projects

We also have a very special project this year, which is Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy. Duchenne's is an inherited disease. It is caused by a defective gene. Children ages two to sixteen are affected and symptoms include muscle weakness and the wasting away of the muscles of hands, forearms and lower legs. Survival beyond the mid-20's is rare. It affects mostly boys and they are usually in a wheelchair early in life with some never being able to walk.

Columbus Children's Hospital, along with several other Children's hospitals across the country, are working on a cure for Duchenne's. All monies received this year through Chapter's Sunshine donations designated for this project will go directly to Dr. Jerry Mendell, M.D., head of research at Columbus Children’s Hospital and will be used only for research. We ask that you make your check payable to Lucasville Chapter #495 stating on the memo line that it is to go to Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. The check should be send to: Catherine F. Jones., Worthy Grand Matron, 1121 Meadow Lane, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662. I will be attending a fundraiser this summer for Duchene's, where I will present a check in the full amount of all donations to Dr. Mendell from our Ohio Order of the Eastern Star for his research. I hope you consider a donation of one of your Sunshine collections to this most worthy cause. We have chosen this project because children are our future.

We have been encouraged by the interest that has been shown in our Music Program. Now that we have distributed the set of 3 music CDs to enhance your Eastern Star meetings, we are sure that others will be interested in the program. You will find on this website the form to order your own set of CDs!

The CD music project was developed for those chapters which do not have an organist. It has never been our intent to replace any of our talented musicians. There is nothing that can compare to live music to make our meetings more enjoyable. The recorded music idea was to enable chapters to enjoy their meetings, even though they may not have their own organist.

Of course, having the CDs will also be a back-up for the chapter whose organist at the last minute becomes ill, who may be away on vacation, or for whatever reason cannot attend a meeting.

You may find that some tunes on these CDs are appropriate for marching or as vocal ode accompaniment. We endeavored to provide many marches, familiar odes, and all the “Welcome” songs or tunes we have ever heard to give you a wide range of possibilities. If you are unsure of the words to a song, you will have to rely on neighboring chapters!

This music process will take practice, just like the other officers practice. However, when your “organist/music operator” becomes familiar with the player and the music, you may wish to branch out to other CDs for marching music, or instrumentals for use during presentations or the sunshine collection. You may want to use tunes geared to the Chapter’s theme or the theme of the evening, i.e. Hawaiian, Christmas or OSU music!

Another possibility would be to purchase a religious or familiar/popular tune karaoke CD with a vocal track to learn a song, and then use the accompaniment only track for an opening, patriotic or closing ode. The possibilities are endless, once you become familiar with the process.

OHIO GRAND CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL FUND

Research going back to 1978 showed this fund, established for educational purposes, had not been tapped for a large amount during that time, so Endowed Scholarships were established in 2001 at the following Universities. Ohio University in Athens, Kent State University, Miami University in Oxford and University of Toledo.

Each was established at $25,000.00 and only the interest can be used each year. Two students received $1500.00 each for two years from one of these Universities and others have been awarded various amounts from the other Universities. The Scholarships are written in the name of The Grand Chapter of Ohio, Order of the Eastern Star and can be found on the internet for any of these schools.

The criteria the Grand Trustees established are:

1. Upper class students or graduate students (no freshman)

2. Students from Ohio only

3. No academic requirements or special field of study

4. Financial need not a requirement

5. Renewable only once

6. Funding only for tuition or books

7. Must be a U.S. citizen but outside activities not considered

8. Scholarship not refundable

9. Each University will select the recipients

Please support our Ohio Educational Fund by designating a sunshine collection or include it in your chapter budget for this fund.

As a member of the Education Committee for General Grand Chapter from Ohio, I would like to know the following:

Does your Chapter have special projects to raise funds for Scholarships?

What amount of scholarship funds are provided by your chapter and/or group in the name of Eastern Star? Please send your response to:

Eloise Wyse, GGCCM, PGM

14129 Co. Rd. 23

Fayette, OH 43521

Honeybee43521@verizon.net

In creating the 32 Degree Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc. it has been our mission to provide professional treatment - free of charge - to children with dyslexia.

We're also committed to increasing public awareness of dyslexia as well as improving the standards of care through research and education. (AASR, Northern Jurisdiction)

Support of this project "will bring the joy of reading and learning to children with dyslexia." Watch for more information through your Districts and Chapters. Please help in this most worthwhile project .

A. Awards are to be made to students preparing for leadership in various fields of religious service including: Ministers, Missionaries, Directors of Church Music, Director of Religious Education or Directors of Youth Leadership.

B. Awards may be variable in amount and determined by the ESTARL Committee on the basis of funds available, number of applicants, ability and need of individuals.

C. Awards are outright gifts and are made for one year. Consideration may be given for future awards on basis of eligibility.

D. Awards are made in the form of a certificate sent to the student. The student is free to select the school of his or her choice which has an accredited course in the field of the various religious services. A check in the amount of the award is sent to the school for the use of that particular student while pursuing the studies in preparation for full-time religious service. The money is issued primarily for tuition, but may be used for books, room, board, or medical aid.

A. Applicants must be a resident of Ohio or be an Ohio High School graduate and have completed two (2) years in an accredited college.

C. Applicants must be interested in dedicating their lives to FULL TIME RELIGIOUS SERVICE. Awards will be based upon indication of scholarship, character, leadership qualities, need and evidence of self-help.

E. Preference will be given to anyone who is already training in the religious field, and needs to continue his or her education.

A. Any subordinate Chapter that feels it has an eligible scholarship candidate should write to the Chairperson of the ESTARL Committee, give the name of the Candidate and request proper application procedures.

B. The student need only be sponsored by vote of the Chapter. The sponsoring Chapter assumes no financial responsibility by this action, however, the Chapter should have available to them the financial need of the student and some background on the student as to his or her sincerity of achieving their goal in religious leadership. After sponsorship, the Chapter secretary should write to the ESTARL Chairperson requesting an application form.

Subordinate Chapters and members of the Order are urged to give enthusiastic and generous support to this program. Has your Chapter contributed recently?