Grand Chapter Projects
Cancer Project
Our Masonic Family has a wonderful partnership with the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota which we will continue to support. In consulting with Dr. McGlave at the University we have determined to support one of their top priorities, which is of solid Tumor Oncology with emphasis on breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers. Solid tumors are abnormal masses or growths in organs or soft tissues in the body. A solid tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Examples of solid tumors include: breast, prostate, lung, colon and rectum cancers, sarcomas and lymphomas. It is critical to research to improve diagnosis and treatment because solid tumor cancers affect the biggest number of people. For example, the estimated number of people sho will be diagnosed with solid tumor cancers in 2009 include:
- Breast Cancer - 211,240 women in the United States; 3,400 in Minnesota
- Prostate Cancer - 232,090 men in the United States; 4,200 men in Minnesota
- Colon & Rectum Cancer - 145,290 men and women in the United States; 2,400 men and women in Minnesota
- Lung Cancer - 172,570 men and women in the United States; 2,900 men and women in Minnesota.
In addition to accepting Chapter donations and memorials, we have another beautiful afghan to raffle off and will hold a benefit Dance and Auction at the South St. Paul Hotel on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Be ready for lots of fun at our USO Dance. Also, as the Grand Family travels around the state, listen for the whoosh of eagles' wings. We have a beautiful Giuseppe Armani Eagle sculpture donated by two of our members to be raffled off to support our Cancer Project.
Please make check payable to Grand Chapter of Minnesota OES with "Cancer Project" shown in the memo line.
Questions for Cancer Project CONTACT
U.S.O. Grand Chapter Cancer Benefit Dance
November 14, 2009
5:00 Social 6:30 Dinner
South St. Paul Clarion Hotel (same place as last year, new name)
701 Concord Street South. St. Paul MN (map)
$25 Donation
Reservations to: Maraline Keeling 4533 Slater Rd Apt 103, Eagan MN 55122 651-882-1343
Silent Auction items to: Dick McGinnis 746 St. Moritz, Victoria MN 55386 952-380-5820
Basket Raffle items to: Kitty Johansen 100 Oak St., Clearwater MN 55320 320-558-6615
Donations for Donation Board to: Julia Tollgaard 4130 160th Ln NW, Andover, MN 55304 763-421-0557
- Come and join the fun and support our Grand Chapter Cancer Research Project.
Hope to see you all there!!
Masonic Homes Project
In supporting the Minnesota Masonic Homes we have chosen a project that we hope will enhance the lives of the residents of both the North Ridge and Bloomington campuses. For the Bloomington Campus, our project is to purchase a blanket warmer. As we grow older the cold seems to creep into our bones. A nice warm blanket would certainly feel good to our residents on a frosty January day in Minnesota. Our North Ridge Campus project is to raise money toward an interactive computer system that will allow residents to communicate through e-mail and to receive the benefit of both physical and mental exercize to keep their minds and bodies fit.
Questions for Masonic Homes Project CONTACT
Masonic Homes Project
Special Appeal
The North Ridge Campus has made space available for a new chapel. The structure exists, as a room for a permanent Chapel has now become available. They request our assistance to paint and furnish this special place and we feel that this a wonderful opportunity to help our residents in the North Ridge Masonic Home. We have a promise of pews from the Bloomington Campus and we are working on several other donations to furnish the Chapel. The items needed to purchase or have donated are an altar, lectern, altar cloth, large print bibles and stakable folding chairs with arms. There is a requirement to carpet the floor and install new ceiling tiles and obtain new shades for the windows. There is a sound system available but there will be an expense in moving it to the new location.
The total costs of the chapel is estimated to be $22,000.00 Our goal is to raise 50% of the chapel cost. We have a commitment of matching funds from Minnesota Masonic Charities. Kathie Brown is the Chairman for the Special Appeal Project.
When you or your Chapters send in donations supporting our Masonic Homes please indicate clearly in the memo line of your check what the funds are supporting. The Payee name will always be Minnesota Grand Chapter, OES. On the memo line; however, us one of these designations:
- MASONIC HOMES PROJECT - checks with this designation will be put in a fund to be split between the blanket warmers for Bloomington and the computer system for North Ridge. These donations should be sent to the Project Chairpeople for the Masonic Homes Project.
- NORTH RIDGE CHAPEL SPECIAL APPEAL - checks with this designation will be put into the fund for the renovation and furnishing of the Chapel at the North Ridge Campus. These donations should be send to the Chairperson for the Worthy Matron's Special Appeal.
Grand Chapter Jewelry Project
We have decided to share a pin this year. Our pin is a shooting star and a soaring eagle imposed on the state of Minnesota. Because there is only one pin, we are requesting that they be sold for the price of $4.00. The proceeds from this year's Jewelry Project will also go toward the Masonic Homes Project.
Questions for Grand Chapter Jewelry CONTACT
Scholarships
Many of our members, their families and friends have benefited from our scholarships, and we will continue to support these programs. ESTARL is our religious scholarship program and the M. Josephine Rusham Scholarship is a program for graduating High School Seniors, We hope that each Chapter will support both of these fine scholarships with a fund raising event or collection.
Community Service Project
Our Community Project this year will be "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon." This is an organization that is dedicated to bringing Soldiers and Their Families All The Way Home. Each Chapter can work within their local community with a National Guard or Reserve unit consisting of their friends and neighbors. Each Chapter will be able to craft their participation to fit their capabilities and the service members needs.
Questions for Community Service Project CONTACT
Travel Club
Sisters and Brothers, we hope you are ready to go "On the Road Again", with our 2009-2010 Travel Club. We will again have a two part contest for traveling and visiting of Eastern Star Chapters and events. The first part is a Chapter competition of "Capture the Flag". Each Chapter will be issued a small US flag, which can be "Captured" by another Chapter visiting with four or more members. For the Chapter that has the most flags as of Grand Chapter next May, Brother Jim has obtained a full size US flag, which was flown over the Capitol in Washington D.C. on the birthday of our founder, Rob Morris.
There is also an individual component to the Travel Club, in which members can receive a ribbon and pins for earning personal points for attending various Eastern Star Events.
Individual Travel Club Form
Questions about the Travel Club CONTACT
Grand Chapter Trip
This year's Grand Chapter trip is going to Washington D.C. The trip will be September 9-14, 2009. We are going to celebrate the 100th Birthday of the Belmont Mansion, the International Headquarters of the Order of the Eastern Star. There will be many tours available to visit the many landmarks in the Washington D.C. Area.