SUMMER ISSUE 2015
YOUR GUIDE TO RESOURCES
Missouri Missouri Outreach Outreach publication Masonic HomeofofMissouri Missouri AA publication ofof thethe Masonic Home
A publication of the Masonic Home of Missouri
Partnering to Honor
How a Lodge sent a Veteran on a trip of a lifetime Page 6
You’ve been challenged Are you up to it? Page 8
Our Masonic Family Stories from those we help Page 16
Faces 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
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. This is a educational luncheon. We regret that we are unable to accommodate spouses or more than one (1) representative from a Lodge due to limited space & training material needs.
Executive Director Barbara Ramsey
Director of Finance Jodi Blake
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
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 tax-deductible 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.
Contents on the cover
06
Partnering to Honor How a Veteran took the trip of a lifetime.
features HONORING YOUR SERVICE
Spotlight on Services Page 5
7
“Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places” Page 10
What’s in the Numbers?
What’s in the Numbers? Page 19
13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Page 24
Planned Giving Page 20
Financial Counseling Outreach Program Page 30
08 14 16 21 22 28 31
You’ve been challenged....
Supporting through the Truman Club
Creating-A-Partnership through Art Thinking outside the box & inviting others in.
Our Masonic Family The stories of those we help through the Outreach Programs
Family, Food & Fun
Raising funds through BBQ
Family, Food & Fun
Raising funds through BBQ
Serving up Tea, Sweets & Information Getting information to the ladies of the Lodge
The Vincil Society A recognition program for Lodges, Chapters and others.
Executive Director Notes
This Missouri Outreach magazine features two clients receiving financial assistance through the Long-Term Financial Assistance Program. Mrs. Helen Kehl’s story is featured, and she is particularly near and dear to my heart. I had only worked for the Home for roughly a year, when I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Kehl and her daughter. It was 2002, and I went to take her Outreach Application for financial assistance. They are a wonderful, gracious family. Mrs. Kehl is a testament to the commitment the Masonic Home makes to Masonic widows in need. Mrs. Hunter is another Long-Term Financial Assistance client featured in this magazine. Her story, like so many Outreach clients, is one of unexpected change, with the Masonic Home stepping in to help provide the assistance that affords her the ability to live as independently as possible while also receiving the care she needs.
expanded in the 13 years she has received assistance. When Mrs. Kehl began in the Outreach Program, it was simply one financial assistance program and social services. Since that time, the Board of assistance program for our elderly masons, their wives, widows and OES members, but also younger members in need which caused the creation of the Short-Term Financial Assistance Program. The Home began helping children again through the Children’s Outreach Program and the Creating-A-Partnership Program. Mrs. Kehl is also one of our honored widows in the Widows Program. The Masonic Family Cares Program, Financial Counseling Program, and the Armed Forces Program have all started since Mrs. Kehl joined the Masonic Home’s Outreach Program. There are many ways through the various Outreach Programs that the Masonic Home touches people’s lives, but the Masonic Home has never lost its original mission to help Masonic widows in need – it started in 1889 and continues today. We are
Who does the Masonic Home help? Please read the stories provided by the families in this magazine. These wonderful families are grateful for the support you have provided them, because without the Masonic Fraternity’s support along with the generous donors of the Masonic Home, these widows would not be receiving the care and support appropriate for their needs. I would like to personally thank the families featured in this magazine for being willing to share their stories of how the Masonic Home is making a difference in their lives.
where you are.
Mrs. Kehl’s story is also a reminder to me of just how much the Outreach Programs have grown and Directors recognized that the Home needs a financial
Barbara Ramsey Executive Director - Masonic Home of Missouri
Sincerely,
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 the Armed Forces Program This past January, the Masonic Home of Missouri introduced the ninth Outreach Program: The Armed Forces Program. The Armed Forces Program has two components. The first is similar to our Widows Program; the Masonic Home would like to recognize and thank our Masonic Veterans. The second component is similar to the Creating-A-Partnership Program (CAP) in that the Home would like to partner with Lodges and Chapters to honor those who have served and those currently serving our Country.
Veterans Program The Masonic Home is asking for help in identifying our Masonic Veterans. Please contact the Masonic Home at (800) 4349804 to add the veterans in your Lodge or Chapter to our list. We will need their name, address, date of birth, Branch of Service and Service Dates.
Washington D.C. to visit their service memorial. The Masonic Home partners with Lodges and Chapters throughout Missouri to help fund some of these Honor Flights for our well-deserved veterans. Care Packages Lodges and Chapters can work within their Lodge or Chapter to make and send care packages to active duty members, serving overseas or in the United States. There are some organizations that put together care packages and accept monetary donations, such as church, VFW or American Legions. If your Lodge or Chapter would like to donate toward a care package that will be made by another entity, Lodge or Chapter funds may be matched. Matching funds must go toward the purchase of specific items. The Masonic Home will not match funds for general operating expenses.
HONORING YOUR SERVICE
Once a Masonic Veteran is identified, the Masonic Home will send him or her a veterans lapel pin as a small token of our appreciation for his or her service to our Country. Throughout the year, the Masonic Home will send special mailings to those veterans to honor and thank them for their service.
Partnering to Honor (PTH) The Partnering to Honor Program (PTH) is a matching funds program between the Masonic Home and local Lodges and Chapters. It provides an opportunity to join together to help fund Honor Flights and care packages to those individuals currently serving. The Masonic Home may match up to $10,000.00 per Lodge or Chapter each fiscal year, July 1st to June 30th. Honor Flights Honor Flights (www.honorflight.org) started in 2004. This program honors veterans by helping them travel to
The Lodge or Chapter must complete and submit their application along with their matching funds to the Masonic Home. The application can be accessed on the Masonic Home of Missouri’s website at www.mohome. org or mailed upon request. All funds submitted for matching must be raised by the Lodge or Chapter. After the application is approved, the Home will return to the Lodge or Chapter a check with the matching funds. Approved funds will be sent to the Lodge/Chapter payable to the designated store or 501(c)(3) organization. The Masonic Home will not reimburse Masonic Lodges, Chapters or individual members of a Lodge or Chapter. Once items are purchased and/or funds donated, the Lodge or Chapter will be responsible for providing a copy of the receipt(s) and/or a letter from the organization showing how funds were spent. The Lodge/Chapter will not be able to make additional requests until all receipts are received. The Masonic Home is not affiliated with the Honor Flight Program, nor is the Masonic Home responsible for any aspect of the Honor Flight Program. The Masonic Home works only with Lodges and Chapters to help fund this program. If you are a veteran interested in the Honor Flight, you must contact the Honor Flight Program directly.
Summer Issue 2015
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Welcome Home!
Partnering to Honor with Moberly Lodge No. 344 Fred Stuecken The excitement was tangible in the air when staff walked into the Columbia Marriott Hotel on May 3, 2015. Volunteers were scurrying around, placing American flags on tables, greeting each other and hugging people who walked through the doorway. Staff looked around uncertainly, trying to find the person they were there to see. A volunteer approached, asking if we needed help and would we like anything to drink. Another smiling face whirled by, then another volunteer approached and asked if ‘we were there for Fred’? We were there for Fred and soon we were shaking hands and sitting down with Fred to get his story. Fred is Fred Stuecken, a member of Moberly Lodge No. 344 and the first participant in the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Partnering to Honor (PTH) Outreach Program. Fred was the obvious choice for the members of Moberly Lodge when they were discussing participation in the program because Fred had served as their Lodge Secretary for over 32 years and is a World War II Veteran. Fred entered the military in December 1945 in the Army Air Corp, an early predecessor to the current U.S. Air Force. He served in the air operations office in Reykjavik, Iceland by taking care of flight plans and clearances for military and commercial flights. “I really liked where I was stationed.” Fred states, “It was really pretty and the work was good.” In January 1947, Fred discharged from the military while in Westover, Massachusetts and soon settled in Moberly to begin a 27 ½ year career with the
Wabash Railroad as a train dispatcher. “Moberly just became home for me,” Fred adds. When members of the Lodge heard about the Partnering to Honor program and how the program might match up to $10,000.00 per fiscal year per Lodge or Chapter, the members invited one of their own, Richard Skaggs, an Honor Flight Volunteer, to give a presentation about the Honor Flight. After discussing finances and whom to send, the members chose Fred. Fred laughed softly and said, “I wasn’t expecting it at all. I knew the Lodge was raising some funds to send someone but I didn’t even think I was qualified to go, but I guess I was.” Richard volunteered to drive Fred to Columbia where they checked in at the Marriott around midnight for Fred’s Honor Flight. They were treated to an ‘early breakfast’ at 1:00 a.m. and then boarded a charter bus to St. Louis Lambert Airport at 2:00 a.m. From St. Louis, the Honor Flight flew to Baltimore where fire trucks lined the runway and shot water cannons over the plane to honor those onboard. Deplaning took a bit but when the Veterans entered the Baltimore airport, throngs of people cheered and greeted them as they were put onto other buses. A drive past the Nation’s Capital and even by the Washington Nationals ballpark happened before the buses came to stop at the World War II Memorial for a tour and group photo. “It was beautiful and one of the highlights of my trip.” Fred said. “There were 4 or 5 buses of students from a private school who rode 4 hours to see
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Missouri Outreach
us and give us personalized posters. I made sure to keep mine. It meant so much to me.” The group re-boarded the buses and headed to the Lincoln Memorial where the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials are located. After touring those memorials, the buses headed to Arlington National Cemetery where the Veterans got to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a quick stop at Omar Bradley’s tomb, a native of the Moberly area. “This was so well organized.” Fred recounts, “I couldn’t believe how much we were getting to see and do…all in one day!” Another stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial, then to the Air Force Memorial where the group enjoyed lunch with several Pentagon officials, before heading to Reagan Field for the trip back to St. Louis. By the time, the groups had landed, re-loaded the charter buses and were headed back to Columbia; many a drooping eye was found. At Kingdom City, the group was awakened for ‘mail call’ and handed letters from family members, friends and school children throughout Missouri. The Honor Flight Riders, a motorcycle group, and the Missouri Highway Patrol soon took the lead to escort the buses into Columbia where each Veteran was introduced by name and military affiliation over a loud speaker to a crowd of cheering fans as they disembarked. “It just was unreal, the kindness and enthusiasm that we were greeted with when we got off the buses.” Fred said softly, “Just unreal.” The car trip back to Moberly had to have been interesting that night, with two tired men whose brains where filled with images, reflections, and laughter. “It was really a no brainer for us to participate in the Partnering to Honor Program and match our funds and to choose Fred as our recipient for the flight.” Richard Skaggs states, “We are ready to do this again after we make a few repairs to our building and hold some fundraisers. It was just an incredible experience for him.” That leads us back to when staff first met Fred. The Central Missouri Honor Flight believes in doing the celebration as an outright party. Not only do the Veterans have a pre-flight day to go over instructions for their flight day, do a health assessment and meet their guardians, who are assigned to each Veteran to assist with any needs they may have. Then the Veterans have their day-of-theflight festivities, the night-of-the-flight celebrations and then they are allowed to rest before coming back for a Welcome Home Party where they are celebrated once
(left to right) Steve Paulsell, Co-chair of the Central Missouri Honor Flight Chapter, Fred Stuecken and Ed Skaggs, member of Moberly Lodge No. 344. (photo credit: Masonic Home of Missouri)
again with a meal, receive photos taken on their trip and get to meet those who made it all possible. The Lodge received an appreciation gift from the Honor Flight Chapter for their donation of $400.00 that allowed Fred, an 88-year old member of Moberly Lodge who got to go see the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. and who is still smiling because of a partnership between a Lodge and the Masonic Home of Missouri. Thank you for your service, Fred.
The Honor Flight organization began in 2004 and has chapters located throughout the United States. The Central Missouri Chapter of the Honor Flight is based in Columbia, Missouri and 100% of all monies donated are directly used for the Veterans and the flights themselves. All Guardians pay for their own way and this chapter has no employees. If your Lodge or Chapter is interested in finding out more information on the Honor Flight, please visit their website at www.honorflight.org. The Central Missouri Chapter’s website is centralmissourihonorflight. com. The Masonic Home of Missouri is not affiliated with the Honor Flight organization and is not responsible for booking flights on the Honor Flight. If your Lodge or Chapter is interested in the Partnering to Honor Outreach Program, please visit our website at www.mohome.org/ArmedForces to download an application. Please see more about our Armed Forces Outreach Program on page 5 of this publication.
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You’ve been challenged....Are you up to it? It all started with a photograph. Four members of Temperance Lodge No. 438 were dressed in tuxedos and enjoying the Truman Club dinner. The men were asked to pose for a photograph and were claiming bragging rights for having the most Truman Club members in attendance from a single Lodge. Laughter came from the corner as more bragging continued and then it became louder when a wife of one of the men mentioned that between all of them, there were four in attendance that belonged to Barry Daylight Lodge No. 17, including three of the original four from Temperance Lodge. As the Barry Daylight Lodge members posed for their photo, several began scanning the room to find the tie-breaking member that would solidify the lodge’s claim to victory of who had the most members at the donor recognition dinner. Mischievous grins and more laughter filtered from the corner, as unsuspecting guests were quickly asked to join the different lodges, so someone could claim bragging rights. The laughter died down and soon, talk centered on how exciting it was to have two lodges represented by four members apiece. Then the challenge was laid out and extended to all Lodges and their membership…. Growing up, Joseph “Joe” S. Russell understood the importance of donations. His father was a missionary and relied on donations to keep his ministerial work page 8
thriving. “I remember how not only my father but others who he ministered to depended on those donations in bad times.” Joe recalls, “Helping and supporting others was deeply instilled in my belief system and being a Mason allows me to give back to people in need.” Joe continues to give back to others through his Masonic work and has held several positions within his Lodge. Joe received the Masonic Home Representative of the Year award in 2013 and is currently the DDGM for Tall Cedars. “I didn’t have a family history in Masonry but it fits with my beliefs of giving back to people in need and being able to say “thank you” to our past Masons who gave to others. I support the Home because I feel that it is the best way for my donation to be used to help those that we, as Masons, are asked to help: our brothers, their widows, and all children.” Joe became a member of the Truman Club in 2011 with his initial donation of $100.00. “Joining the Truman Club was an easy decision. Many people say they cannot afford $100.00 to join but my response to that is to stop and think about how much you spend on that cup of specialty coffee in the morning. Simply donating that money to the Home will accumulate towards your donation.” Joe continues, “Besides think of how that donation can affect someone else’s life. A child could be helped, a widow might receive financial
Missouri Outreach
assistance to pay for her assisted living facility bill, and a Mason could be on hard times and just need a bit of a helping hand.” The Truman Club recognizes those individuals and couples who support the Masonic Home and its programs through on-going annual giving. With the support of the Truman Club members, the Masonic Home is able to transform the Masonic tenets into reality for Masonic brothers and sisters in need throughout the state. “For me, the Masonic tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth fits perfectly with my involvement in the Truman Club and the Masonic Home of Missouri,” states Anthony “Tony” J. Kerns. “We endeavor to become better men and giving back to the Fraternity is the best example of doing that. I wanted to make a difference, not only for those who need help now but in the future. My donation will make a difference and so will yours.” Tony became a member of the Truman Club in 2013 and is actively involved in Temperance Lodge No. 438, King Hill Lodge No. 376 and Barry Daylight Lodge No. 17. Tony was also the Masonic Home Representative of the Year for 2014. When asked to describe his experience at the Truman Club, Tony said, “It’s a time for like-minded people who want to help others, share camaraderie and meet others associated with the Home. I have met many of the staff of the Masonic Home and even Board members and it gives you the ability to fully understand the dedication and charity aspect of the Home. You hear about upcoming plans for the year and can take satisfaction in knowing that you are helping others – widows, children and Masons.” Membership in The Truman Club requires an annual commitment of at least $100.00 in tax-deductible contributions to the Masonic Home of Missouri. Membership is renewable each year on January 1st. All annual members receive the Truman Club Lapel pin and an invitation to the annual black-tie Truman Club Dinner that is held in late September during Annual Communication. When an annual member’s cumulative giving reaches $1,000.00, they become a member of the Truman Giving Societies. At the first level, the Lewis and Clark Society, members are presented with the distinctive Harry S Truman Bust at the annual Truman Club Dinner. At each new society level, members are recognized at the annual dinner and beginning in 2015, will become a permanent part
of the Truman Club Donor Roll located at the Masonic Complex. The Truman Giving Societies are named after some of Missouri’s most illustrious Masons and Eastern Star Members. The Giving Society levels are shown below.
Truman Society Levels: Amount $1,000 - $2,499 $2,500 - $4,999 $5,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $24,999
Level Lewis and Clark Society Laura Ingalls Wilder Society Thomas Hart Benton Society Samuel Clemens Society
$25,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $249,999 $250,000 and above
Charles A. Lindbergh Society Omar Bradley Society JC Penney Society Harry S Truman Society
“This is a simple way to support those in need within our Fraternity. This is so much more than the money associated with it,” says Tony, “This is about our obligation as a Mason.” Joe agrees and said, “Good men and women doing great philanthropy and supporting one of our own charities.” Both Joe and Tony are extending a challenge to all Lodges and their members. “Join the Truman Club and attend the dinner to show your support,” says Tony. To add to the challenge, Temperance Lodge No. 438 is sponsoring a traveling Truman Club trophy. This trophy will be giving to the Lodge with the most Truman Club members attending the annual banquet. If there is a tie, the tie will be broken with a rousing game of Rock, Paper, and Scissors. ruman Club Dinner
Masonic Home of Missouri Annual Truman Club Dinner Saturday, September 26, 2015 Columbia, MO Contact Julie Kirchhoff at (800) 434-9804 or jkirchhoff@mohome.org for more information
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“Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places” Article #2 in the series “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 will be featuring some very common scams in upcoming issues of the Missouri Outreach. This is the second of several articles involving scams, frauds and other privacy issues that could affect your finances and livelihood. There are many scams that are operating in the internet these days. Lottery or Sweepstakes scams, where the victim is told they have won a large prize but they have to remit a fee in order to collect their cash prize. Of course there is no prize; it is simply a way to get victims to send money. There are job scams and these vary. Some of them claim to be secret shoppers and they send checks to their victims with the instructions to go to a certain bank and cash it. The victim is instructed to evaluate the bank throughout the transaction. They are instructed to afterwards send the money to page 10
someone via Western Union or Money Gram. The checks are fake and if the victims successfully cashes it, when it comes back as being bad the person that cashed it is responsible for the money. Since cashing a fraudulent check is a felony, the victim can also face criminal prosecution. In another job scam, they will advertise a business and say they need someone to process payments for the business. That person is instructed to receive and cash checks and sometimes cash through Western Union or Money Gram, take out a percentage for their pay and forward the balance to a designated person via Money Gram or Western Union. The checks are all fake and the hope is that they will be able to cash some and forward the money before they are stopped. In the case of them receiving cash, they are basically being used as a mule to launder money.
in a fortune, then the requests for fees begin. Of course there is no fortune, it is all a ploy in order to get the victim to send lots of money. Although these are probably the most well-known of the scams, I think you would be surprised at the number of people who do become victims. The reason they are called 419s is that is the penal code for scams in Nigeria. These are a few examples of the most common scams, but probably the most insidious of the current scams are Romance Scams. These scams are very different from Catfish scams. Catfishing is when someone creates a fake profile and usually an elaborate life that only exists online. These are done for the perpetrators perverse pleasure or to fill some psychological need in their life. Romance Scams on the other hand are committed for one reason, to defraud the victim of as much money and merchandise as possible. At the end of a Romance Scam, victims end up not only financially devastated but also emotionally devastated.
There are also the Inheritance or Gold scams that are commonly referred to as 419 scams. These are the ones where someone receives There are only two things that an unsolicited email asking the are needed to become the victim intended victim to partner with of a Romance Scam, the ability them to get money out of a foreign to communicate with someone country. Once the victim is online and the willingness to be hooked on the promise of sharing in a relationship. Victims are both Missouri Outreach
sexes, all ages, and from every socio economic group. Scammers can be found on dating sites, social networking sites, gaming sites, and support groups. Basically any place that two people can meet and communicate. Scammers create fake profiles by stealing photos off the internet. When these scams first started they stole most of their pictures off of modeling sites. As the warnings began that if it looked like a model it was probably a scam, Scammers started to use photos of regular people and soldiers. The use of soldier’s photos has become so common that the US Army CID has issued several warnings over the last couple of years. They have also established a website to warn people about these scams. http:// www.cid.army.mil/romancescam. html Scammers send hundreds, if not thousands of messages out every day in the hope to get a victim to respond to them. Once they get a response they begin grooming the victim. The key to the scam being successful is the relationship. The scammer has to create a strong relationship and get the victim vested in the relationship so that they are receptive to any requests the scammer has. This grooming begins almost immediately. The scammer starts by finding out through a series of questions the intended victims likes and dislikes, what they are looking for in a relationship and their hopes for the future. The scammer will then become the dream person that the victim has always been looking for.
as love bombing, isolation and sleep deprivation to get the victim to believe that the fantasy they have created for the victim is real. Very early in the relationship the scammer will usually proclaim love for the victim. If the victim is receptive to this, they will then start referring to the victim as wife or husband. Although it may be hard for some people to believe, the victim feels they are in a real relationship. Once the scammer realizes the victim is hooked, then the requests for money begin. There are many scenarios where scammers request money. In the case of someone setting up a soldier’s profile, the request is often to pay fees for them to travel to see the victim, or fees to get out of the service, or sometimes money to buy equipment so they can communicate while they are supposedly deployed. Other requests are to pay hotel bills because of a robbery or theft of some sort. They will often say they are a business person whose account is frozen and they need money temporarily to pay their employees. Requests for money always come with the promise of the victim being paid back once the scammer arrives home. Once the victim willingly sends money there are then more and more requests. Scammers create a variety of scenarios that include accidents, robberies, false arrests, kidnappings to name a few which all need money to solve the new problem and get past the hurdle so they can come home and live happily ever after. The problem of course is that the scammer is West African and the scenarios are simply created to get the victim to send money.
There are people that feel if they do not have money that they cannot be scammed. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If a scammer finds out that their intended victim has no money to send they will approach the scam in a different way. They may use the victim as a mule to receive money from other victims and then forward it to them. They might ask the victim to open a bank account, saying they cannot do it since they are out of the country. The scammer then transfers money into the account and the victim is instructed to withdraw the money and send it to the scammer through Western Union or Money Gram. The money is actually stolen from accounts and if that is not detected before the person withdraws the money, as the holder of the account they are responsible. They are liable to pay back all of the money and can also face felony charges for money laundering and theft. Scammers will also do the same thing with a victim’s credit card, transferring money to the account and telling the victim to withdraw the money and send it to them. They might also ask them to cash checks for them. The checks are all fake and once that is discovered the victim is liable for that money. There have been many people who have gone to the bank to cash the checks only to end up arrested because the bank realized the check was fraudulent.
Another thing they use victims for is to reship merchandise. They will tell the victim that if they purchase something from a store and have it shipped where they are at, that the tariffs are very high. So they ask if they can have it sent to the As the relationship progresses the victims home and then have a scammer uses techniques such shipping company pick it up and Summer Issue 2015 page 11
ship it to them. Of course the victim sees nothing wrong on this and feels they are just helping out the person they love. The truth is that merchants in the USA will not ship to West Africa because of the scams. The merchandise that the victim is reshipping is bought with stolen credit cards. When that is discovered and the person where the package was shipped becomes responsible for the merchandise financially and again can face charges for theft. Scammers are ruthless and do not care who gets hurt as long as they get as much money and merchandise out of a person as they possibly can. Lately we are getting lots of reports from people who during the relationship with the scammer were convinced that a way to be closer until they were able to be together, was to get on webcam and disrobe. Some were even convinced to perform sexual acts. The victim of course believes that they are doing something intimate for the person they love. The scammer however records the performance. When the scam finally comes to an end and the victim realizes it was all a scam and stops it, the scammer turns to blackmail. At that point they know all about the victim, their address, where they work, all of their family and friends. The victim is threatened that if they do not pay up, the video will then be sent to all of these places.
simply to get more money from the victim. Our advice is to stop all communication with the scammer and not to respond in any way. The scammer is not going to release the video in retaliation because once they release it they have nothing to bargain with and no hope of getting any money. Sadly there are some people that will pay the scammers out of fear, but once they are paid the requests keep coming. If I were to impart some wisdom, well there is a lot that I can say about that. First and foremost, follow your gut feelings. If something does not seem right it probably isn’t. Many victims will look back and say that they felt something was wrong, but the fantasy the scammer created for them was so wonderful that they ignored the red flags. If someone says they are out of the country, for whatever reason, that is a big red flag. People working overseas are rarely if ever, on the internet looking for love at home. The same goes for soldiers, if they are supposedly deployed they do not have the time, much less the ability to get online and look for love.
The person in the photos or videos is not the person that you are talking to. Each scam actually has two victims, the obvious one and then the person whose picture is being used to scam the victim. We used to tell people to ask the scammer to get on webcam and that they would not do it because they are not the person in the picture. But again the scammers have changed things because they will get a victim to get on webcam just to talk. They will make some excuse as to why they cannot turn on their webcam. They will record the person. Then they will take the photos that victim sent them and the video and they will create a new profile to scam the next person. At some point they will get the new victim to get on webcam and they will play back the video they captured. They will make some excuse as to why there is no sound, but when the victim sees the person on webcam is the same as the person in the photo they are duped into believing that it is real.
With scammers everything is smoke and mirrors and you cannot trust anything. Phone numbers are not an indication as to where they are at, or where they are from. They will use VOIPs where Scammers will often use a person’s you can request a phone number religious beliefs against them and from anywhere that you want. Or they love it when they find someone a relay service like Google Voice, who has a very strong faith. They where again you can select a phone will often start out by convincing number where you want it, and the victim that God answered their then the call is forwarded to their prayers and brought them together. regular number. They will also The idea of everyone seeing and If the victim balks at any point the get victims to send them phones knowing what they have done scammer will shame them and tell during the relationship as a cheaper terrifies victims. However you have them that their faith is not strong way for them to talk together. Since to remember that this is all about because they are questioning the victim is purchasing the phone, the money. This is not like revenge God’s will. Scammers will use the number will reflect where the porn where someone posts pictures these techniques to keep a person victim is located. The scammer or video to get back at someone. compliant and in the scam. will then take that phone and create The objective of the scammer is a profile that reflects that area. page 12 Missouri Outreach
Background checks are useless when it comes to these scams. Knowing that many people will at the very least do a search on the internet, scammers will steal information from real people so that the information will come up in a search. One of my moderators paid $150 to do a background check. She was thrilled when all of the information matched what she had been given. It was all real information, the problem was it did not belong to the person she was talking to. When we have someone who does not want to believe they are being scammed because the information checks out, we tell them to find the landline for where they live and call the house. Most people never think of doing that because the person they are talking to says they are working out of the country and they have a cell phone. What people discover when they do call the landline is that they are often talking to the real person, who is sometimes a past victim themselves.
people find the photo the scammer is using as being reported they will often confront the scammer. The normal response is that the scammer is really the person in the picture and that someone stole his or her picture and are scamming people with it. Scammers always have an excuse to cover any questions the victims come up with. Never ever send someone a copy of your passport or driver’s license. Never give out your social security number. Do not let anyone know your banking information. You would think that these would be no brainers, but you would be surprised as to how many people do send this information to the scammers. In their defense they do believe that they are in a real relationship and that for what ever reason the scammer creates, that they are sending it someone they love and plan on spending the rest of the life with.
going to be receptive enough to do it. The best thing to do when you find you have been scammed is to block the scammer in your email, delete him from your address book, remove him from your instant messenger and put him on the ignore list in the instant messenger and read, read, read, our website to learn all you can learn. Our only weapon in this crime is education. The more people we can educate, the fewer victims these criminals have to choose from. It is in people’s nature to feel embarrassed when they have been taken advantage of. Scammers are shrewed and calculated. You were victimized in an organized, methodical manner. Help others who may be in the same situation by reporting the scam. Print off any text or emails that you have exchanged with the scammer and report the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
The number one red flag though is a Helpful Links for Romance request for money or merchandise. Scams: Scammers create a back story that Of course never turn on your explains they have no family, no webcam for someone that you have one that they can turn to. The http://romancescams.org not met face to face in person. I story of being alone is supposed to http://www.ic3.gov often joke about it and say my explain why they are so dependent advice is; keep your webcam off on their victim to send them money http://w w w.justice.gov/usaoand your clothes on. But in all or merchandise. Any requests for edtn/criminal-division/financialseriousness using a webcam with money is sure indication that it is crimes-task-force someone you do not know can turn a scam and it does not matter how out very badly. long the person is in the relationship. We have heard of people being Photos can be checked using involved with a scammer for over This article is written by Google Images or www.tineye. 2 years before they got a serious Barb Sluppick, Owner/Peer com If a picture has been reported request for assistance. Scammers Counselor for Romancescams. as being used in a scam, doing an can take that long to groom a org, a resource and support image search will often bring up victim because they are usually website for those who have been those reports. Both of those search working 12 or more victims at the victimized by romance scams. engines should be used though same time. When the requests for Visit http://romancescams.org since they may index different sites money begin depends on when for guidance and helpful tips. and get different results. When the scammer believes the victim is Summer Issue 2015 page 13
Creating A Partnership Through Art Outside the box thinking is sometimes uncomfortable, because you do not know if it will exceed or fail expectations. Now, imagine two ladies envisioning an out-of-box concept that would take a lot of input from local schools, a team of volunteers and a partnership between a local Masonic Lodge and a Masonic charity that would support a local non-profit. Imagine pulling everything together into one successful, colorful event that put smiles on everyone’s faces from the participants, attendees, and raised $1,888.50 for the local non-profit. That’s what happened on Saturday, March 14 in Boonville, Missouri when Cooper Masonic Lodge No. 36 held the Mid-Missouri Youth Art Exhibit to offer local students a venue to display their artwork.
“The schools showed a tremendous interest in the exhibit.” said Charlotte Newell of New Franklin, who along with Karen Reagan of Boonville coordinated the fundraiser. “Karen and I have worked together in the past to raise funds and we were delighted that the Masons would assist us in this project. Masons are known for their wonderful charitable work on behalf of many special interest groups, especially children and young people,” she added. The Art Show was divided into age groups for Kindergarten to Second Grade; Third to Fifth Grades; Sixth to Eighth Grades and Ninth to Twelfth Grades, entries were encouraged for all students at local public and private area schools including Boonville, New Franklin, Fayette, Prairie Home and Lone Elm. Categories included watercolor, crayon, canvas, photography, sculpture, crafts such as beading and woodworking. A panel of judges, Bob Basna
“When we first started talking about doing an Art Exhibit, there were a lot of questions on how successful it would be.” Marty Stover, a member of Cooper Lodge says, “Charlotte Newell and Karen Reagan had this vision for the art show and it had not been done before, so the members of the Lodge decided to give it a try and see how it would go. I’m still a little shocked at the success that we had but really proud.” Pulling together an art exhibit that would eventually showcase over 300 pieces of artwork took some planning and a steering committee was formed. Another member of the Lodge, Jack Clough was approached about who he felt could handle some of the marketing and public relations aspects of the event. Jack deferred to his wife, Eva who had retired from a career in Washington D.C., doing Artwork displays exactly what the Lodge was looking for. Eva teamed during the art up with Charlotte and Karen and soon mailings to show. Students from eight private the schools, businesses and local media outlets were and public schools flying out the door. “I loved the idea and it was such a were involved in great concept.” Eva said, “Reaching out to the schools the Mid-Missouri and people in the communities was quite a bit of Youth Art Exhibit. work but everyone was so helpful and supportive. It takes enthusiasm to do things that raise money and enthusiasm was never lacking for this project. I’m just so delighted for the Lodge.” page 14 Missouri Outreach
from KWRT Radio Station, Edward Lang from the Boonville Daily News, and David Wheelock DDGL 22nd Masonic District, determined First, Second, and Third Place Honors for artists representing each school, as well as a Judges’ Choice award. In addition, attendees’ dollar-and-cents votes determined a special People’s Choice Award. “It is rare that school-age children have the opportunity to display their artwork in a venue such as we were able to provide,” said Roy Cary, past Worshipful Master of the Cooper Lodge. “With our Lodge being right across from the middle school in
talk to the staff and learn about this program. It just makes such a difference in all the good that we try to do in our community and knowing we would be able to double our contribution to the Riley Equine Center was great.” The Riley Equine Center is a non-profit organization, based in Boonville, Missouri that is dedicated to providing an educational and therapeutic experience for at-risk and special needs children through horsemanship. “I cannot express my appreciation enough for the ladies and men who made the fundraiser possible. The organizers did a lot of hard work, making all the arrangements and I appreciate the schools for being so enthusiastic about participating and the families who took the time to come and support their very talented children.” Bonnie Riley, owner of Riley Equine Center says. “We used the funds raised to purchase equipment such as helmets for the students who ride at our facility.”
Photo (left to right): Roy Cary, member of Cooper Lodge No. 36, Charlotte Newell, co-organizer, Marty Stover, member of Cooper Lodge No. 36 and Karen Reagan, co-organizer.
Boonville and the support we already have in the community through our Books for Bikes project, this was just a perfect way for us to invite the community into our Lodge. We offered tours of the building, answered questions about Masonry and involved families in a great event that showcased so many of their talented children. We even received four petitions from community members who wanted to become Masons. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and their families was just icing on the cake.” Knowing that the Masonic Home of Missouri offered a matching funds program called Creating-APartnership (CAP), Cary contacted staff at the Home to inquire if the project and the chosen benefactor of the funds raised, Riley Equine Center, would qualify. “It really helped knowing that we had this great chance to make our fundraiser really successful.” Cary laughed and said, “Our Lodge has partnered with the Masonic Home through the CAP program several times before and I encourage all Lodges to
Photo of check presentation to Bonnie Riley, Owner of Riley Equine Center from Cooper Lodge No. 36, the Masonic Home of Missouri and the organizers of the event.
The Creating-A-Partnership (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. 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.
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Our Masonic Family
M
rs. Helen Kehl (pronounced Kale) and her husband, George were married for almost 46 years. The Kehl’s operated an office supply store in Mexico, Missouri for years, while raising five children. George was a member for more than 47 years at Hebron Lodge No. 354 and was a second generation Mason. When George passed in 1995, Helen continued to live in her own home but a severe health event soon restricted her ability to be by herself and her family had to find a solution that would allow Helen to continue to be independent but also to receive the care that she needed.
assistedlivingfacilities.org/resources/assisted-livingcosts) provides some insight into the costs of assisted living, but also how facilities charge residents. The National Average for assisted living facilities is $3,600.00 per month, with the Missouri median monthly average at $2,525.00. The monthly cost is based on a onebedroom unit in an assisted living facility. According to a recent Aflac Work Forces report, the percentage of adult children providing personal care and/or financial assistance to a parent has more than tripled over the past 15 years.
Making the decision to move a parent into an assisted living facility can be difficult for the whole family. Change can be hard for anyone, but especially for older adults who are accustomed to being independent and maintaining their own homes. The thought of leaving a beloved home that holds many years of memories can bring sadness and grief. Children are affected by the decision also. Many adult children continue to see their parents; the way they were before a life-altering situation happens that necessitates the move to an assisted living facility. “Mom stayed by herself for a while but it just worried me. We looked at a couple of assisted living places and when we found this one, I just knew it was the right place for her.” Georgia Kehl Tiller, George and Helen Mrs. Helen Kehl, a Long-Term Financial Assistance client. (Photo credit: Kehl’s daughter, says. “Figuring out how to pay for it Masonic Home of Missouri) was something that we were struggling with.” The cost of assisted living care depends on the level of “During the intake process at the assisted care facility, one of the questions that we were asked was if Mom had service a resident requires. The 2010 CDC National any Masonic connection. When we told them about Survey of Residential Care Facilities (http://www. page 16 Missouri Outreach
Dad’s membership with the Mexico Lodge, the social worker advised us to get ahold of the Masonic Home of Missouri and see if Mom qualified for any assistance.” remembers Mrs. Tiller. “I remember calling and speaking to Barbara Ramsey about our need. Barb came to our house and took us step-by-step through the application process and even helped us with the Medicaid process. Then Mom’s application for assistance went before the Board of Directors for a decision. When we heard that she had been approved, we were just thrilled.” The Masonic Home of Missouri has offered the LongTerm Financial Assistance Program since 1991. As one of nine Outreach programs that the Home offers, the Long-Term Financial Assistance Program has been offered since 1991 to primarily elderly Missouri Masons, their wives, widows and female members of the Order of the Eastern Star. This assistance can help each month for someone living in a facility, such as an assisted living facility or independent living facility, or for someone living in their home or apartment. In the Masonic Home’s Fiscal Year 2014, the Home provided monthly financial assistance to 54 clients living in facilities throughout the state and 4 clients in facilities in other states. The monthly assistance to clients in facilities totaled $757,734.18. The Home also provided monthly assistance to enable 5 clients to remain in their homes, totaling $35,400.00. Without this monthly assistance, these clients would not have been able to remain in their home or facilities. They would not have been able to receive the level of care they needed, and may have been forced to prematurely move to an unnecessary level of care. In addition to providing monthly assistance, the Home can provide clients assistance through onetime payments. Clients can receive multiple one-time payment assistance and/or monthly assistance. For example, a client might receive assistance to remain in his/her home to pay for things such as utilities and medication each month. That same client could also receive assistance for a one-time payment to help pay an unexpected medical bill. The Masonic Home assisted 24 Long-Term assistance clients with one-time payments totaling $47,284.87. Many of these clients also received monthly financial assistance. “Mom’s been receiving financial assistance since 2002 through the Long-Term Financial Assistance Program and the whole thing has been so easy. Mom gets evaluated every six months and we provide documentation to staff. I used to be there during those meetings but staff has connected with Mom and she’s
comfortable meeting with them by herself, so I just remind her when they will be there and she enjoys the visit. I’ve met most of the staff and I feel like we can all talk about Mom’s care and finances as part of a team,” says Mrs. Tiller. “Words cannot begin to describe how much we owe the Masonic Home of Missouri. When I call in with a question, staff treats me with such respect and there is no hurry. They answer my questions and take the time to explain anything I don’t understand. I appreciate the relationship that the staff has with my Mom and with my siblings and me.” A sweet smile flitted across Mrs. Kehl’s face when staff asked her what she thought about the help the Home had provided to her. Her health event has left her with a slight speech problem but Mrs. Kehl makes no bones about what she thinks when she laughed and said “Good, good!” to the question. A smile remained on her face, as her granddaughter, Abbie Smith sat with her during the interview. Mrs. Kehl’s room is dotted with many photos of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildrenand she enjoys the activities that the facility offers. Having her family close to her has meant that she stay involved in their lives and is able to have a lot of visitors. “Knowing my Mom is well taken care of has given the family a peace of mind. I feel that we are part of a team with the Masonic Home and that my Mom is being well taken care of. She is comfortable, content and cared for.” Georgia continues, “I have no idea where Mom would be right now if the assistance that the Home provides for had not been available.”
A
ccording to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the word diligent is an adjective and is characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort, as in someone is a diligent worker. Diligent is also one of those words that you would associate with the Hunter family from Clinton, Missouri. Mr. Charles Hunter was a member of Clinton Lodge No. 548 for 21 years when he passed away in April, 2008. Dallas “D.C.” Hunter, Charles’s father, was also a sixty year member of the same lodge. Mrs. Hunter was born in Los Angeles, California before moving to Clinton, Missouri with her adoptive parents at the age of four years. The Hunters were married for almost 50 years and raised five sons (James, Rick, John, Steven and Jeff) in Clinton.
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Early in Charles and Virginia Hunter’s married life, they farmed before a tractor accident cut short Charles’s farming career. Mr. Hunter then went to work for the Missouri Public Service and a Terra Fertilizer Plant and as a family; the Hunters owned and operated a local restaurant, The Hunter House in Clinton, Missouri for many years. Mrs. Hunter states, “I have always believed that you can never get anywhere in life without working. My father was a wonderful hard-working man. He is where I got my work ethic from.” After the restaurant closed, Mrs. Hunter managed another local restaurant for fourteen years and then went on to work for a resort for several years after that.
Mrs. Virgina Hunter, a Long-Term Financial Assistance client. (Photo credit: Masonic Home of Missouri)
“I wasn’t ready to retire, so I went to work for WalMart in the lawn and garden department for six years.” Mrs. Hunter says. A bad fall in October 2013 required an extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation for Mrs. Hunter. Not being able to return to her private residence and having to resign from her job at WalMart was something that the family had to face. “Mom did not need a nursing home but she was not able to return to living on her own.” John Hunter, one of the Hunter’s sons recounted, “We have seen other families have to place their loved ones in nursing facilities when they did not need it due to not being able to afford assisted living. We are so thankful that she can live in a place that meets her needs but still allows her to be as independent as possible.”
she needed. Jeff Hunter had heard about the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Long-Term Financial Assistance Program from a colleague in Springfield, Missouri and contacted the Home to see if their mother would qualify for assistance. John Hunter reflects upon the assistance the Home has provided to Mrs. Hunter, “The help from the Home was a true miracle. We did not know what we were going to do as Mom’s situation changed so suddenly. Mom’s injury was a really hard time for her and for the family. The help from the Home was a lifesaver. It was a such a shock that after such a hard time, good things started to happen.” “The process for applying for assistance went very smoothly. I would say it was easy really. A little paperwork was involved but nothing overwhelming. What was overwhelming was the kindness and cooperation from the Home during this stage in all of our lives. It was like a weight was lifted off of our shoulders. I don’t know how we could ever say ‘thank you’ enough.” “I was treated like family by the Home,” Mrs. Hunter stated, “I miss living on my own and working but I’m thankful to live in such a nice place and I really do enjoy my studio apartment.” The Masonic Home of Missouri would like to express our appreciation to the Kehl and Hunter families for allowing us to tell their stories about how the Long-Term Financial Assistance Program has made a difference in their loved ones lives. The Masonic Home of Missouri provides eligible senior adults with financial assistance to remain in their homes, apartments, independent living facilities, and assisted living facilities. Some applicants qualify for monthly financial assistance, while others only need assistance with individual one-time payments such as, medical bills, hearing aids, or dental work. To qualify for financial assistance, all applicants must be a Missouri Master Mason, their wife/widow or a female member of the Order of the Eastern Star in good standing. The Masonic Home reviews Age and Length of Membership requirements on all applicants. In addition, applicants must complete a financial application to demonstrate a financial need.
As the family worked together to find the best place For more information about the Masonic Home of for their mother to live, they were also faced with the financial aspects of ensuring their mother could Missouri’s Outreach Programs, please visit our website at www.mohome.org or call (800) 434-9804. live independently but still have the type of care that page 18 Missouri Outreach
What’s in the Numbers?
0
is the amount of years needed to qualify for assistance through the Social Services Program, the Financial Counseling Program, and the Masonic Family Cares Program. All Masonicaffiliated persons may receive services through these Outreach Programs.
12,506
61
sponsors helped make our 13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament a success. Over $30,000 was raised to assist our Children’s Financial Assistance Outreach and our Creating-APartnership (CAP) Programs.
$0.00
We are where you are.
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Armed Forces Day cards were sent to Masonic Veterans in recognition of their service. If you would like to register for our Veterans Database, please call Chantana at (800) 434-9804. We send out Armed Forces Cards and Veterans Day Cards.
26th of September, 2015 is the Truman Club Dinner. This special donor recognition dinner club honors those who support the Home with ongoing annual giving. For more information about the Truman Club or the annual Truman Club Dinner, please visit our website at www. mohome.org or call Julie at (800) 434-9804.
unique visitors have viewed our website at www.mohome. org since April 2012 through December 31, 2014.
is the cost to see a caseworker. No one has to pay or even drive to Columbia to participate in our Outreach Programs. Our Caseworkers will travel to you. If you would like to speak to a caseworker, call (800) 434-9804 (toll-free) and they will advise you on our application process and Outreach Programs.
795
(800) 434-9804
is the Masonic Home of Missouri’s toll-free phone number. Contact us if you have questions about the Outreach Programs, to make a referral, schedule a presentation or if you want to support the Home.
Zero
is the cost to receive the Missouri Outreach magazine. This magazine is designed to provide resources and support to Missouri Master Masons, their wives, and honored widows. We publish the magazine three times a year with a fourth issue being our Annual Report. Our mailing lists are never shared or sold. If you wish to update your address or be removed from the mailing list, please contact Rhonda at rlightfoot@ mohome.org or call (800) 434-9804.
issues of the Rep Report were mailed to Masonic Home Representatives and/or Lodge Secretaries for May. The Rep Report is mailed four times a year (February, May, Augsut and November). The May and November issues include the Lodge’s widows list. Past issues can be read on our website at http://www.mohome.org/The-RepReport.html Summer Issue 2015 page 19
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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Bequest by Will Stocks and Securities Real Estate Life Insurance Retirement Assets Charitable Gift Annuities Charitable Lead Trusts 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 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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Staying Safe During the Summer With the advent of the summer months, the soaring summer temperatures will appear and if you are not prepared, the possibility of suffering from heat exhaustion or even heat stroke can happen. Air conditioning and portable air conditioners can get expensive, so what are things you can do to avoid the heat? Can you recognize the signs of heat exhaustion? And would you know what to do if someone started to show symptoms of it? Learn to recognize the signs of heat overexposure and the steps to take if you experience those symptoms or see them in someone else. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also has a list of protective and first aid measures for heat-induced illnesses.
11 Tips for Staying Cool This Summer 1. Be aware of the heat. Pay attention to it and modify your activities appropriately. 2. Pay attention to your hydration status, and be sure to drink plenty of fluids. 3. Try to stay in relatively cool areas, even when outside. Many public places such as libraries, shopping malls and movie theatres are air conditioned. 4. Avoid hot enclosed places, such as cars. Never leave children unattended in a car parked in the sun. 5. Use a fan, if available. 6. Stay on the lowest floor of your building. 7. Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. 8. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing. 9. Cover windows that receive a significant amount of sun with drapes or shades to help keep your house cool. 10. Weather stripping and proper insulation will keep cool air inside your home.
11. Cool beverages are good for cooling down the body, while alcoholic drinks can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.
8 Signs of Heat Over Exposure 1. Heavy sweating. But if heat stroke sets in, the body can no longer compensate and stops sweating. 2. Pale skin 3. Muscle cramps 4. Feeling tired and weak 5. Altered mental status (confusion or disorientation) 6. Headache 7. Becoming semi-conscious, or passing out. 8. Nausea or vomiting
6 First Steps to take After Recognizing HeatInduced Illness • Call 911. • Get the person out of the sun and into a cool area. An air-conditioned area is ideal, but moving someone into the shade will also help. • Apply water to help the person cool off. • Apply ice to the neck or armpits, where large blood vessels are close to the surface. • Remove any heavy clothing • Immerse the body in cool water, either at a swimming pool or in a bathtub. Keep watch on temperatures and drink plenty of water. Being viligiant about your health and the others around you will make for a safe, fun summer. Reprinted with permission from Fema.gov. The Masonic Home of Missouri is not a health related organization and urges people who feel that they have over been over exposured to heat or the sun to seek medical intervention or advice from their physician.
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Family, Food & Fun
The scent of charcoal wafted along the campground and laughter rang out from good-natured challenges being tossed between campsites. Small children rode their bicycles through the campground, waving to familiar faces of their BBQ families. Huge travel trailers emblazoned with logos or BBQ achievements, including one with the words, ‘World Champion’ on the side, are parked in various spots around the campground. Banners proclaiming witty names of the competitors; ‘Fifty Shades of Que’, ‘Whiskey, Women and Wibs’, dot the landscape. A large tent dominated an area of the campground and slowly the families made their way to it to be welcomed to the event and hear from the judges about how the competition would run during the next few days. “This event has really put our lodge and community on the “BBQ map.” RWB Anthony J. “Tony” Kerns, a member of Temperance Lodge No. 438 says. “We have competitors from all over the Midwest and some travel all over the United States, spreading their enjoyment everywhere they travel. We are known as a premier competition in the BBQ world.” The event is “The Best Dam BBQ Contest” that is held next to the dam at Smithville Lake in Smithville, Missouri. The idea of holding a BBQ contest came from WB Troy Whitton, Past Master of Temperance Lodge No. 438, who came up with the idea in late 2011. Choosing an event that is particularly popular in the Midwest and specifically in the Kansas City area which is known for its BBQ legacy involved a lot of commitment from the Lodge. “We became a member of the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and in turn they helped us organize our event and advertised it to their membership.”
Kerns says, “We also held Judging classes at our lodge. This is a class, taught by KCBS, that shows people how to become a certified BBQ judge and what to look for at competitions. It also allowed us to open up our lodge and invite in people from all over the Midwest.”
One of the competitors trailers at The Best Dam BBQ Contest in Smithville, Missouri. (photo credit: Masonic Home of Missouri)
The first competition was held in April, 2013. The event takes well over 600-700 hours to plan, organize and run. “Multiple people are doing multiple things at multiple times to make this event happen.” Kerns laughs, “It is a good problem to have, but we have had such good events that our Brethren tend to procrastinate as the event approaches. The biggest obstacle is procuring a sponsor for the event. We really do not want to burden our community by asking every little business for donations but landing the large sponsors takes a lot of time, that we sometimes do not have.” The event has always been focused around the competitors and their families. The campgrounds are rented from the
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Missouri Outreach
City of Smithville and no one but the competitors and their families are allowed in for the weekend. This was the first year for the Kids-Q contest and members of Temperance Lodge No. 438 stood by, smiling at the eager little faces of the children that would be participating that night. Each contestant (aged 4 to 12 years of age) was given one pound of hamburger and the instructions that were needed to prepare an item for the judges to taste and have it returned to the tent within one hour. Many of the children have seen their parents and grandparents compete that they are well-versed in the lingo that accompanies the contest. “We thought it would be a fun event to have the kids be in the spot light and share in some of the glory of the weekend. We also use it as a way to show the public how our Fraternity values children and gears a lot around our future generations. This first year was pure trial and error and we wanted to keep it simple....thus the choice of hamburger. These kids had a great time and really produced some great entries.” Kerns relates, “Preregistration was pretty low and I think the competitors were a little cautious about our first time. Everything really went well and, as we always do at each competition, the feedback from everyone will be used to have better Kids-Q competitions in the future.”
in the event, received a participation ribbon and bag of goodies. “We were looking for an event that would allow the lodge to be in the public eye and allow us to show what we do and the pride we take working together.” Tony says, “Most people may be a little shocked when I say that there are not a lot of profits. KCBS always warns to competitions that these are not money makers and should not be used as such. There has to be other motivating factors to produce a good event. The net proceeds are held in a separate lodge account (Special Events) and used for the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program, Widows Program, Jobs Daughters/ DeMolay support, and other Masonic or Masonic Home of Missouri projects and events.” The event has not been approved by the Lodge or by KCBS for 2016 but that normally occurs after the Lodge installation and just before the Grand Lodge session. For more information about the event, contact Anthony J. “Tony” Kerns at kerns@kernsconnection.com or any member of Temperance Lodge No. 438.
Members of Temperance Lodge pose with the Grand Champion winner, Blaine Atkins, aged 4 years old. (photo credit: Masonic Home of Missouri)
A Kids-Q entry (photo credit: Masonic Home of Missouri)
RWB Ronald “Ron” Jones, Barbara Ramsey, Executive Director of the Masonic Home of Missouri and Rhonda Stone Lightfoot, Community Relations Coordinator were three of the guest judges who sampled and then graded the presentations from the children. Meatballs and hamburgers were favorite entries and all judging was done with no knowledge of which child made the entry. To the delight of all assembled, the two youngest competitors, Blaine Atkins (age 4 years old) won Grand Champion and Jackson Felty (aged 4 years old) won Reserve Champion at the event. Each child, involved
Jackson Felty, aged 4 years old smiles ear-to-ear while posing with his Reserve Champion trohpy with members of Temperance Lodge. (photo credit: Masonic Home of Missouri)
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13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament The 13th Annual Masonic Home of Missouri Charity Golf Tournament was held on Monday, May 4th at the Columbia Country Club. All proceeds from the event support our Children’s Outreach and Creating -A-Partnership (CAP) Programs. The tournament was a success, with the amazing support of 61 sponsors, 22 lodges, and 23 volunteers! Thirty teams participated in this early celebration of Cinco de Mayo… our first themed tournament. The theme was enjoyed throughout the course with margaritas on one hole donated by Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant and chips and salsa on another hole donated by El Tigre Mexican Restaurant. A photo “booth” was set up on Hole #8 with themed props sponsored by the Masonic Home staff. A new game, Pitt Putt Golf, was enjoyed by players as they attempted to putt an avocado pit into a sombrero! A tasty nacho bar was available for all during the Awards Banquet, sponsored by U.S. Bank. Additional games played on the course included our traditional Choose Your Tee and Roll the Die games. There was a Hole-In-One opportunity to win a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze, along with three smaller Hole-In-One opportunities, all sponsored by Bob McCosh Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac. A silent auction and raffle were filled with great items as well! Congratulations to our Winners!!! Flight A 1st Place - Jeff Smith, Jesse Loeb, Steve Adams, and Rocky Campbell! In addition to plaques commemorating the event, the team took home a free round of golf for each player at Columbia Country Club! Flight A 2nd Place - Chris Nickle, Chris Briley, Jim Gilbert, and Chris Faubion. Flight B 1st Place - Shelly Copeland, Beverly Eichelberger, Pamela Rapp, and Vickie Zeller. Flight B 2nd Place - Larry Hall, Larry Walker, Chet Dietderick, and Bill Bowser. Men’s Longest Drive - Nicholas Orscheln Women’s Longest Drive - Nancy Gordon Men’s Closest to the Pin - Thom McAleer Women’s Closest to the Pin - Bev Eichelberger Putt-Fore-Cash Contest - Tim Steinbeck. Tim donated a large portion of his winnings back to the Masonic Home! Thank you, Tim!
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Thank You to our Supporters!! Thank you to all players, sponsors, and volunteers! You have made the 13th Annual Masonic Home Charity Golf Tournament a success!! We would like to extend a special Thank You to Barbara Henderson for helping to make this year’s tournament a success! We hope you will all join us next year!
Golf Cart Sponsors Williams-Keepers, LLC Drink Cart Sponsors Air Systems MHM Board of Directors Putting Green Sponsor Modern Litho Hole-in-One Sponsor Bob McCosh Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, Inc.
Clubhouse Sponsors Primary Tournament Sponsors Boone County National Bank Central Trust & Investment Company Pro Shop Sponsor Awards Banquet Sponsor U.S. Bank Welcome Bag Sponsor Bob McCosh Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, Inc. Signage Sponsor Premier Paper and Packaging Program Sponsor Mizpah Mount Moriah Lodge No. 40 Golf Ball Sponsor Lanit Boxed Lunch Sponsor Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
Course Activity Sponsors Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant El Tigre Mexican Restaurant Masonic Home of Missouri Staff Game Hole Sponsors Bill & Georgia Zimmerman Corinthian Lodge No. 265 Gardenville-Cache Lodge No. 455 O’Sullivan Lodge No. 7 ProTouch Maintenance Company Ricoh USA Hole Sponsors Alice K. Leeper, RE/MAX Boone Realty Ava Lodge No. 26 Bilt Rite Buildings Boone County Lumber Company Brotherhood Lodge No. 269 Caroline & Company Charity Zeredatha Lodge No. 189 Clay Lodge No. 207 Collegiate Awards Columbia Landcare, LLC Granite Lodge No. 272 Herculaneum Lodge No. 338 ...continued next page...
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Hillyard I.B. Nuts and then some Infinitech JD Lee & Sons Funeral Home Joe Machens Linn Creek Lodge No. 152 Midwest Autoworx Missouri River Monument Company, LLC Noble Lodge No. 684 Randy Adams Construction Owensville Lodge No. 624 Roy Cary Livestock & Machinery Stephanie Wilmsmeyer, State Farm Insurance Summit Lodge No. 263 The Insurance Group Trane Veterans United Home Loans Friends of Outreach Sponsors Billings Lodge No. 379 Hebron Lodge No. 354 Jonesburg Lodge No. 457 Leadwood Lodge No. 598 Mansfield Lodge No. 543 Neosho Lodge No. 247 United Lodge No. 5 Wentzville Lodge No. 46 Additional Support Barbara & Joe Henderson Baxter’s Lakeside Grille Bear Creek Valley Golf Club Bob McCosh Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, Inc. Bob’s Sunglasses Boone County National Bank Central Trust & Investment Company Columbia Country Club Eldon Golf Club Guardian Holiday Inn - East HyVee I.B. Nuts and then some Jimmy John’s Jim Ford Jim & Yvonne McManigle John & Rose Schloot Lutz’s BBQ MFA/Breaktime Nauser Beverage Old Kinderhook Osage National Golf Club
Paragon Certified Restoration Pepsi RE-Axe Products, LLC Ron Jones Sam’s Club Sycamore Creek Tan-Tar-A Resort The Insurance Group Staff The Jewelry Connection U.S. Bank Veterans United Home Loans Businesses Providing Teams Boone County National Bank Central Trust & Investment Company Commerce Bank Global Biologics I.B. Nuts and then some Infinitech Landmark Bank Midwest Autoworx Missouri Credit Union Modern Litho The Insurance Group Trane U.S. Bank Volunteers Keith Bail Nick Cichielo Jayme Dement Ina Duncan Steve Duncan Ginny Goede Lionel Goede Carol Green Diane Haywood Ron Jones Rick Kaiser Shana Landrum Denise Larkin Alice Leeper June Smith Dick Smith Ginger Taylor Cecily Treutelaar Ty Treutelaar Cathy Ward Dan Ward Stephanie Wilmsmeyer
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More photos on our website at www.mohome.org/Golf
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Serving up Tea, Sweets and Information
A
lmost two years ago, the Masonic Home of Missouri introduced the Ladies Luncheon & Teas as a way to present information to Masonic wives and widows, along with Masons. Lodges began hosting the events and the Home provided a speaker, who presented information on the history of the Home and the Outreach Programs. This special program has been very popular with over 2,500 individuals learning firsthand how the programs work. The first year, there was one very unique event that has continued to grow in attendance and in enthusiasm due to its uniqueness. It was an actual Tea, complete with teapots of hot water, different teas to choose from and scrumptious sweets to tempt the attendees. “Originally, the wife of one of our past masters had the idea of holding the tea.” Randy Davis, a member of Polar Star Rose Hill Lodge No. 79 says, “Unfortunately, the attendance was low due to other events happening in town but I promised her that I would hold a tea during my tenure as Worshipful Master and we did. We had such great feedback from that tea that the Lodge has continued to host them each year since.”
Lodge members. Including the Lodge’s widows, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow and DeMolay moms has really made the event a true success. This year, postcards were sent out to invite everyone also. Everyone is encouraged to bring a special teacup and share its meaning but if you do not have a teacup, one will be provided for you. “We choose speakers who entertain but also educate.” Davis says. “One year, we invited a local chocolatier who gave out samples and this year, we had a lady come and speak about the processes of making artesian soaps. We want our Ladies to be entertained and have a chance to re-connect as friends. The first year we hosted the Tea, we heard many comments from our ladies about how they used to have teas together in the past and how much they enjoyed attending.“
Attendees listening to the processes for making soap. (photo credit: Randy Davis)
Arranging any event takes some time to plan and organize. Having great volunteers to help out and an A selection of pastries and teas (photo credit: Randy Davis) effective leader is what rounds out this event. Maureen Davis, Randy’s wife, has put a lot of effort into the The Lodge is creative in ways to invite the wives of the event from purchasing teapots and teacups at garage Lodge members by using the Lodge’s Trestleboard, sales and thrift stores to finding the pastries for the Facebook page, website, emails and ‘gentle nudges’ to event. Maureen arrives early for the event to make sure page 28 Missouri Outreach
everything is ready and starts decorating. Setting up and tearing down take the longest amount of time but several members are on-hand to help out with that. Keeping hot water in the teapots during the event also requires some effort but several volunteers help with that. “I really encourage Lodges to hold a Ladies luncheon, dinner or tea. So many times we are leaving Masonic ‘widows’ at home while we do our lodge things. We need to get our wives involved, so everyone has an understanding of why Masonry is so important to us and to them. Take the time to do something special that makes the wife feel appreciated.” Davis continues, “Invite the Masonic Home to present on their programs. Educating people before they might need the services offered is key to ensuring our families are taken care of.”
Mark Your Calendar!! Masonic Home of Missouri Annual Truman Club Dinner Saturday, September 26, 2015 Columbia, MO NEW this year… We have 2 wonderful items that will be included in our silent auction! Thanks to the generosity of John and Rose Schloot, Kevin Kormeier and Kristin Sneed attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to make the winning bid for: a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Cross River Lodge (www.crossriverlodge.com) on Northern Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail Includes: a 2 day fishing boat or pontoon rental, free kayak and canoe usage, ½ day boat or fishing tour and made to order breakfast every morning.
Thanks to the generosity of James E and Yvonne McManigle attendees will also have the exclusive opportunity to make the winning bid for: Assortment of teapots for the luncheon. (Photo credit: Randy Davis)
Polar Star Rose Hill Lodge No. 79 has found a unique way to make their Lodges wives, widows, young ladies, and even the mothers of their Masonic youth feel appreciated and involved. If your Lodge is interested in hosting a Ladies Luncheon or Tea, please contact the Masonic Home of Missouri at (800) 434-9804. Upcoming event: Polar Star Rose Hill Lodge No. 79 will host a Scotch Tasting event during the evening of July 11, 2015. Tickets are $60 and all funds raised will go towards the Masonic Home of Missouri’s CreatingA-Partnership (CAP) Program. This matching funds program may matchup to $10,000.00 per fiscal year per Lodge or Chapter. Polar Star Rose Hill Lodge members will be supporting a community backpack food program for local children with the funding.
A handmade quilt, which includes pictures of the nine art glass windows that were refurbished during the Masonic Home of Missouri’s 125th Anniversary. These pieces are on permanent display at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, Mo. All proceeds from the auction of this item will benefit the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Outreach Programs. The Truman Club is a dedicated group of donors who support the Home with on-going annual giving of at least $100.00 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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What the Financial Counseling Program Offers
The Financial Counseling Program offers financial educational services to our Masonic members and their family through individual financial counseling consultations and group educational presentations. Unlike the Financial Assistance Programs, the Financial Counseling Program does not have Age & Length of Membership guidelines. People fall into financial distress for a multitude of reasons: downturn in the economy, loss of employment, unexpected health issues, or a family emergency. Financial Assistance from the Home can help a Brother and his family back onto the right path, and the Financial Counseling Program offers financial education and resources to help keep them there. Many participants in the Financial Counseling Program who receive one-on-one consultations are referred from the Short-Term Financial Assistance Program to reinforce certain skills, such as budgeting, prioritizing expenses, debt management, and setting short-term financial goals. Many are also selfreferred, wanting assistance to organize their finances in order to avoid financial crisis in the future. The Financial Counseling Program also assists older members and widows who are planning to make major lifestyle changes, such as downsizing their home or moving to an Assisted Living Facility. Financial Counseling staff can assist them determine what their available assets and income will allow them to do, and locate possible additional sources of income and services. page 30
Financial Counseling staff also conducts large group educational presentations. One presentation available is geared towards kids ages 13 and older and introduces them to the world of finance, covering topics such as how generate an income, explanation of taxes, prioritizing spending, budgeting, credit use, and student loans. Another is geared towards older adults who are living on a fixed income and focuses on budgeting, planning for the future, and explanation of available benefits and services in their area. Hosting a Financial Counseling presentation offers opportunity for Lodges and Chapters to connect with the youth and Masonic widows in their community. The Financial Counseling Caseworker will travel to your location to give these presentations free of charge. The hosting Lodge’s responsibility would be to coordinate the event, provide the meeting space, and chaperone the event. All the efforts of the Lodge and Chapter members involved would be logged as Volunteer Hours, an in-kind donation to the Masonic Home of Missouri where you donate your time and talents to the charity. If you are interested in any of the services offered through the Financial Counseling Program, or know someone who might be, please contact Carly Dibben, Financial Counseling Caseworker, at cdibben@ mohome.org or (800) 434-9804. She will happily meet with you and help you schedule a private consultation or group presentation.
Missouri Outreach
The MWB John D. Vincil Master Builder Society (Vincil Society) is a recognition program designed to recognize Lodges, Chapters and other organizations for cumulative giving to the Masonic Home of Missouri since January 1, 2014. It is a permanent and public way for the Masonic Home to say “Thank You� for your most appreciated support! Recognition Levels - Through the Vincil Society, your organization will be recognized in various ways based on the giving level achieved. The Vincil Society recognition levels are as follows:
Annual Recognition - In the fall of each year, the Home will recognize new members and those who have achieved a new society level within the current year. Gifts can be made to the Home any time during the year; however, gifts received by August 31st each year will be included for recognition purposes within that year. Gifts received after that date will be included for recognition purposes the following year. New Vincil Society members and those who have achieved a new level during the year will be formally notified and invited to attend the fall recognition event. Joining the Vincil Society - The Masonic Home of Missouri appreciates all of the ways you financially support this great charity! Aside from continuing this support, there is no action required on your part to join the Vincil Society. Once your cumulative giving has reached a qualifying amount, we will notify you and invite you to join. Qualifying Gifts – Gifts that will be included in calculating your cumulative giving include, but are not limited to, the following: Penny-A-Day, memorial and honorary gifts, paver stone donations, event sponsorships, and any other general contribution. Gifts that do not qualify when calculating the cumulative giving for an organization include: Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) and Partnering to Honor (PTH) donations matched by the Home, Per Capita, event tickets or registration fees, purchase of items, and gifts to other Masonic Charities. Spread the Word! Please encourage your lodge, chapter or other organization to participate in the Vincil Society and help spread the word on how your support of the Masonic Home can help assist our Brothers, Sisters, widows and deserving children across the state. To learn more about the Vincil Society and MWB John D. Vincil himself, please visit our website at www.mohome. org or contact our Annual Giving Officer at (800) 434-9804. Summer Issue 2015 page 31
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 Saturday, July 18, 2015 • Board of Director’s Meeting in Columbia, MO • Mt. Washington Lodge No. 614 Ladies Dinner (Indpedendence, MO) Saturday, August 22, 2015 • Board of Director’s Meeting in Columbia, MO Saturday, September 26, 2015 • Truman Club Dinner Monday, September 28 - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 • 194th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri
Monday, September 28, 2015 • Masonic Home of Missouri’s Representative Education luncheon Sunday, October 11 - Wednesday, October 14, 2105 • Grand Chapter 2015 Session