Resource Center News Honoring Community

The goal of The Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center is to help members of the Masonic family, and other Ohioans, find solutions for their financial, social and clinical needs. Our focus is on helping those we serve receive the resources they need in the best location, whether that be their home, one of our campuses, or elsewhere. That goal remains the same, as we strive to stay connected through COVID-19.

that we have with all of you, and we are honored to serve in every Masonic District across the state, through connection to the OMH campuses and our trusted partners, and through our Masonic Volunteer Program, and Widow's Program. We offer connection to benefits, products, service coordination and referral, an Emergency Assistance Program, and a Masonic "At-Home" Financial Assistance Program for those that qualify.

We are all learning new ways to connect with each other during this time. We cherish the relationships

If you are in need of services, or for more information, contact us at 877-881-1623.

Masonic Volunteer Program Committees Step up to Serve our Communities

Throughout the last few months, while COVID-19 has changed our daily lives and brought about a new normal, our 13 MVP Committees were busy serving our community clients. Necessary changes were made to implement OMH’s protocol requiring PPE and social distancing where applicable. Acting as the arms of our Resource Center, our MVPs made hundreds of calls to check on their Brothers and OES sisters, dropped off prescriptions, food and other needed supplies, and sent cards to let others know they are not alone. Even while the Fraternity was unable to gather in person, our MVPs creatively opened lines of communication via phone, e-mail and virtual chats. We had volunteers who worked with their local Liaisons to help clients file for unemployment, find pharmacies that would deliver medications, and arranged for virtual visits with loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes. One gentleman in SE Ohio reported that while he was recovering from an illness, Committee Volunteers came and cut his grass without even being asked to do so. This is what it means to be a part of the Masonic Volunteer Program, and the almost 300 volunteers who identify a need and respond to it as best they can. Our volunteers have taken their obligations to heart and we thank them for their service and support. Despite the pandemic, or perhaps because of it, interest in the Masonic Volunteer Program has grown statewide. We now have 15 of the 25 Districts represented in the program.

If your District is interested in scheduling a training to develop a new committee, please contact DeAnna Kinney, SE Ohio Liaison and Masonic Volunteer Program Coordinator, at 740-262-1974.

Navigating Your Financial Planning Through COVID-19

COVID-19 has caused a lot of financial distress for a lot of people but others are saving money by not being able to spend money on things like dining out, theaters, concerts, or sporting events. Some people are accumulating money in their bank accounts, while others have an urge to spend this extra money now for something they have been longing for. Financial advisors warn against spending extra money now. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last and you may end up needing the savings for essential living expenses before this is over.

If you are in need of financial resources, or to see what aid and relief funds you may be eligible for, contact us. We can help. Millie McNeal, Financial Assistance and Billing Coordinator, can be reached at 937-525-3005. 10 SUMMER 2020

Do you have a family member or loved one facing challenges due to COVID-19. Outreach to our family and/or friends is more important than ever during this time. Feelings of loneliness and social isolation can have a drastic impact on our loved ones. Throughout the pandemic, Resource Center Liaisons have completed outreach to our community members encouraging socialization and to assure them that they are continually thought of. Are there ways you can help the community? If you answered yes, contact the Resource Center and we can direct you to resources for local senior centers, our own MVP program and community outreach programs, and discuss resources with you that you may utilize for your loved ones during this time.

If you have any questions on local resources, and/or on the Masonic Youth

Outreach Program, please contact Raquel Brown,

Northwest Ohio Liaison, at 419-260-0855. In today’s news we hear COVID-19 daily. Despite the negativity, I continue to count my blessings. You see, in 2019 I lost both of my parents within 3 weeks of each other. After their deaths, I found myself thinking more about my own mortality. I began to look at my life and think about what brings me joy... my job, my children, my husband, my friends, and other family members. I started to assess my life. My job at that time no longer brought me joy, like the way it did when I started. I decided to make a change and that change led me to the Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center last November. It’s always scary starting a new job but everyone has welcomed me and made me feel part of something much bigger. I am proud to work here and I am also proud to help people in the community and on our campus on a daily basis in NE Ohio. In March our normal changed with COVID-19. COVID-19 brought phone calls and e-mails, and no in-person visits or face-to-face fellowship with our Masonic Districts. But, COVID-19 did lead me to get to

In Southern Ohio, Masonic District 7 has completed their MVP training, bringing the Volunteer Committee officially on board on July 12. On July 26, Masonic District 6 will be coming on board with a new MVP Committee as well. As many of you know, Southern Ohio often 7th District MVP times experiences gaps in services, Committee Chairman, Jason lacking community resources found Throckmorton and in more populous areas of the state. his wife, Beth The Resource Center strives to try to find solutions to these needs where no formal services exist. The Resource Center is pleased to be the embodiment of the Ohio Masonic Home in Southern Ohio, working alongside our volunteers and community partners to meet the needs of the Fraternity. It is an exciting time to be a part of this important work! If you would like to become a part of the new MVP Committees in Districts 6 or 7, or for more resources, please reach out to

Melissa Hirn-Pulliam,

Southern Ohio Liaison,

Count Your Blessings

at 740-970-7903. know many IL residents at Western Reserve Masonic Community, and I’ve really enjoyed my conversations with them and learning what brings them joy! For me, my family and my work brings me joy. My husband and I have been married for 33 years this past June, and we have been empty-nesters for 2 years now. We have three children, one who lives in Detroit, Michigan, and two who live in Lexington, Kentucky. When I learned that there was an opening in our SW territory for a new Liaison, I made the request to transfer territories as I didn’t want to leave OMH! My request was approved, and as of August 1, I will be closer to two of my three kids and still work for OMH at a job I love.

If you know someone who is in need, or if you would like to schedule a presentation in SW Ohio, please contact me, Bobbi Schickler, at 513-567-1100. And remember, always count your blessings and do what brings you joy!

Samantha Loy

Director, OMH Resource Center & NE Ohio Liaison (937) 504-4407

Raquel Brown

NW Ohio Resource Center Liaison MYOP Coordinator (419) 260-0855

Bobbi Schickler

SW Ohio Resource Center Liaison (513) 567-1100

DeAnna Kinney Melissa Hirn-Pulliam

SE Ohio Resource South Central Ohio Resource

Center Liaison Center Liaison & Community & MVP Program Outreach Manager

Coordinator (740) 970-7903 (740) 262-1974

Millie McNeal

Financial Assistance Coordinator (937) 525-3005