Spring 2015

SPRING ISSUE 2015

YOUR GUIDE TO RESOURCES

Missouri Missouri Outreach Outreach publication the Masonic HomeofofMissouri Missouri AA publication ofof the Home A publication of Masonic the Masonic Home of Missouri

Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program Partner with your community and the Home Page 10

Planned Giving It’s easier than you think!

Page 15

All It Takes Is Change

How one Lodge has engraved their tradition in stone Page 22

Voices of the Veterans Programs

Board of Directors David W. Haywood, Chairman/GM C. Brent Stewart, President Richard L. Smith, Vice President Ronald D. Jones, Secretary Tim Thomas, Treasurer Keith M. Bail William J. Bowser Chris T. Harrelson Jeffrey D. Lee Jeffrey A. Parrotte James D. Schepers Daniel J. Ward Charles F. Wiegert

Executive Director Barbara Ramsey

Director of Finance Jodi Blake

Map the Magazine!

Do you ever take your Missouri Outreach magazine with you on vacation? Maybe you receive the magazine while you winter in warmer places? Or you have a fun trip scheduled to an exotic locale?

For fun, take a photograph of yourself with the magazine in front of an iconic or fun place and send it to us. We want to map the magazine as a way to show that Outreach can happen everywhere. You can email the photo to rlightfoot@mohome.org.

Please include where or what you are visiting, what Lodge or Chapter you belong to, and a short statement about how you came to be where the photo was taken. We will be keeping track on a world map in the office.

Photos may be published in a future issue of the magazine, our website or on our Facebook page.

Have some fun and help us ‘Map the Magazine’.

Editor

Rhonda Stone Lightfoot Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite A Columbia, MO 65202 573.814.4663 Phone 1.800.434.9804 Toll Free 573.814.4660 Fax mohome.org

We have a limited quantity of our 125th Masonic Home of Missouri’s commemorative coin still available. The coin depicts the original Home on the front and the 125th logo on the back.

Coins can be purchased for $12.50 by emailing Rhonda at rlightfoot@mohome.org or calling (800) 434-9804.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to add this coin to your collection!

Cover Photo: Dr. Chris Neale, Superintendent of Gasconade County R-1 Schools and Angie Walter, Worthy Matron of Riverview Chapter #315, O.E.S. (photo courtesy of the Chapter). See the article on page 13.

Contents

Features Spotlight on Programs

4 15

Executive Director’s Notes

Planned Giving Made Easy

16

Voices of the Veteran Program

19

What’s in the Numbers?

20

VA Benefits

Our Widows Program keeps Lodges and their honored widows in touch.

Lies, Cheats and Scams Getting advice on banking scams straight from the bank.

Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Our Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program assists children in need in YOUR community by partnering with local Lodges, Chapters, eligible organizations, and the Masonic Home of Missouri.

All It Takes Is Change How Troy Lodge No. 34 has made their support for the Masonic Home etched in stone.

5 6 10 22

The Missouri Outreach is published three times a year. Our Spring (March), Summer (June), and Winter (December) issues are mailed to Missouri Master Masons, their honored widows and all of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapters. We also publish an Annual Report each Fall (September) that is available at Annual Communication or can be mailed upon request. All editions of these publications, along with the Masonic Home “Rep Report” are available on our website at www.mohome.org or can be mailed upon request. Some past issues may have limited quantities.

If you are receiving the magazine and wish to be removed from the mailing list, please email rlightfoot@ mohome.org or call Rhonda at (800) 434-9804.

Executive Director Notes This Missouri Outreach magazine features three of the Masonic Home’s Outreach Programs – Widows Program, Creating-A-Partnership, and the new Armed Forces Program. When I read the articles on these programs, I cannot help but think of two words – Honored and Inspired.

When we talk about the Widows Program, we always talk about the importance of honoring our Masonic Widows. The new Armed Forces Program is also about honoring our Masonic Veterans for their service. An important component of both the Widows Program and the Veterans program is the pin sent to recognize and honor those special individuals.

It is a very small token of gratitude sent to those individuals recognizing the support and sacrifices they have made, and the Masonic Home wants to let them know that they are not forgotten. As I was writing this article, I received a card in the mail from a widow in Hannibal, Missouri. She said, “Thank you so much for the beautiful Widows Pin! What a nice surprise! I shall wear it with pride! And find a way to ‘give back’ in your Outreach Programs.” It was a beautiful reminder that the Masonic Home’s programs touch people’s lives in big and small ways every day.

The Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) program is simply inspiring to me. Lodges and Chapters are working to make differences in the lives of children in their communities. They are finding ways to reach out into the community – making the Masonic Home’s Outreach Programs truly part of their lives and in

their communities.

The CAP program and the new Partnering To Honor (PTH) program only exist when a Lodge or Chapter want to partner with the Masonic Home. These lodges and chapters are showing what leadership in the community looks like.

They are showing not just how dollars of assistance can change lives, but how they are volunteering their time and talents to make a difference.

I would like to thank all of the Lodges that have helped work with the Masonic Home to build our widows lists and now the veterans lists. I hope you are moved by some of the stories in this magazine – I know we have been. I would like to once again thank all of the Lodges and Chapters working the CAP program and new PTH program. You are an inspiration to us all, as you demonstrate the power and impact that can be made when we work together to get involved.

Barbara Ramsey Executive Director

Mailing List Disclaimer Our mailing lists are used solely for our purposes only and will not be given or sold for any reason to any other person or company. We utilize our lists to keep you abreast of programs, special events or items of interest to the members of the Masonic Fraternity.

Rest assured that your information is safe with us. We respect everyone’s privacy and will promptly remove you from our occasional mailings at any time by simply contacting Rhonda at rlightfoot@mohome.org or call (800) 434-9804. page 4 Missouri Outreach

Spotlight on Widows Program One of the Masonic Home of Missouri’s nonfinancial Outreach Programs is the Widows Program.

Honoring our late Missouri Master Masons’ spouses is a very important part of taking care of our Masonic family.

Each year, the Masonic Home sends out condolence cards to families when a Missouri Mason passes away. In FY14, the Masonic Home sent out 410 condolence cards to grieving families. The surviving female spouse also receives a Widows Pin and a card with her deceased husband’s Masonic information.

Should she ever need assistance through the Financial Assistance Programs, this card contains all the Masonic information a caseworker would need to verify membership requirements.

The Masonic Home wanted to further connect the Masonic Widows to the Home and the Lodge, so the Home began to host the Widows Luncheons to present a pin to the widows.

These were so successful that the Home began to expand the luncheons, making them more inclusive of all Masonic ladies. The Lodges now host

the luncheons and teas and invite the Masonic Home to present to the wives, widows, and Order of the Eastern Star ladies about the wonderful programs the Home offers. The Masonic Home of Missouri also sends Christmas cards each year to the ladies, along with mailing the Missouri Outreach magazine.

The Masonic Home shares the list of widows with Lodges. This list provides an opportunity for the Masonic Home Representative to stay in touch with his Lodge’s Masonic widows and honor their late husband’s Masonic legacy. The list is mailed every year around mid-November and is updated continually.

Widows who are in need of non-financial assistance, such as removal/storage of window air conditioning units, installation of hand rails, etc., might be able to receive assistance through the Home’s Masonic Family Cares Program which facilitates connections between Lodges, Chapters and youth organizations and the Masonic brothers and sisters in their communities.

If you know of a widow who is in need of assistance or needs to be added to the Widow’s database, please contact Chantana Irvin at (800)434-9804 or cirvin@ mohome.org.

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.

-John Holmes

Spring Issue 2015 page 5

Lies Cheats & Scams!

The Masonic Home of Missouri has encountered several cases of members being scammed financially over the years, many of them involve the elderly. The Home, in an effort to continue educating the Masonic Fraternity, requested the following information from Ms. Reggie Whilhite, Vice President of Secuirty for Boone County National Bank, an affiliate of Central Bancompany.

It is never “just another day at work” in banking these days. Some work days read like a cheap romance and others like a good mystery, a real “who done it,” involving interviews with the customer, with law enforcement and even the FBI to get to the bottom of a crime. We take it very personally when our customers or our bank become a victim of fraud.

Victims of fraud come in all ages, from all cultures, from all walks of life and levels of education and economic independence. In some cases, there is very little a customer could do to prevent what happened, but in most cases the fraud was preventable.

Fraud has several paths for delivery. The Internet is considered the fast lane for fraud arriving mysteriously in your home via your computer or other electronic devices, but old fashioned fraud will still knock on your door, call on your phone, arrive in your mail box or approach you on the parking lot at the grocery store or pharmacy.

When we investigate fraud we find that the following customer habits or behaviors may have contributed to the customer’s vulnerability.

1. They forgot the old adage “if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

2. They have an “I wouldn’t fall for something like that” attitude and then are in denial when they do become a victim. Some will later admit “I should have known….” or “I knew something wasn’t right.”

3. They fail to contact their bank or broker to assist them in researching the legitimacy of an investment or transaction that promises to yield too high of a return.

4. They leave confidential information, check books, medical billing statements or other documents too accessible to anyone visiting or residing in their home.

5. They share confidential information over the phone or the internet with people or companies that they don’t know.

But more times than not, one of these two factors are present when a customer becomes a victim of fraud.

1. Loneliness 2.

Financial Desperation There are multiple lists of Do’s and Don’ts available to the consumer but in my experience it is the story of the victim that reminds us “that could have been me!” There are many consumer laws in place to protect consumers. There are also a number of local,

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state and federal agencies that take fraud reports, investigate fraud, and provide educational literature and also publish information on their websites for consumers to learn and grow from. I’ve included a resource list at the end of this article. But to me, it is real customer stories that help us truly learn about preventing fraud. Following is a collection of victim’s stories. The names have been changed but their stories are real.

Irene and her husband had recently downsized and were living in a new home. Her husband, however, had health issues and had recently been placed in a nursing home. Irene started receiving phone calls that she had won a sweepstakes. Irene was not disabled but was also not the type of person to leave the house and run errands on her own, which is what makes this case interesting. The con artist not only convinced her that she had won the sweepstakes, but he also had her purchasing iPads, iPhones and gift cards from different retailers. Then, he sent her to various express mail carriers to ship these items. The parcels were shipped to other states and even internationally. Irene used credit cards and also a savings account that had been set aside for her husband’s care to purchase the items. It was set up almost like a treasure hunt, once each task was completed she was supposedly a step closer to claiming a Lottery Prize or Sweepstakes.

A team of people including a family member, the police department and myself began contacting parcel carriers, credit card companies and others to request shipped items not yet at their destination be returned, we recovered some of the money but the customer lost several thousand dollars and had lost not only her own confidence but now her daughter was doubtful of her ability to take care of herself.

Myra had lived in the same neighborhood with the same neighbors for years. Everyone on her street knew each other. When she saw a truck across the street doing work at her neighbor’s house, she made the assumption that the neighbor knew them.

When the man approached her to see if she had any work she quickly agreed that she needed someone to repair her deck. She kept writing checks to the individual for more materials, and while there were building materials gradually accumulating in her back yard, no work was being done. It also appeared he was actually damaging parts of the deck that were structurally sound in order to drag out the job. The

“contractor” was bringing the checks to the bank and cashing them, purchasing a few materials and keeping the rest of the cash. The bank branch, being familiar with the customer, knew this wasn’t normal.

Branch staff called Myra to confirm she had signed these checks and wanted them cashed. She said the person cashing them was doing work on her house and yes to cash them.

I then called and spoke with her and, as we talked about various scams taking place in her neighborhood, home repairs, tree removal etc., she decided to check with her neighbors about the work he had done for them. Long story short, they didn’t know him, he just showed up. Myra also admitted to me she was afraid of him. Her husband was out of the country and she was there alone. Myra, a retired professor decided to conquer her fears and fire the contractor, but not without making a police report. Myra didn’t get her money back but the police made sure the “contractor” knew he was no longer welcome in our town.

Myra assured me she would get qualified referrals if she ever needed work done at her home again.

Ms. Reggie Wilhite is Vice President of Security for Boone County National Bank, an affiliate of Central Bancompany, a family of companies, including Central Trust and Investment Company, that operate community banks in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Oklahoma. https://www.boonebank.com/ http://www.centralbancompany.com/Home/ http://www.centralbancompany.com/Pages/ About-Us/Our-Family/ https://www.centrustco.com/ Reggie Wilhite can be reached by email. reggie_wilhite@boonebank.com or by phone; 573-874-8511

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Virginia lived in an older well-established neighborhood with many large trees. An early spring storm had gone through town and many roofs and trees had suffered damage. Like magic, a woman appeared at Virginia’s door and said her crew would remove the dead limbs and tree trunks for a small fee. The woman prepared a contract for Virginia to sign agreeing to the work to be done. The trucks outside were new models, the men were large, and the work was getting done. Virginia was a widow and not familiar with how much this type of work would cost, but she knew she couldn’t do it herself so she paid the requested amount. Then some more work was identified and she paid them again….

Virginia paid four times the amount a legitimate tree service would have charged. The checks were to be made out to the woman that came to the door, not to the tree service. Little did Virginia know that banks all over town were making it difficult to cash checks payable to the owner of the tree service, so he was having his girlfriend cash them. She also didn’t know he had been intimidating and badgering the elderly saying they had signed a contract and he would take them to court if they did not pay.

purchase the second batch of Green Dot cards and discreetly strikes up a conversation with the customer service person at the bank. The bank personnel then assists the husband in convincing Margaret that she is the victim of a scam. Green Dot worked with the bank and the customer to return many of the funds on the cards that had not been used yet. The husband was very grateful that we could explain and assist them in stopping the fraud and help them recover their money.

Banks had noticed the large dollar amounts payable to this man and most of the checks were drawn on their customers that were elderly and lived in prominent neighborhoods. The banks knew that this was not normal for their customers to write checks of this amount to strangers. When the banks called the customer to verify, the customer usually wanted it paid because they were afraid the man would come back to their home if they stopped payment. This particular tree trimming con artist goes from town to town, just barely keeping it legal so there is no arrest and no case for prosecutors to pursue. Banks and law enforcement however worked together to make sure the “Tree Service” knows they are not welcome in their town.

So what is your best protection? TALK TO YOUR BANK! Or, at a minimum, contact your most level headed friend or family member, the one who is not afraid of offending you or telling you not to do something. If you find yourself reluctant to talk to anyone, that is your first clue that something may be wrong. Most of us know when we are making a mistake and for some reason want to follow it through to the end and not involve anyone else. Con artists and criminals count on our embarrassment. Many of these types of crimes go unreported because the victim is just too embarrassed.

Margaret gets a phone call from the IRS saying she owes back taxes and unless she pays immediately she will be arrested. Then she is given explicit instruction on how to pay the back taxes. If she does it this particular way she will avoid any penalties.

She is instructed to go to Walmart and purchase “Green Dot” cards. (Green Dot cards are reloadable MasterCard Debit and Credit Cards). Margaret’s husband brings her to the bank to get the cash to

No matter your age or your level of intelligence, you are a potential target of fraud. Once you are a victim, you will probably be targeted again. The loss to victims is more than financial. The additional stress can cause health and relationship problems that impact their lives significantly. Young couples facing bankruptcy may end up in divorce as well. Older customers still on their own but close to a time where they will need some assistance may take a downturn in health and no longer have the choice of downsizing their home or looking into assisted living. Becoming a victim will often take away their option of deciding when they are ready to make that move and force it on them.

If the bank teller asks you how you came to have this check for $2,567.98 drawn off a bank on the East or West coast, don’t be offended or think they are too nosey. They have probably recently seen a similar check that turned out to be counterfeit and they are just trying to protect you. If a bank teller asks you for your Identification, thank them. If you don’t know the teller, they don’t know you either.

Don’t be afraid of the banks online banking products that will let you see your banking activity everyday if you choose. Banks have a great deal of technology

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that assist with flagging exceptions or unusual activity on your account. But the customer is the only one that can determine if their account activity is normal. You can look at your activity daily with online banking products offered by your bank.

Don’t be afraid of using debit or credit cards, just don’t give anyone your pin number or access to them.

Laws are written to protect the consumer if they lose their card or someone uses it without authorization.

Just don’t give someone your pin number or write it on your card. If your check book is lost or stolen, the bank has to close your checking account and open a new one. If you lose your debit card, we close the card and issue you a new one but you keep the same checking account. This saves you the hassle of contacting insurance companies, utility companies, Social Security or others that legitimately debit and credit your checking account automatically.

Most banks also have products or recommendations regarding Identity Theft Protection. Don’t forget, your banker has probably seen or heard it all by now, and they are there to help you make sound decisions when it comes to your money.

RESOURCES Your Bank– Notify them immediately of any phone calls or unsolicited inquiries. Call them about anything – the check payable to you that just showed up in the mail, the guy in England that wants to buy your car that you posted on Craig’s List, or the guy on your door step offering to do repairs.

Federal Trade Commission enforces consumer protection laws and accepts reports of fraud, identity theft and phishing. They provide information that will guide victims through the reporting and recovery process following fraud or identity theft. https:// www.ftc.gov/ or https://www.ftccomplaintassistant. gov/#crnt&panel1-1 Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the FBI and the National White collar Crime Center – is a place for reporting federally if you are a victim, you can subscribe for alerts and it also provides prevention tips for when using the Internet. http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

Missouri Attorney General Consumer Complaints – they receive complaints and prosecute individuals or companies that commit Consumer Fraud. https:// ago.mo.gov/app/Complaints/Consumer Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – They have staff that support and investigate reports of mental, physical or financial abuse against any individual who is disabled or drawing social security benefits. You can even place a call for yourself if you think you are being exploited and have no one to help you work through the complaint and recovery process with these other agencies. http://health. mo.gov/safety/abuse/index.php 1-800-392-0210 – Elder Abuse Hotline 1-800-235-5503 Information and Referral United States Internal Revenue Service does a good job of informing consumers regarding scams with regard to tax reporting or con-men pretending to work for the IRS. http://www.irs.gov/uac/TaxScams-Consumer-Alerts Scam Busters is a nonprofit organization that describes on this web site all of the various scams that are out there and you can subscribe to be notified of new scams that have developed http://www.scambusters.org/ Snopes.com is a good place to check out any type of urban legend or gossip you saw on Facebook or other social media or a scam you heard of. Such as enter your pin number backward at an ATM if you are attacked and the ATM will call 911 (no that does not work). Quite entertaining plus it tells you what rumors or true or false. People spread rumors about missing children, politicians, post hoax photo’s etc.

Snopes investigates and tells you if fact of fiction. http://www.snopes.com/info/whatsnew.asp

This is the first of several articles involving scams, frauds and other privacy issues that could affect your finances and livlihoods. Our next article will focus on Catfishing: The phenomenon of Internet scammers who fabricate online identities and entire social circles to trick people into romantic relationships and eventually ruin them financially.

Spring Issue 2015 page 9

Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program

Working for a Good Cause The members of Violet Chapter #480, Order of the Eastern Star have helped children in the Stockton, Missouri community for years. About two years ago, they found out about a program offered through the Masonic Home of Missouri that would allow them to double their charitable funds that were designated to help children with clothing and shoes. By partnering with Stockton R-I School District and the Home, the Chapter was able to participate in the Creating-APartnership (CAP) Program.

“It was extremely easy to fill out the application. You basically just tell the Home what the funds will be used for and who your partner is in the program, and they will match the funds”, Ms. Pat Atkisson, Secretary of Violet Chapter says, “It doubles what we can do and it’s foolish to not use this program to do good in your own community.”

Items purchased for the school included shoes, socks and some undergarments for children in need. The items are kept in the school nurse’s office for times when children come in and the nurse notices that they have shoes that are in bad shape or are not wearing socks. Many times, essentials such as socks and undergarments are just not part of a family’s budget and are not purchased. Items are purchased locally, which also helps with the local economy.

that assistance gives us satisfaction. There are times were we have also provided basic hygiene products for children at the school. It’s hard when you don’t have a hairbrush or a toothbrush and in some cases deodorant and you have a class like physical education. This program is for helping those in our own community and working for a good cause.”

Helping the Survivors Submitted by Scott Shultz, Secretary of Pauldingville Lodge No. 11 (photo courtesy of the Lodge)

On Thursday February 5, 2014, Pauldingville Lodge #11 AF&AM in Wright City held its annual Mardis Gras Banquet. In addition to enjoying an evening of Masonic fellowship (along with homemade jambalaya, red beans and rice and crawfish etouffee), they also presented The Turning Point Emergency Shelter with a check for $3600. Turning Point provides emergency shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Warren County and the surrounding area.

In the Fall of 2014, we became aware of the fact that the shelter, which has the capacity to house 20 women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, only had one working bathroom. One of the core beliefs of Freemasonry is charity and this was one cause that definitely needed our help. Our lodge in Wright City is also very fortunate to have several members who are involved in the building trades Ms. Atkisson says, “Knowing that the school nurse such as an architect, a general contractor, master can say ‘I need help’ and we (the Chapter) can provide plumber and electrician, an HVAC technician, a page10 Missouri Outreach

contractor supply sales representative and even a retired high school shop teacher.

Once the committee was formed to take on this project, they went to area hardware, plumbing and building supply companies and were able to get almost everything donated or supplied at a reduced rate, including a new washer and dryer. In addition to the actual building supplies and fixtures, they also raised $1800 in cash donations to cover those items that were not supplied free of charge. That money was matched by the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) program. Of the many services they offer, one of them is to provide financial assistance to programs that benefit children, whether they have a Masonic affiliation or not.

Construction has already begun and should be complete by early Spring. When completed, the shelter will have not one, but two additional bathrooms, new shower and bath facilities and a brand new laundry facility. In addition to that, the balance of the money will be used to take care of long overdue maintenance and repairs to the facility.

When presented with the check, Turning Point Director Ellen Reed expressed her gratitude for our generosity. And equally as important, she was also grateful that the workmen from the lodge were providing a positive and friendly presence to the children.

Plans for the future relationship between the lodge and Turning Point include taking the children fishing or maybe just to a movie under the supervision of The Turning Point staff.

Check Presentation Submitted by Ed Kapelski, Worshipful Master, and Bobby Grisham, Masonic Home Representative of Robert Burns Masonic Lodge No. 496 (photo courtesy of the Lodge)

Ed Kapelski, left, master of Robert Burns Masonic Lodge No. 496, and Bobby Grisham, Masonic Home Representative, on January 6, 2015 presented a check for $470 to Dora School counselor, Tyne Rose Tuesday (right).

As part of the Masons’ Needy Children Program, members of the Lodge have been selling cases of popcorn during home ball games at Dora and Gainesville Schools. Profits from the popcorn sales are matched by the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) program. Funds are used to purchase items that students cannot afford, from clothes to toiletries to school supplies.

“No one knows more about what the students need than the couselors at the schools,” said Grisham, who has been a Masonic Home Representative since 2000. “The Needy Children Program started in 2005, and we’ve been able to help local students since its beginning.”

Let’s Do it Again!

Douglas County is a county located in the southcentral portion of the State of Missouri. As of the 2013 census, the population was 13,515. The county seat and only incorporated community is Ava. Persons living under the poverty level for Douglas County is From left to right: Bill Gatewood, Kevin Gerloff (Project Architect), 26.6%, much higher than the 15.5% for Missouri.

Ken Dingerson (Project Coordinator), Ellen Reed – Turning Point The need for community services is great. “Children Director, Josh Frillman, Terry Fleetwood and Conley DePriest.

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in our community oftentimes do not have enough nutritious food over the weekend or holidays”.

Connie Bacorn, Secretary of Ava Chapter #47 in Ava, Missouri says. “Our Masons have been providing shoes through a Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) project for years. When our Chapter found out about the need for the food backpacks in our school district, we knew we needed to help out.”

Members of OES Chapter #47 made a donation of $670 to the Ava Back Pack Program this week. Accepting the check are members of the Leadership Class, coordinated by Liz Kyger. Masonic Home of Missouri matched the money contributed by OES through the Creating a Partnership program. Pictured from left are Doris Morrison, OES Worthy Matron; McKenna Hunsaker, Maddie Guill and Jacob Lueberring representing the Leadership Class; Connie Bacorn, OES Secretary; Mike Bock OES Worthy Patron; and Liz Kyger. (photo courtesty of the Chapter)

This was the first time that the Chapter had applied for the matching funds through the Masonic Home of Missouri and due to their experience, the members are already working towards doing another project called “Reading Counts” with the retired teachers in Ava. “When I sent out the dues cards for our Chapter, I included a photograph of our first check presentation with them and asked for donations towards this new project. The donations have been coming in and we are really excited to submit our next application”.

Connie continued, “The program is wonderful. The forms are pretty much self-explanatory. There really isn’t a reason not to do it. You get to give back double what you raised and so many are helped. I really do encourage Lodges and Chapters to become involved in this partnership with the Masonic Home of Missouri and their own communities.”

You may find more information about the program and applications on our website at www. mohome.org or by calling Tisha Woodard, Social Services Caseworker at (800) 434-9804.

Community Affair One of the popular ways to partner with the Masonic Home of Missouri and help your community is to provide a backpack full of kid-friendly, nutritious food for the school district’s local Food Pack Program.

Cuba Chapter #398, Order of the Eastern Star, has worked hard to support the Friday Backpacks of Cuba organization that assists Crawford County R-II School District children.

Approximately 56,000 students in the state qualify for free and reduced-priced school meals. For many of them, breakfast and lunch at school offer the only source of reliable nutrition, and they are at risk of hunger over the weekend. The Friday Backpack of Cuba Organization makes 150 backpacks filled with kid-friendly, nutritious food that students take home over the weekend or holiday periods to supplement their meals when there is not enough for them to eat at home. After the weekend, the kids bring their empty backpack back to the school to be refilled by the members of Cuba Chapter.

Photo of the Cuba Chapter #398, Order of the Eastern Star, check presentation to the Friday Backpack of Cuba Organziation

The weekly cost to provide 150 backpacks is approximately $8.00/per child/per week. Funds to support this project come from several sources including Cuba Chapter #398 holding a community breakfast in the fall, a rummage & bake sale in Spring and selling ads for a birthday/anniversary calendar that is distributed by the Chapter. All items for the backpacks are purchased locally at a grocery store that

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Missouri Outreach

is owned by a Mason. Ms. Bea Whiteside, Treasurer for Cuba Chapter #398 says, “Mr. Randy Mace, a member of Cuba Lodge No. 312 has been incredibly supportive by helping us get the food at wholesale prices. This has truly been a community affair though. We receive help from the local McDonalds and other businesses to ensure that we can fill the backpacks.”

When asked about how the Chapter manages the program, Bea laughed and said, “Just make sure you have someone in charge that is willing, able and enthusiastic! For us, that would be Willis and Faye Howard. Getting the matching funds is really easy but for our Chapter, we wanted to actually purchase the food and fill the backpacks. Faye is the Chairperson for our Ways and Means Committee. Faye and Willis pick up the food, unload it, and pack the backpacks every week and stock the shelves for the next week.

Of course, everyone who can helps but they have been really driving our success with this program.”

“This backpack food program has made such a difference in the lives of the students who receive the goods”. Faye Howard explains, “We know from the school district that many of the children have raised their grades and have totally changed attitudes on Monday due to the fact that they are not hungry after a weekend. Many of them have either gained or even lost weight due to the fact that they are eating healthier. We even received word from a teacher that one of the student’s hygiene had drastically improved and the mother of that child sent us a note that said it had given her family a little extra boost to do better since the community cared enough to make sure that the child was able to eat properly on the weekends.”

When asked how Mrs. Howard would encourage other Chapters or Lodges to become involved in the Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program, Faye laughed and said “First, get organized! Find out what others are doing and how they are doing it. Make sure you have people willing to help out and talk about it. Ask questions, find out the answers and make a difference. This project has made an impact on a generation of children in our community. It has truly become a community affair.”

This Lodge is a’Poppin Submitted by Ed Kapelski, Worshipful Master, and Bobby Grisham, Masonic Home Representative of Robert Burns Masonic Lodge No. 496 (photo courtesy of the Lodge)

Robert Burns Masonic Lodge No. 496 presented a check for $500 to Gainesville Elementary School on Friday, January 23, 2015. As part of the Masons’ Needy Children Program, members of the Lodge have been selling cases of popcorn during home ball games at the school. Profits from the popcorn sales are matched by the Masonic Home of Missouri Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program. Funds generated by the popcorn sales will help fund the school’s Backpack Program, which provides a take home bag of nutritious child-friendly food for children who might otherwise go hungry over the weekends.

Ed Kapelski, left, Msater of Robert Burns Masonic Lodge No. 496, and Bobby Grisham, Masonic Home Representative, presenting a check for $500 to Gainesville Elementary School counselor Elaine Waterman and GES Principal, Jason Morris.

Getting Back to Basics Cover Photo is of Riverview Chapter #315 of Angie Walter, Worthy Matron presenting a check to Dr. Chris Neale, Superintendent of Gasconade County R-1 Schools. (photo courtesy of the Chapter).

Riverview Chapter #315 is getting back to the basics....back to the basic school supplies that many children in their community need, that is. “The Chapter was discussing ways to become involved in the community.” Ms. Angela Walter, member of the Chapter, stated. “We had received a bequest from Ms. Nan Sellenschutter, a seventy-four year member of our Chapter and due to her being a retired school

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teacher, our Chapter felt we should do something that honored her work in education and with children.”

Each year, the Chapter has $2,000.00 to help children in the community. This year, the Chapter chose to donate funds to the local Little League Program, assisted with the repair/replacement of fencing at the City Park, and particpated in the Creating-APartnership (CAP) Program with the Gasconade County R-I Schools and the Masonic Home of Missouri.

The Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) was established by the Masonic Home of Missouri in 2003. The CAP Program is a matching funds program that allows the Masonic Home of Missouri to partner with Missouri Lodges and Order of the Eastern Star Chapters in a community to help children in need. The Masonic Home of Missouri may match up to $10,000.00 per Lodge or Chapter each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

Lodges and Chapters can identify child/children or projects within their communities through public charitable organizations or public entities, such as school districts.

In FY14, the Masonic Home of Missouri partnered with 74 Lodges to provide $142,051.79 to children in need throughout the state, and the Home partnered with 6 Chapters to provide $7,588.08. Through the partnership, Lodges and Chapters made a difference in the lives of over 7,000 children statewide by providing clothing, glasses, school supplies, and funding community-oriented projects.

You may find more information about the program and applications on our website at www.mohome. org or by calling Tisha Woodard, Social Services Caseworker at (800) 434-9804.

Picture: Dr. Chris Neale, Superintendent of Gasconade County R-1 Schools and Angie Walter, Worthy Matron of Riverview Chapter #315, O.E.S. (photo courtesy of the Chapter)

“This is the first year that we have participated in the Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program. It was actually at the urging of the Sullivan Chapter that we looked into it. Their members told us that we could be doubling our funds, so we talked to Tisha Woodard at the Masonic Home. It was actually really easy.”

Angela said, “The supplies are used for our students at the school district. We purchase the basic supplies such as paper, dry erase markers and post-it notes.

Many of the items are used in conjunction with our Guided Reading Groups, which help children continue to improve on their reading skills.”

Angela laughed when asked if the Chapter would participate in the program again and said, “Absolutely!

I encourage all Chapters and Lodges to contact the Home and talk with Tisha about the program. Please consider doing this program, as it increases the good you can do in your community.”

Masonic Home of Missouri Representative Luncheon Monday, September 28, 2015 Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Holiday Inn Executive Center Columbia, MO (Annual Communication Week) Please RSVP by August 31, 2015 to Rhonda at Rlightfoot@mohome.org or by calling (800) 434-9804. We regret that we are unable to accomodate spouses or more than one (1) representative from your Lodge due to limited space & training material needs.

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Planned Giving - It’s Easier Than You Think !

Many people enjoy making gifts in support of one or more charitable interests. Over time, many ways of making gifts have been created that allow you to give while also meeting a number of personal planning goals.

Eight of the most popular ways to structure gifts are listed below: 1.

Bequest by Will

2. Stocks and Securities 3.

Real Estate

4.

Life Insurance

5.

Retirement Assets

6.

Charitable Gift Annuities

7.

Charitable Lead Trusts

8.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

These plans may be used to help provide for personal needs and those of loved ones while also giving current, capital and/or endowment support for one or more charitable recipients.

A number of the gifts can be completed using plans that may already be in place for other purposes.

Other gifts can result from plans specifically tailored in ways that provide income and other benefits while helping minimize income, capital gains, and estate and gift taxes.

Remembering the Masonic Home with a planned gift can benefit you and the Masonic Home. It can help reduce your taxes, while showing your commitment to caring for your Masonic brothers, sisters and children in need. Your gifts ensure the future of the Masonic Home’s programs. Please contact Jackie Walters, Major Gifts Officer, at (800) 434-9804, or by email at jwalters@mohome.org with further questions.

Each donor’s circumstances are different and tax and other financial benefits may vary over time. Check with your financial advisor for the most recent state and federal laws and regulations before completing a particular gift.

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The Voices of the Veterans Program A Hidden Gem Deb Merrick U.S. Army Veteran When you are a blonde haired, blue-eyed female and are stationed in Korea, you tend to stand out. Deb Merrick served in the U.S. Army from 1982-1986 and in the Active Reserves from 1986-1988 as a medic.

Her first duty station was 121st Evac Hospital in Seoul, Korea, then a year at Fort Ord, California, and a second tour in HQ Company of 2nd Medical Battalion at Camp Casey, Korea. “You don’t realize the true sense of ambassadorship you have when you are in the military until you realize that you are being handed someone’s grandchild as though your touch would bless the child, seeing the different cultures and that despite the Korean War, many of the people you are speaking with have never seen an American.”

Deb says, “Their entire sense of who Americans are is based on your behavior.”

Military life instills a greater sense of discipline in some people and Deb, who is a member of Swope Park Chapter #520, Order of the Eastern Star, in Kansas City

and Grand Representative of Tennessee in Missouri, has noticed that it sometimes translates to her present day life. Deb says, “Sometimes I see members of the Eastern Star struggle with understanding how to go through the chain of command or understand why certain protocols are needed. For me, it’s pretty easy as my military training has instilled this in me.”

When asked what her perception was regarding female veterans and their communities, Deb laughed and said “When I was in the military, it was easier to travel around as a woman because our haircuts didn’t readily identify us like they did with the men. Now though, I think when people say they are a Veteran, more people tend to think of it in a ‘male sense’, but there are many female veterans in our communities.

I remember trying to join the American Legion years ago but was told I could only join the Legion’s Auxiliary because I was a woman. I finally joined about 20 years later but that first introduction stayed with me.”

Deb had heard that the Home was introducing a new program geared to veterans and stated, “I am really glad to see the Masonic Home of Missouri introduce the Veterans Program, especially the Partnering-toHonor (PTH) Program section that will be matching

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funds for care packages. I love that part! I remember receiving care packages from my family and how those packages and letters helped me when I was so far away. Sometimes my family would include a tape cassette and I could hear their voices. It really helped when I received that reminder from home.”

Deb Merrick during her military service time. Deb served in the U. S. Army and Active Reserves. (photo courtesy of Deb Merrick)

things that I would never have gotten the chance to, if I hadn’t gone”. Russ says, “We went to Arlington National Cemetery and you just don’t realize how large it really is, until you see it with your own eyes.

Massive. It’s a once in a lifetime honor to be there.”

Russ’s voice broke and then he continued with a lump in his throat, “You know you get a little older and sometimes things hurt a little more but I…I..tried to walk the Vietnam Wall, but I just couldn’t do it. I was just overcome by the significance of all of it. I did get a special salute from the Honor Guard when they were changing out their posts. The Guard went up into this little house and as he came down the stairs, he walked by me and did a double shuffle to let me know that he (the soldier) knew I was there. It was so meaningful.”

After becoming a Mason in 1959, Russ became active in the Scottish Rite, then the Shrine and later, he

The 11st District of the Order of the Eastern Star has sent care packages to deployed soldiers in the past and Deb is going to discuss with line officers how the Partnering to Honor Program could help by providing matching funds. Deb continues with her sense of ambassadorship and the Masonic Home of Missouri is grateful for her service, both as a Veteran and as a Masonic Home program supporter.

Special Salute Ryland Russell “Russ” Foster U.S. Air Force Veteran Sometimes interviewing people about their life experiences can literally move you to tears. Mr. Ryland Russell “Russ” Foster, member of Shawnee Lodge No. 653 did just that when he started describing his Honor Flight experience in 2013. Russ is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served for the first three years of his military career with the U.S. Coast Guard and finished 27 more years with the Air Force.

Mr. Ryland Russell “Russ”. Foster, member of Shawnee Lodge No. 653 and retired military veteran. Russ is wearing his Masonic Home of Missouri’s Veteran’s lapel pin on his hat. (photo courtesy of Russ Foster)

joined York Rite but is currently very active in the Order of the Eastern Star with his wife of 57 years, Martha. “I went a lot of places while in the military; Kansas, North Dakota, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska, even Okinawa, Japan but the trip on the Honor Flight was the most amazing thing I’ve done that was military affiliated. You know you have to be sponsored by someone, a company or an organization in order to

“I enjoyed going on the Honor Flight tremendously.

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go on the Honor Flight. My sponsor at that time was Kirby Vacuum Cleaners. I am so grateful for their sponsorship and what it has meant to me to be able to go on the Honor Flight. What the Masonic Home is doing by partnering with the Lodges or Chapters to match the funds needed to sponsor someone for the Honor Flight is incredible”. Russ pauses for a moment and then added, “I called the Home and got my veterans lapel pin. I put it on my Korean & Vietnam Veteran hat with my other pins. You know, I am really proud of my service.”

We are too, Russ....very proud.

A Hidden Gem Claudia Spooner U.S. Air Force Veteran Claudia Spooner belongs to Acacia Chapter #42 (Polo, MO), dual with Chillicothe Chapter #113 (Chillicothe, MO), Order of the Eastern Star. She serves as the District Deputy Grand Matron for the 5th District and drives a school bus for the local school district in her ‘spare’ time. Claudia is a hidden gem. While, she does not walk around the community with a flashing sign over her head to indicate her uniqueness neither is she asked about her background.

Claudia is a retired 31 year Air Force Veteran and said, “I was prompted to serve through some life changing events, so I enlisted. In 1977, I was stationed in San Antonio, received my technical training at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado, then I was sent to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. I met my husband, Bill, there and he is also retired from the Air Force.

I worked in avionic maintenance, then did some analyzing of aircraft problems, even worked in the motor pool and drove a bus for a while with the Air Force. I ended my career in education and training though.”

Claudia and her husband, William “Bill” Spooner registered in the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Veteran’s database and will receive their special Veterans lapel pin soon. Claudia explains, “I feel that

this Veterans Program is a wonderful way to recognize all of our Veterans and I’m glad to see female veterans be recognized through it. I just feel that oftentimes, female veterans are not as recognized and especially ones with Masonic connections and affiliations.

Both of my grandfathers were Masons and Shriners, my husband is a Mason and I am a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. I am also a female veteran.

I’m proud of my service, both to the United States Air Force and to the Order of the Eastern Star.”

When asked what her perception of how female veterans can make a difference, Claudia laughed and said, “It’s important for us, as female veterans, to get our stories and faces out there. Many times, we are a hidden asset in our community. We have received training and education that could be utilized, if only we were asked. We make a difference in our communities, as women, as members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and as Veterans.”

Claudia Spooner at her retirement ceremony.

Claudia served for 31 years in the Air Foce and is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. (photo courtesy of

Claudia Spooner)

Masonic Home of Missouri 13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament The 13th Annual Masonic Home of Missouri Charity Golf Tournament is being held on Monday, May 4th at the Columbia Country Club in Columbia, MO. For more information on the event or sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website at www.mohome.org or contact Julie Kirchhoff or Jackie Walters at (800) 434-9804.

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What’s in the Numbers?

3

issues of the Miss our i Outreach magazine are published yearly.

The fourth issue is our Annual Report. Back issues are available in limited quantities by calling (800) 434-9804. All issues are also available for your reading pleasure on our website at www. mohome.org.

11 468

Lodges/Chapters participated in the Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program in Missouri Masonic District B during FY14.

A total of 80 Lodges/ Chapters participated during this same time period.

10, 2015)

3,899

42,196

widows pins have been sent by the Masonic Home of Missouri since 2011.

Missouri Master Masons, honored widows and Order of the Eastern Star Chapters recieved the winter issue of the Missouri Outreach magazine in December 2014/ January 2015.

$189,551.76 in financial assistance was provided for Missouri Masonic District E during FY14. A complete map of all assistance provided per districts can be found in the FY14 Annual Report. This report can be found on-line at www.mohome. org or can be mailed upon request.

217

Masonic Veterans have received the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Veteran Lapel Pin. This special pin recognizes Veterans for their support and sacrifices. (as of March

1

Lodge or Chapter can make a difference in the lives of MANY

children in your community by participating in the Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program.

25

points may be awarded as part of the Grand Lodge Achievement Award if your Lodge participates in the Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program. This matching funds program allows the Masonic Home of Missouri to partner with Missouri Lodges and Order of the Eastern Star Chapters in a community to help children in need.

The Masonic Home of Missouri may match up to $10,000 per Lodge or Chapter each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

engraved pavers are currently in place on the Square & Compass Courtyard. Another ten have been ordered and will soon be set in place. Is there someone or a special Lodge/Chapter, you would like to honor? If so, contact Julie Kirchhoff at (800) 4349804 or email at jkirchhoff@mohome.org.

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VA Benefits: Veterans Pension, Survivors Pension, Housebound, and Aid & Attendance Carly Dibben Financial Counseling Caseworker The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers many services and supports to our Nation’s heroes.

Healthcare and medication are available through the numerous VA hospitals throughout the country.

VA Loans assist veterans to purchase homes with favorable terms and competitive interest rates. And for many aging veterans and their loved ones who are struggling to make ends meet, Veterans Affairs can provide supplemental income benefits. These are known as Veterans Pension, Survivors Pension, Housebound, and Aid & Attendance benefits. All of these benefits are tax-free income and based on the veteran’s or survivor’s income and net worth.

The Veterans Pension is available to qualifying low-income wartime veterans. Minimum service requirements for this benefit are having completed at least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day during a wartime period. The service requirement goes up to 24 months, or the full period the service member was ordered to active duty, if the veteran entered active duty after September 7, 1980.

The age requirement for this benefit is 65 or older.

Exceptions are made to the age guideline for those veterans that are totally and permanently disabled, residents of skilled nursing care facilities, and those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Social Security Income.

under the age of 18, under the age of 23 and attending a VA-approved school, or be deemed disabled prior to the age of 18 and permanently unable to support themselves.

Additional income assistance is available to those who qualify for Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension if they are housebound or require the aid of another person. These benefits are known as Housebound and Aid & Attendance. Both are allowance increases to the pension amount and are available to both veterans and un-remarried surviving spouses. However, one cannot receive both Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time. To qualify for Housebound benefits, the recipient must be largely confined to their residence due to permanent disability.

Unlike Housebound, there are several qualifying health conditions for the Aid & Attendance benefit.

One would be that the veteran or surviving spouse requires another person to assist them with normal activities of daily living; such as bathing, eating, dressing, supervision for safety purposes, and so on.

Another qualifying health condition would be that they are bedridden due to their disabilities. Those who are patients in a skilled nursing care facility for physical or mental health concerns would also qualify.

And lastly, those with significant visual impairment, even with corrective devices and treatment, would meet requirements for Aid & Attendance.

The Survivors Pension is also known as the Death Pension.

Any un-remarried surviving spouse and unmarried children of the deceased veteran are eligible to apply for this benefit if the deceased The income and net worth requirements for Aid & service member had met the service requirements Attendance and Housebound benefits are higher than for the Veteran Pension. The un-remarried widow for those of the Veterans and Survivors Pensions. or widower would qualify for this benefit at any age.

Therefore, veterans and surviving spouses who were However, children of the deceased veteran must be denied for not meeting the income and net worth page 20 Missouri Outreach

requirements of either pension might qualify in the future should their care needs increase requiring them to be confined to their home or needing additional care supports.

In order to apply for the Veterans or Survivors Pensions, you must complete an application, also known as the VA Form 21-534EZ. This form can be downloaded and printed from the US Department of Veterans Affairs website, www.va.gov, or obtained at your local regional benefits office. For those wishing to apply for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits in addition to a pension, additional documentation from your physician regarding your health concerns will be required. Once an application is completed, it should be submitted to your local regional benefits office.

Veterans and surviving family members in the state of Missouri can also contact the Missouri Department of Public Safety Veterans Commission. The Veterans Commission has offices and Veterans Service Officers throughout the state that can assist in completing application for benefits. If you have further questions about these benefits or eligibility, please contact your local Veterans Commission Regional Office to find your local Veterans Service Officer. They can answer all your questions and assist you through the application process free of charge.

Missouri Department of Public Safety Veterans Commission Regional Offices: Northwest Region Northeast Region 660-530-5544 573-882-5135

Donate In Honor of or In Memory of a loved one A memorial or honorary gift is a meaningful way to celebrate someone important to you. Your taxdeductible donation will help the Masonic Home of Missouri provide a wide range of programs that support Missouri Masons, honored widows, ladies of the Order of the Eastern Star and children across the state.

To make a memorial or honorary gift, mail your donation to: Masonic Home of Missouri, 6033 Masonic Drive Ste A, Columbia MO 65202. If you would like a personalized card to be sent to the person or family of the person in whose name the donation was made, please include their contact information with your donation.

Mark Your Calendar!

Masonic Home of Missouri Annual Truman Club Dinner Saturday, September 26, 2015 Columbia, MO

Southwest Region Southeast Region 573-451-2533 573-290-5752 St. Louis Region 314-552-9885 Information in this article was obtained from the following sources: http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/vetpen.asp http://mvc.dps.mo.gov/

The Truman Club is a dedicated group of donors who support the Home with ongoing annual giving of at least $100 per year.

To become a member of this elite group of supporters, contact Julie Kirchhoff at (800) 434-9804 or jkirchhoff@mohome.org for an application.

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All It Takes Is Change Sometimes it just takes change. Really! As in loose change that is collected in two large plastic bottled water containers located at the outer door and another in the dining room of Troy Lodge No. 34 to make a permanent impression on many others. Each coin dropped into the bottles adds to the continuing etched legacy of Troy Lodge No. 34 that started almost 10 years ago. In 2005, James “Russ” Tinker, a member of Wayne Lodge moved to Troy, Missouri to be closer to his family and shared the idea of purchasing a commemorative paver stone on behalf of Troy Lodge No. 34 for the Masonic Complex’s Square & Compass Courtyard. Thus began a long-standing tradition for the lodge.

Visiting the Masonic Complex’s Square & Compass Courtyard in Columbia, Missouri is a delight to anyone. A gurgling Koi pond with beautiful landscaped greenery sits on the edge of the courtyard, which is shadowed by birch trees and weeping willows. As you walk over the courtyard, your feet seem to slow and stop at different paver stones as you read their inscriptions. Some are in honor of members, their wives, or even of Masonic offices held; others are in memory of a loved one, of a faithful long-time member of a chapter or a lodge, or of a lodge that is no longer. You will soon notice the many paver stones that Troy Lodge has faithfully purchased throughout the years.

The lodge members have found a unique way to collect their loose change in the bottles which have a nice placard stating what the change will be used for and including a picture of the courtyard and garden area. Every Communication, event or gathering that happens at the Lodge, whether Masonic in nature or a community event, someone drops their change into the bottles. Some of the members drop only pennies; another member collects all of the dimes from his home and then brings them in. Even paper currency has found its way into the bottles. Youth groups, such as the Wentzville Assembly of Rainbow Girls #114 and the area traveling U18 Girls Soccer Club, have joined in the loose change custom in exchange for using the kitchen and dining room facilities by sharing their coins.

The Lodge recognizes their Masonic Widows annually at Christmas with a gift in addition to mentioning that a stone will again be placed in their continued honor.

The Lodge also has several stones in the Courtyard that were donated in recognition of the efforts of the Masonic Home in the support of a particular member of the Lodge, or if no

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particular member, then to the continued efforts of the Home. “It’s very easy to purchase a paver stone.

We find out what the current cost of the stone is, pass the request through the Lodge’s Secretary and Treasurer with a letter to the Masonic Home with the request and accompanying design and a lodge check” James “Jim” Ditter, the Masonic Home Representative for Troy Lodge went on to say, “We have had paver stones purchased by individuals showing their personal continued support of the Masonic Home and a few stones that have the Brother’s name, as well as his spouse’s name recognizing his gratitude for her continued support of his Masonic career.”

Several of the members of the Lodge visit the Veterans Hospital in Columbia for routine healthcare, and it is not uncommon for the members to stop and visit with the staff of the Home, Grand Lodge, visit the Masonic Museum and Lodge of Research Library, then walk through the courtyard and garden area. Every year, during Grand Lodge’s Annual Communication and events such as Masonic Youth Day, members from Troy Lodge No. 34 visit the lasting impressions that show their hard work and dedication to the support of the Masonic Home of Missouri.

“We would like to encourage every Lodge to take ownership of the Courtyard and make your mark!

Make it fun and find a creative way to gather your loose change. We all know that a coffee cup or cup

holder in the car can hold a lot of change and that adds up fast. Set up a cup at home specifically for your next paver stone.” Jim says, “Be creative, push the limits on the design you want placed on your stone. Look forward to your lodge’s stone being placed, so at the next event you can take a new lodge member or even your most senior member over to the courtyard and show off your work and dedication to the support of the Masonic Home.”

After all…it only takes change to make a lasting impression!

The Masonic Home of Missouri’s Square & Compass Courtyard is a unique area located at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, where you, your Masonic Lodge or your Eastern Star Chapter can show your Masonic support by having a granite paver stone engraved.

When you make a donation to the Masonic Home, your high-quality granite stone will be personalized with laser engraving and become your permanent legacy at the Complex. Benches within the courtyard can also be engraved.

If you wish to have a stone or bench engraved for yourself, your lodge or chapter, or in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact Julie Kirchhoff at (800) 434-9804 or jkirchhoff@mohome.org.

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Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Dr., Ste A Columbia, MO 65202 Phone: (573) 814-4663 Toll Free: (800) 434-9804 Fax: (573) 814-4663

Important Dates Sunday, April 18, 2015 • Board of Director’s Meeting in St. Louis, MO Saturday, April 18, 2015 • Presentation at Butler Lodge No. 254 (Butler, MO) at noon Saturday, May 2, 2015 • Presentation at Polar Star Rose Hill Lodge No. 79(Creve Couer, MO) at 1:00 pm Monday, May 4, 2015 • Golf Tournament in Columbia, MO with 10:30 am shotgun start

Thursday, May 7, 2015 • Presentation at Pauldingville Lodge No. 11 (Wright City, MO) at 7:00 pm Friday, May 8, 2015 • Office closed for Truman’s Birthday Saturday, May 16, 2015 • Board of Directors Meeting in Columbia, MO