planning attorney to create not only your will, but also your other important estate planning documents such as a revocable living trust, durable power of attorney, health care power of attorney and living will.
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Donor Profile
David N. Appleby Brother Appleby was born in Springfield, Missouri, graduated from Ozark, Missouri High School, Missouri State University (BS Economics), and the University of Missouri, School of Law (JD). He is licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, and all Missouri Courts. He has practiced law since 1976 with service as a Prosecuting Attorney for Christian County, Missouri and as a Municipal Judge. He has been active in numerous law related activities, to include serving as the President of the Christian County Bar Association and as Chairman of the Regional Missouri Council on Criminal Justice. Now a retired Colonel, he has extensive Active and Reserve service in the U.S. Army, is a Vietnam veteran, and has received numerous awards and
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decorations, to include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He also had foreign service in Panama, South Korea, Germany and Belgium, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division and numerous Army and joint Special Forces (“Green Beret”) units. He is also active in a number of civic organizations, and has served as a member of the Board of Aldermen for Fremont Hills, Missouri. He has recently served as President General (national president) of the Sons of the American Revolution. In addition to the SAR, he is a member of several charitable, patriotic, hereditary, fraternal and veterans organizations, to include the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Knights Templar) where he also served as the national president; Venerable Order of
the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem; Ancient Free & Accepted Masons (Blue Lodge, all York Rite bodies, Scottish Rite 32° and Shrine), Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and Military Order of the Purple Heart. Recipient, in 2005, Missourian Award for outstanding contributions to the community, state and nation. He has also received the Minuteman Award, the highest award for service to the National Society Sons of the American Revolution. Also recipient of NSSAR Patriot Medal, Liberty Medal, Gold Good Citizenship and State Distinguished Service Award, inter alia.
Donor Profile
Harry L. Tripp, Jr. Brother Tripp was born and raised in Waukegan, IL. He attended High School in Waukegan, but a year before graduating he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. at the age of 17. His father having served in the Marines during the Korean War inspired his son to serve his country. During his four years’ service, Harry attained his GED and received his diploma. He remained stateside during the Vietnam War at New River Air Station in Jacksonville, North Carolina and served with the First and Second Marine Air Wings, retiring in 1975 as NCO and Plane Captain.
enrolled at Lake County Community College for general studies. Later he transferred to Rend Lake College in Southern Illinois and graduated in 1982 with an Associate’s Degree in nursing. After graduating college Harry was employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections Menard Center where he eventually retired. In 2002 Bro. Tripp moved to Missouri. While looking for houses he met his wife, Christine who was a relator. In September 2004 they married. Both Harry and Christine have three children each from a previous marriage and together they have 12 grandchildren.
After serving his country, Bro. Tripp returned to Illinois and began working at Downey VA Hospital in North Bro. Tripp was raised to the degree of Chicago as a Psychiatric Nursing Master Mason in May 2006 at Marcus Assistant. During this time, Harry Lodge No. 110 where he served as
Worshipful Master in 2009. He is currently President of the Scottish Rite Club in St. Louis, General Isimo in De Soto Commandery in Farmington, Assistant Grand Sentinel Royal Arch Masons of Grand Lodge of Missouri and Worthy Patron in McDonald Chapter No. 128 O.E.S. He has also served as Illustrious Master of Bonne Terre Council in Farmington. In his spare time, Harry serves as Deacon of God’s Country Cowboy Church. He also enjoys reading hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
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redefining the
MASONIC HOME of MISSO
OURI
The Masonic Home of Missouri strives, “To assist eligible adults and children in need by practicing the principles of Freemasonry.� We do this by developing new services for our members and expanding on existing programs.
Continued on next page.
NOTES from the BOARD
PRESIDENT
The idea for a Missouri Masonic Home was introduced in 1875 at the Grand Lodge communication when brother John C. Ralls introduced a resolution that said in part “ And necessity of making suitable provisions for the erection of a Home for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of Worthy (deceased) Master Masons…to be located in some suitable and healthy place.” The dream became a reality in 1889 when the Grand Encampment of the Knights Templar raised “the splendid sum” of $35,000 at their charity day. An additional $18,000 was raised from Lodges, Eastern Star Chapters, Commandaries, and individual Masons. The Masonic Home of Missouri was incorporated as a “Pro Forma Charitable Corporation” later that year. In the beginning the Home focused on running an orphanage and providing a residence for needy children. This facility was located in St. Louis, Mo and grew in time to encompass 10 buildings, including a hospital and later a skilled care facility for the elderly. The Home continued to operate the orphanage through the war years. The last child moved out of the Masonic Home in the 1970’s. One of the galleries at the Museum at the Masonic Complex focuses on the orphanage and the care of the children of Masons Changing social conditions caused the needs of life to pass from children to our elderly Brothers and Sisters and the focus of the Masonic Home shifted to the elderly. The skilled care facility in St. Louis continued to operate until the early 1990’s. The area around the facility had deteriorated and the safety of the residents and the workers became a concern. Additionally, occupancy was an issue as many of our out – state members did not want to move to the St. Louis area. The facility was sold to the state of Missouri who
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We are whe
operated it for only a year before closing it because of the same safety concerns. Our Masonic brothers and sisters were moved to a leased wing of another facility in better part of town. The Home continued to operate this leased wing until approximately 10 years ago when the number of residents had declined to a point that it did not make economic sense to continue the lease. In the 1970’s the Home opened the Kansas City Facility, an assisted living unit which we continued to operate until June of this year. Many of the same concerns that affected the St. Louis unit were problematic at the Kansas City facility. The unit originally had a total of 40 rooms. Occupancy was an issue as our outstate brethren were also reluctant to move to Kansas City. The board decided to remodel and convert four of the rooms into suites that could be occupied by a husband and wife. This helped but actually reduced our number of beds to just 36. At the time the facility was sold, only 29 of the rooms were occupied. The area around the facility had deteriorated and there were safety concerns for residents and employees. The great thing about the Masonic Home is that it has continued to evolve with the needs of our members. The old “Life Care”
ere you are.
program where you turned over all assets to the Home in return for being cared for the rest of your life went away in early 1990’s. Family members were reluctant to allow their parents to give away all the family assets and participation in the program was dwindling. The last Life Care resident passed away in 2010. In the 1990’s the Home started on of our current Programs, Outreach Services. This program has been very successful and allows our brothers and sisters to stay near their families, friends and churches. The motto of the Outreach Program of the Masonic Home is “We are where you are”. Last year, we helped over 130 people thru Outreach Services, for about the same amount of money that we had spent maintaining the Western Unit. The Outreach Program evolved in the last decade as we got back to our roots and expanded the program to provide some services medical, dental, vision and hearing aids, for the children of Masons and female members of the O.ES. In 2003, Creating-A-Partnership program was introduced as a way for the Masonic Home to work with local lodges and chapters to meet needs in their communities. This matching fund program, up to $2500, allows the local lodges and chapters to get the recognition for the assistance and help either individual children with a need or new for this year, a worthy project within their community. Another new program this year is “Masonic Family Cares”. We have recognized that not all needs are financial – many of our brothers and sisters may not need funds, but rather just need someone to talk to them or to do a small project around their home. Thru Masonic Family Cares, the Masonic Home encourages you to seek out those members and “adopt” them. Let the Home know as
we are trying to find a way to recognize those lodges that are participating. I will close by telling you that the Masonic Home of Missouri is alive and well. The need for our assistance continues to grow, especially in these difficult economic times. As President, I would be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to continue your support of the Home. Through our various appeals, donations to the Truman Club, participation in the annual golf tournament, and/or possibly a gift through your estate, your donations are needed now more than ever. Remember when asked “where is your Masonic Home – we are where you are!” Fraternally,
David L. Ramsey Vice President Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors
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Outreach Age & Length of Membership Guidelines
Established in 1991, the Outreach Program is a financial assistance program that provides financial relief to eligible Missouri Master Masons, their wives/widows and Missouri female members of the Order of the Eastern Star. The Masonic Home of Missouri is able to help its elderly members who have outlived their resources in their homes, apartments, independent living facilities, and assisted living facilities. Some applicants qualify for this long-term assistance each month, while others only need assistance with individual payments, such as medical bills, hearing aids or dental work. The Outreach Program is also able to provide shortterm assistance to its younger members. This short-term assistance may help members going through medical emergencies or during times of unemployment. The assistance is provided to help individuals while they are helping themselves out of difficult situations. As with all assistance, the Board of Directors considers each request on a case-bycase basis. All inquiries are given prompt attention. Age & Length of Membership is reviewed on all applicants. Applications can be found online at www.mohome.org. 10 MASONIC HOME of MISSOURI
• Member prior to the age of Forty must have been in continuous good standing for (5) years prior to application. • Member between the ages of Forty and Forty-Nine years, inclusive, must have been in continuous good standing for at least Ten (10) years prior to application. • Member between the ages of Fifty and Fifty-Nine years, inclusive, must have been in continuous good standing for at least Fifteen (15) years prior to application. • Member at or subsequent to attaining the age of Sixty years must have been in continuous good standing for at least Twenty (20) years prior to application.
Outreach Assistance for 2010 - 2011 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011) Missouri’s Masonic Map of Assistance
Last fiscal year the Masonic Home assisted individuals/ couples in 73% of the Masonic Districts in Missouri. The map (shown on the next page) shows the number of people assisted in specific districts. Last year we assisted 151 members in Missouri including eligible members living outside the state. If you have questions regarding Outreach assistance please contact our Outreach Department at 800-434-9804. A member of our staff will be glad to assist you.
Missouri’s Masonic Map of Assistance
We are where you are. WWW.MOHOME.ORG
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Children’s Outreach Eligibility Requirements Applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Legal dependent(s) of Missouri Master Masons or female members of the Order of the Eastern Star. • Master Mason or Eastern Star member must be in good standing at time of application. • Age and Length of Membership guidelines. • Guardian of applicant must demonstrate a financial need.
Established in 2003, the Children’s Outreach Program provides financial assistance to legal dependents of Missouri Master Masons or Missouri female members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Assistance provided through this program may help with medical care and services such as dental, hearing, vision, therapy and equipment. This program alleviates the financial strain on parents who may have health insurance, but are struggling to afford the copayments and other medical expenses not covered by insurance. The flexibility of the Children’s Outreach Program makes it possible for parents to seek services in their own communities. Applying for Assistance... The parents or legal guardians of the child should make application on the child’s behalf. Once an applicant’s information is received, the Outreach staff will contact the guardian to obtain additional information. All inquiries are given prompt attention. Age & Length of Membership is reviewed on all applicants. Applications can be found online at www.mohome.org.
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Age & Length of Membership Guidelines Subject to approval by Board of Directors
• Legal dependent(s) up to 21 years of age of Master Masons or female members of the Order of the Eastern Star who are in good standing in Missouri Lodge/Chapter and have a minimum of two years of continuous good standing prior to application. • Legal dependent(s) of Master Masons or female members of the Order of the Eastern Star over the age of 21 who are physically or mentally disabled.
Social Services The Masonic Home of Missouri provides updated Resource Directories (biannually) to each Masonic Lodge. These resource directories provide information on available social services, specific to each Masonic District. Our Social Services Department maintains up-todate information regarding programs and services throughout the state and can provide you with this information should you need it. Please contact us if you need information or assistance researching social services within your own community.
Creating-A-Partnership
Masonic Family Cares
Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) is a matching funds program supported by the Masonic Home of Missouri, partnering with Lodges/Chapters up to $2,500 per lodge/chapter per MHM fiscal year. (CAP is based on fiscal year July 1st to June 30th.)
The Masonic Family Cares is a new program that will help facilitate connections between lodges, chapters, youth organizations and the Masonic brothers and sisters in their communities. Interested lodges/chapters can contact the Masonic Home to inquire about establishing relationships with Masonic brothers, widows or O.E.S. members in their area who would enjoy visiting with a fellow Masonic member.
Individual Child/Children
Lodges and Chapters can work within their community to identify a child or children in need (i.e. through schools or local community organizations/families). Assistance can help to provide clothing, basic school supplies, coats, shoes, hats and gloves, hygiene items, eye glasses, dental work etc.
Project-Based
Lodges and Chapters can identify projects within their communities through charitable or other non-profit organizations, such as schools. Recipients of the CAP Project-Based funds must be a 501 (c) (3) public charitable organization, as defined by the IRS, or public entities such as school districts. An example of a project that may qualify is the backpack food programs found in communities statewide.
We are where you are.
This program is a great opportunity to connect with those members within your communities who might not be able to attend lodge, or a widow who would benefit from seeing a friendly face. If your lodge is already participating and doing these great works within your community, please share your stories with us. If you are trying to find ways to reach out to those members amongst you, please contact the Masonic Home of Missouri and we will assist you in locating these Masonic members within your community.
Widow’s Program The Masonic Home provides widows with information regarding our programs and services. In an effort to bring widows and the local Masonic Home Representatives together, the Masonic Home began scheduling luncheons throughout the state. At these luncheons, the Masonic Home honors these ladies with a pin recognizing them as Masonic widows. A widows card is provided to each widow listing her late husband’s Masonic record should she ever need assistance from the Masonic Home. WWW.MOHOME.ORG
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Meet the newest members of the Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors
Jeffrey D. Lee
RW Brother Jeff Lee was born February 19, 1960, in Springfield, Mo. Upon graduation from High School in 1978 he attended the University of Arkansas, SMSU and Drury College majoring in architecture and business. In 1988 he entered into the funeral industry and is now currently owner of J.D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home in Rogersville, Mo. He has served on the Board of Directors and as Chairperson of the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, Treasurer of the Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce and is currently a member of the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Rogersville. His Masonic affiliations began in 1978 when his grandfather brought him a petition for the degrees to Henderson Lodge No. 477 in Rogersville on his 18th birthday, and told him to sign here. He also joined the Scottish Rite and Shrine in that same year.
Charlie Wiegert has been Worshipful Master of two different lodges; Gardenville Lodge No. 655 in 1978 and Noble Lodge No. 684 in 2005. He currently serves as Secretary of Noble Lodge No. 684. He is a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite, and member of Oriental Chapter RAM, Jeremiah Council, Ascalon Commandry, and Moolah Temple Shriners. He is a Past President of the Ceremonial Cast, Past Director of Court #81 Royal Order of Jesters and is the current Dean of St. Louis Priory of the DeMolay Legion of Honor. Charlie was a pioneer in the Fantasy Sports Industry, starting a business in 1992 with three other individuals. His company was involved in a major lawsuit with the Major League Baseball Association and their players association, that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and won a landmark decision. For 20 years prior,
He went through the chairs of his Lodge and served as Master of Henderson Lodge in 1986 and as Secretary from 1987 – 1999. He served as Junior Grand Marshall in 2003 and 2004 of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. In the Scottish Rite he was a member of the Auditorium Crew, served as Commander of the Joplin Council Knights Kadosh in 1988 and was honored to receive the 32° KCCH Honorary in 2003. He is a member of Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple where he has served and an Aide, Chief Aide to the Potentate, Rajah of Christian County Shrine Club, Ring Club President, past member of the Board of Trustees and Potentate in 2009. He has been married to his wife Melissa for 26 years and has two sons Jared, who is member of the fraternity, and Jordan.
he was an Advertising Salesman with the St. Louis Suburban Journals. Through the years Charlie has been involved as part owner of five minor league sports teams, an all sports radio station, an arena, and six internet companies. He is currently an owner and vice president of CDM Sports, a leading
provider of fantasy sports games. He is an owner of River City Internet Group, a holding company for Primary Network and Hostirian. He was a 1972 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, with a BS in Marketing and graduated from Augustinian Academy High School in St. Louis in 1968. He lives in Affton with his wife, Debbie. They have two daughters, one year old granddaughters and a grandson coming in November.
Charlie Wiegert
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C. Brent Stewart RWB Stewart was born in 1960 in Columbia, Missouri and was appointed to the advancing line in 2008 by Most Worshipful Brother Rocky E. Weaver. He received a BA degree from the University of Missouri—Columbia in 1983 and graduated from the UMC School of Law in 1987, later that fall taking a job at the Missouri Public Service Commission as a staff attorney litigating utility company rate cases. The five-member bipartisan Commission subsequently appointed him Staff Director where he oversaw the agency’s 200-plus employees and was responsible for the overall management of the agency. In 1993 he left government service and opened his own law firm in Columbia where he was in private law practice for sixteen years. He currently is the Legislative and Regulatory Counsel for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives in Jefferson City, Missouri. He married his wife Kris in 1981 at the Newman Center. Kris works as a Medical Technologist at the Columbia Regional Hospital and is active in the Columbia Community Band and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. They have no children, other than their two adopted rescued racing greyhounds. They live in a remodeled historic German restaurant built with oak beams from an 1860 grist mill. He and Kris both worked at the restaurant while in junior high school, high school and in college.
Coming from a Masonic family, RWB Stewart began his Masonic career during his first year of law school in Kansas City. With his coaching provided by WB Don Hurlbert through courtesy of Swope Park Lodge, he was initiated an Entered Apprentice on November 27, 1984, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on February 26, 1985, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on April 9, 1985 in Twilight Lodge #114, where he served as Master from 1998-1999. He served on the Lodge Building Association, was involved in the construction of the new Columbia lodge building, and remains active as a member of the 3rd degree team as one of the “lawyer ruffians”. He holds dual membership in Acacia Lodge #602 and Fayette-Howard Lodge #4. He served on the Grand Lodge Ways and Means Committee, the Building Supervisory Board, and was President of the Masonic Children’s Foundation from 2010-2011. He currently is the Chairman of the By-Laws Committee and is a member 16 MASONIC HOME of MISSOURI
of the Scholarship Committee. He received his 32nd degree at the Columbia Valley Scottish Rite in September 1985, was honored with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in October 1997, and was coroneted an Inspector General Honorary 33rd degree in November 2003. He served as the Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection from 1996-1997 during the construction of the Columbia Valley Masonic Center and was the SGIG Personal Representative from 2004 until his resignation in 2007, thereafter becoming a member of the Valley of Fort Scott, Kansas. He is a past board member of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri, Past President of the Columbia Valley Temple Association, and past board member
Stewart continued... of RiteCare Valley of Columbia. He joined the York Rite in Kirksville, Missouri in October 1988. He served as High Priest of Columbia Chapter #17 RAM in 2008, Master of Centralia Council #34 in 2011, and Commander of St. Graal Commandery #12 Knights Templar in 2007. He is a member of the Order of High Priesthood and the Past Commanders Association. He was the Charter Secretary of the Heart of Missouri York Rite College, served as Governor in 2010, and received the Order of the Purple Cross in 2011. He currently serves on the Jurisprudence Committees of the Missouri Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery. He received the Red Branch of Eri and is past Sovereign Master of Marquis de La Fayette Council #392 Allied Masonic Degrees. His A.M.D. presentation, Recovering the Lost Master’s Word, was published by the Grand Council A.M.D. in the 2006 edition of its annual publication, Miscellanea. His other Masonic memberships include Tipperary Council #62 Knight Masons, Royal Order of Scotland, M.S.R.C.I.F., St. Thomas of Acon, Missouri Lodge of Research, Scottish Rite Research Society, Philalethes Society, Abou Ben Adhem Shrine, Aleppo Grotto and the Sword of Bunker Hill. RWB Stewart’s other community activities include being a Charter Member of the Southside Optimist Club, past officer of the Columbia Pachyderm Club, Past Exalted Ruler and Past Lodge Trustee of the Columbia Elks Lodge #594 B.P.O.E., and past board member of the Columbia Benevolent Organization. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Missouri 10-33 Benevolent Fund, Inc., which he co-founded with Illustrious Brother and former Governor Roger B. Wilson.
Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors John W. Hess Dale M. Bryan Honorary Chairman Barry V. Cundiff David L. Ramsey President Steven D. Duncan John B. Broyles Jeffrey D. Lee Vice President Fred H. Neal David W. Haywood Secretary Thomas L. Truman C. Brent Stewart Charlie F. Wiegert Treasurer William E. Zimmerman WWW.MOHOME.ORG
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Square
& Compass Courtyard
The Square and Compass Courtyard is a unique area located at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, where you, your Masonic Lodge or Eastern Star Chapter can show your Masonic support by having your name engraved in one of the paver stones. The opportunity is open to anyone wishing to show dedication to preserving Masonic history. When you make a donation to the Masonic Home, your personalized stone will be cut from high quality granite and laser cut for long-lasting and cleaner engraving. If you wish to have a stone engraved for your lodge, chapter, in honor or in memory of a loved one, or for yourself, please contact Lori Benson, Public and Donor Relations at 800-434-9804 with any questions. It’s a great way to make a lasting impression!
STONE SIZES & COST Stone Size 12” X 12” 18” X 18” 24” X 24” 4ft Bench 6ft Bench
Stone Cost $300 $550 $800 $1,500 $2,500
UPGRADES If you already have an original stone in the courtyard in either a 12” X 12”, or 18” X 18” and wish to upgrade, you only pay the difference. *Please note: when you place an order, if there is a large amount of artwork (other than O.E.S. or Masonic symbol) or excessive wording, you may be charged more for the stone than what is listed.
Make
Your Impression Today!
Please mail to: Masonic Home of Missouri, 6033 Masonic Dr., Suite A, Columbia, MO 65202
Name of Purchaser: ____________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________________ Size of Recognition Stone/Bench: _________________________________________________ Inscription Line 1: ____________________________________________________________ Line 2: ______________________________________________________________________ Line 3: ______________________________________________________________________ Line 4: ______________________________________________________________________ Line 5: ______________________________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed: _____________________________________________________________ If you wish to pay by credit card: Please charge my:
VISA
Mastercard
Discover
Card Number & Expiration Date: _________________________________________________ Signature for cards only: ________________________________________________________ Make checks payable to: Masonic Home of Missouri
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
What You Have To Gain When You Donate To A Charity There are many possible reasons behind the decision to donate to a charity. The most common reason is generosity. Out of the kindness of your heart you donate to a charity. You feel the strong urge to share your material blessings to help a good cause. That cause can be for the benefit of the less fortunate, abused animals or to help save the environment. Different nonprofit organizations have different causes but what they have in common is that they all need funds. Aside from generosity, there is also another common reason why people donate to a charity and that is tax deduction. When you donate to a charity, you have the benefit of getting a tax write-off. Donations to a charity in terms of money or objects are qualified for a tax deduction. When you donate to a charity in the form of material things, the tax deduction will be based on the value of your donation. The monetary donations will also be deducted to your taxes based on the amount you have donated. The more you donate, the higher your tax deductions are. In the end, you will be paying lower taxes and you have the satisfaction of helping those who are in need. You have everything to gain when you donate to a charity.
When you donate to a charity, it does not have to be in the form of money at all times. You can also donate items that you do not really need. It is a great way of getting rid of those things lying around your house that you never really use. It is better than letting them lie there uselessly and deteriorate. You can put them to a better use when you donate to a charity. These things may not be of use to you, but there are a lot of other people out there who will find them very useful. You get to put your house in order and help other people. When you donate to a charity, you get that satisfaction for being able to give back to your community. While strolling about town, take a good look around you at the people who are not as financially blessed as you are. When you donate to a charity, you get to help these people. There is a great satisfaction in knowing that you have done your part in helping the less fortunate have a chance at a better life. The Masonic Home of Missouri has been actively involved in charity work for decades. Our mission is, “To assist eligible adults and children in need by practicing the principles of Freemasonry.�
We are where you are.