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BEACON PROJECT REPORT September 2005 - June 2006
If a beacon is a guiding light then our Madison Heights Temple shines
brightly. We have been active in the Beacon Project for six years. In
the last school year, members of Masonic Lodges 551, and 464, Royal Arch
Masons 167, Order of Eastern Star 392, Demolay Phoenix Chapter, and the
Ladies’ Auxiliary all contributed to this valuable gift of time to local
schools. Michigan Grand Lodge encourages these efforts by expressing
that this gift “...is unprecedented in this state and perhaps in all of
the U.S.” “Children will meet and get to know you as a man and a Mason.”
Weekly contacts to Northwood Elementary School were made from September
2005 through June 2006 by Fred Kaiser PM (B of GP), Tom Poole PM (RO
464), Chuck Wright SrD (NAC 551), Cliff Dean PM (NAC 551), Donna
Doyscher (Ladies Aux.), and Raymond Doyscher PM (NAC 551).
On April 4th, Phoenix Demolays presented over 200 children’s books to
the Northwood School staff and received profound recognition from the
teachers and the principal. One teacher stated, “ That Demolay group
made our whole year.” Daily Tribune columnist Shirley McLellan reported
this story May 1, 2006. (Thank you Shirley).
Then for the 5th consecutive year our Beacon program ended with
Northwood teacher Pat Hein’s 4th graders inviting us, their Masonic pen
pals, to another wonderful tea party on May 31st. This event received
press coverage in the Royal Oak Review on June 7th. The article was
highlighted by pictures of Helen Jones, Helen Black, and Chuck Wright.
There was even a half picture of Bob Jones. Teacher Hein told reporter
Beth Garcia that, “The Freemason members make a positive impact on the
children with this program.” The pen pal program has now become an
annual event. Thirty six Beacon letter writers responded to the student
letters.
$ Heather to Chuck Wright: “I am excited and interested to hear from you
because I’ve never had a pen pal before.”
$ Zac to Mr. Doyscher: “...and thank you for all of those books you gave
us...They were fun to read...You guys are the best.”
$ Catherine to Warren Boyer: “What is it like to be a Mason? What is a
Mason?”
$ Sean to Jack Hodges: (explaining why he wants to be a carpenter)
“...you know, when you make your own peanut butter and jelly sandwich,
it always tastes better when you make it yourself.”
$ Nick to Allen Coulter: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
$ Robyn to Ira Strickstein: “How old are you? If you don’t want to tell
me I understand.”
$ Brandon to Al Cook: “I want to be an NBA superstar or an archaeologist
because I like to dig and play basketball.”
This past year our Madison Heights Temple proudly recorded 333 Beacon
Project credit hours to Michigan Grand Lodge. We have volunteered more
than 1,500 Beacon Hours since the inception of the program in 2000.
Grand Lodge believes that “Students who do not have fathers living at
home will meet a man they can look up to.” Grand Lodge states, “There is
nothing more exciting than giving a gift that counts, and nothing more
important than delivering on that promise.” Grand Lodge can be pleased
with us, we have accomplished that mission.
Huge accolades to all who were in any way a part of this year’s Beacon
Program. Congratulations for another job well done. And bless all of
those who aspire to continue to carry this Masonic Beacon light to our
schools. You will be so very welcome, so appreciated, and so adored that
you will pop your buttons. Please call me and I’ll put you to work. You
can name the hours and the time, and the day. Thanks again, you are all
great.
Raymond Doyscher PM, Beacon Project Coordinator
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