People Helping People
Issue #18
Bayview, California
Bayview Auxiliary #2323 of El Cerrito, Calif., held a Breakfast with Santa event
last month for local children. In addition to the families of members, Bayview hosted
families residing in domestic abuse shelters through STAND. All children received
free breakfast, a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a toy of their choosing.
Five children found through STAND had only the clothes on their backs, prompting
Auxiliary members to purchase shoes, jackets, underwear, socks, shirts and pants
with their own money to help those in need. A woman from the shelter thanked Mrs.
Claus, telling her that “these girls have not smiled or laughed in so many months!
They have smiled and laughed all day and made me so happy!"
The Bayview Eagles also visited the children’s ward at Kaiser Hospital, with members
dressing as Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s Elves. Santa presented each child with
a stuffed animal of their choice, coloring books and crayons. The group has been
invited back to visit the ward for Christmas in 2012.
Lebanon, Ohio
The Eagle Riders of Lebanon, Ohio, #1395 helped make Christmas brighter for a local
family of five this holiday season. Santa and Mrs. Claus pulled up to the family’s
home in a motorcycle sleigh bearing gifts and a wonderful Christmas dinner. The
Lebanon Eagle Riders selects a family each holiday season to bless with gifts and
food donations from members of the Aerie and Auxiliary.
Atlanta, Michigan
Atlanta Thunder Bay Auxiliary #4077 of Atlanta, Mich., recently donated $1,865 to
the Alpena Chapter of the Hospice of Michigan. The Auxiliary held a luncheon in
October to raise the funds for donation.
Pictured, l to r, are Auxiliary Madam President Tanya Blackmer, Hospice Board of
Directors and Auxiliary Member Naomi Deo, Hospice of Michigan Representatives Shirley
Haan and Mary Burek and Auxiliary Hospice Luncheon Co-Chairmen Patty Dumas and Linda
Portice.
Elk River, Minnesota
Members of Elk River, Minn., #3264 recently collected more than $500 worth of donated
toys for Community Aid Elk River (CAER) in time for the holiday season.
Weeki Wachee, Florida
Members of Weeki Wachee, Fla., #4372 assisted 13 families (38 children total) this
holiday season as a part of their annual Christmas charity event. The group approached
two new local schools (Weeki Wachee High and Winding Waters K-8) looking for families
in need duringthe holiday season. The schools provided 10 local families to sponsor
with three more being nominated by members of the Eagles. Each of the 38 children
filled out a form listing their clothing sizes and a gift wish list. Each child
then receives three angels on a tree hosted at the Aerie for members to choose from
and buy gifts for. When gifts and food were delivered on Dec. 22, the Weeki Wachee
Eagles had raised enough to fill every child’s wish list and provide a full Christmas
dinner for all 13 of the families selected.
North Canton, Ohio
North Canton, Ohio, #2223 sponsored a local military family this Christmas. SPC
Michael Slider of the Ohio National Guard, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011,
leaving his wife and six children behind. Four months into his deployment, Slider
returned home to tend to his ill wife. With less than a week before Christmas, the
North Canton Eagles raised $1,184 to buy gifts for the children, food for the family
and treats for their pets. Slider and his wife declined gifts to ensure more was
spent on each of the children. Members dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus to present
the gifts to the family.
San Jose, California
San Jose, Calif., Aerie and Auxiliary #8 recently held their annual Children’s Christmas
Shopping Spree, providing $150 for 150 disadvantaged children to spend at a local
Target store. In a little over an hour, the San Jose Eagles spent $22,500 to make
Christmas considerably brighter for the 150 children and their families. Grand Worthy
President-Elect Ron Stine and Grand Madam President-Elect Sally Villalva were on
hand for the festivities, assisting kids.
Overgaard, Arizona
Top of the Rim Aerie #4437 in Overgaard, Ariz., works all year to provide a memborable
Christmas for struggling families in the area. This year, Top of the Rim raised
money to provide gifts, clothing and a Christmas dinner for five local families
and their children.
Brewer, Maine
Brewer, Maine, Aerie and Auxiliary #3177 took part in the “Hands of Hope” Christmas
tree project in 2011. Each tree contains tags with names of children or families
whose needs are great during the holiday season. The Aerie and Auxiliary each donated
$250, picking tags from the tree and providing gifts for the less fortunate. In
addition, the Past Presidents Club of Brewer donated $250 to ensure another family
had a joyous holiday.
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, Calif., Eagles #93 recently held their Muscular Dystrophy Association
Children’s Christmas Party, raising $500 for MDA research and assistance. Each year
the Aerie donates use of the building with the Auxiliary providing food, service
and entertainment for children in the area. Past Madam President Opal Morland taught
a hula class, while the local MDA representative provided gifts, food and a crafts
table. Santa was on hand to deliver gifts to the children in attendance.
Woodsfield, Ohio
Auxiliary #2302 of Woodsfield, Ohio, spread holiday cheer in 2011 by donating $250
to Sunshine’s Secret Santas program as well as the Monroe Manor Merry Elves program,
which provide gifts for less fortunate children ages 13 and up. The Eagles also
donated to the Christmas for Little Ones program in the area.
Naples, Florida
Golden Gate Eagles #4028 of Naples, Fla., recently held a charity golf tournament
to benefit the American Cancer Society’s R.O.C.K. (Reaching Out to Cancer Kids)
Program, raising $3,000 for the program’s Collier chapter. The funds donated will
benefit R.O.C.K. Camp, which provides children with cancer the unique experience
of summer camp while being surrounded by other children suffering with cancer, as
well as the Family R.O.C.K. Weekend event and the program’s scholarship fund.
Pictured, l to r, are Worthy Chaplain Dave Johnson, R.O.C.K. participant Anthony
Chute and Worthy Outside Guard Ken Glesen.
Juneau, Alaska
The Eagles of Juneau, Alaska, #4200 rang in the new year by donating $10,000 to
community charities. Juneau Eagles raised the money throughout 2011 and presented
10 local charities with $1,000 after the first of the year. Those receiving donations
from the organization include; The St. Vincent de Paul Society, Gastineau Humane
Society, Juneau Pioneer Home, Wildflower Court, Southeast Alaska Food Bank, Thunder
Mountain High School Pep Band, the Glory Hole, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Salvation
Army and Southeast Alaska Independent Living.
Cicero, Illinois
Cicero, Ill., Aerie #1935 continued their annual tradition of donating to the Cicero
Holiday Family Food Drive in 2011. The Cicero Eagles presented nearly 100 toys to
Retired Deputy Fire Marshal Louis A. Guido in December to help local disadvantaged
children.
Vermillion, South Dakota
The Eagle Riders of Sunshine Aerie #2421 in Vermillion, S.D., had a busy December,
donating a total of $2,000 to three different local organizations. The group presented
$1,000 to the Backpack Program in Vermillion which sends food home on Friday’s for
children that may not otherwise have a regular meal on the weekends. Checks for
$500 were also presented to the Vermillion Public Library and the Coats For Kids
program.
Tooele, Utah
Tooele, Utah, #164 was in the giving mood this holiday season, raising $890 for
local causes and helping less-fortunate children in the area have a memorable Christmas.
As part of the group’s Shop With A Solider project, 89 soldiers accompanied members
as they shopped for area children. Afterward, the soldiers helped prepare a meal
for the 53 children as well as Auxiliary members.
Spiro, Oklahoma
Members of Sunset Aerie and Auxiliary #3860 in Spiko, Okla., recently welcomed Grand
Worthy President Mel Fry to their Aerie. Mel was treated to a home-cooked meal by
a member and his wife before enjoying a baked potato bar and live entertainment
at the Aerie. The Sunset Eagles presented Mel with a check for $200 for the Robert
W. Hansen Diabetes Fund.
Pictured, l to r, are Madam President Yvonne Barnes, Fry, and Worthy President Kenny
Pipkins.
Kids Helping Kids
The Junior Order of Eagles is a club-within-a-club of the Fraternal Order of Eagles
designed to help instill a strong moral fiber in community youth.
Through the J.O.E., the Eagles will educate youth on the importance of teamwork,
respect, selflessness, patriotism and other values. Members will be encouraged to
set goals, become active in their schools and plan events to help aid neighbors
in need. The key to a successful J.O.E. club is having a sponsor willing to guide
the group to be productive and stay on task. The sponsor sets the tone and motivates
the club to reach success.
Your J.O.E. club could be the home to our future Grand Worthy President or Grand
Madam President!
If you currently do not have a J.O.E. club amended into your local Aerie’s By Laws
and wish to do so, please email membership@foe.com
for more information.
Christmas Special
Grand Madam President Gwen Stallkamp, left, and Grand Worthy President Mel Fry,
right, pose for a photo with Richard Weaver, center, Past Four Corners Regional
President and member of Las Cruces Aerie #4038 during a recent Children’s
Shopping Spree event in Hobbs, N.M.
Eagles: Making Christmas Brighter One Family at a Time
By Nancy Schlagheck
She arrived at the local Kmart in a pink coat two sizes too big, and a story that
would move the coldest of hearts. She was among more than 100 children flowing off
the yellow school buses in the dark hours of the early morning, each with a story
of their own.
Inside the store, an army of Santa’s elves – members of the Fraternal
Order of Eagles – awaited with shopping carts which would serve as private
sleighs for each of the youngsters. As we were paired up with our young charges,
we were on our way to fill the cart with Christmas wants and needs.
It was most certainly the needs that outweighed the wants. With $100 to spend, the
children headed out to find gifts for their siblings. My little one followed this
path – a game for her brother, some Lego blocks for another. Freshly 10 years
old, she delighted in the idea that her brothers would have Christmas gifts this
year.
As for Mom, well, that was easy. She said her Mom sent her off with instructions
not to buy her anything. “All I want for Christmas from you is a kiss and
a hug,” Mom told her. But the little girl wouldn’t settle for leaving
the store with nothing for Mom. She carefully selected a two-liter bottle of Diet
Coke – one with a pretty holiday label on it.
“My Mom drinks Diet Coke and a lot of beer,” the little one said. “I
keep telling her to stop drinking the beer. Maybe this will help.”
When she had finally completed her list, we discovered she still had a little money
left to spend. It was only then that she headed back to the toy aisle in search
of her gift – a small toy guitar. She comes from a family of budding musicians
– one brother plays the tuba, another the French horn. She wanted to join
them, maybe even form a band.
We headed for the cashier – an especially pleasant lady who was perfectly
matched to this unique Eagles Shopping Spree event. As the cashier scanned the items,
she talked about each and who it was for. The little girl excitedly shared her love
of her brothers and Mom. As the guitar was lifted from the cart, the little one
proudly explained that it was hers, that she was going to “learn to play pretty
quick and come back to play at this Kmart for charity this Christmas.”
It was in that moment that I felt the wetness well in my eyes. As a child I delighted
in the holiday classic about a Grinch who stole Christmas in the little town of
Whoville. And when this green being learned the true meaning of the holiday, his
small heart grew three sizes. Some 40 years later, I experienced quite the same.
I now understand what it feels like when your heart bursts with new growth, when
you find the true meaning of Christmas.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles made that possible for me. In this part of the country,
and across the jurisdiction, Eagles work tirelessly year-round to make life better
for countless individuals. There are unseen millions of dollars raised and spent
at the local level to positively impact people of all walks.
As a marketer and communicator at the Grand Aerie office, I often plow through the
day facing the burdens of deadlines and politics and operational issues. I have
now come to understand the true meaning of my work – of the work of all in
the Grand Aerie office. I have come to embrace the slogan “People Helping
People” in a way that was three days ago beyond my imagination.
Thank you – a heartfelt thank you – to Eagles everywhere who work with
determined dedication during the holiday season and every day of the year to make
the world a better place. I am more proud today than ever before to be a member
of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Without question, I will work with a renewed spirit
to shine a bright light on all you do to impact the lives of families, of communities,
of states and provinces across the jurisdiction.
I have just one request of you. If you happen into a Kmart, and find a little girl
strumming a toy guitar, make a donation. She’s working for charity, too. The
Fraternal Order of Eagles made that possible.
Editor’s Note: Nancy Schlagheck, Director of Marketing & Communications for
the F.O.E., returned this week from the shopping spree weekend in Hobbs and Clovis,
New Mexico, where thousands of dollars were spent to aid those in need. If you have
similar stories regarding the endless good works of Eagles everywhere, please share
them at marketing@foe.com or mail them to F.O.E. Marketing
Department, 1623 Gateway Circle South, Grove City, Ohio 43123. We are especially
interested in creating a list of all Shopping Sprees across the jurisdiction. If
your area hosts a spree – please let us know. Merry Christmas!
Ocean Shores Eagle Riders Spreads Christmas Cheer
A roaring thunder escaped tailpipe after tailpipe, replacing the sweet sound of
ringing bells synonymous with Christmas. Gone were the set of reindeer, supplanted
by a herd of mechanical hogs with their rubber feet ready to pull a seemingly endless
amount of goodies. This sleigh was anything but conventional, though the purpose
it served was one all the same. The Eagle Riders of North Beach Fraternal Order
of Eagles #4197 in Ocean Shores, Wash., were bringing a new look to Christmas.
For the third year in a row, the group organized a Christmas Ride to travel through
the city, dropping off gifts and food for community families in need.
“The satisfaction we all get from helping people during the Holidays makes
all the fundraising projects and work throughout the year worthwhile,” Charity
Chairman Chuck Hooper said.
Members of the Eagle Riders raised money during the year to ensure they could support
10 local families as part of the annual holiday event. Those plans changed less
than a week before toys and food were to be delivered as fire ravaged the home of
a local family, destroying their belongings and leaving them with little hope of
a proper Christmas.
The Eagle Riders group polled their members, unanimously agreeing to hold a last-minute
fundraiser to help the family as part of their holiday event.
“We took on an additional fundraising project and we raised enough money to
help this family,” Eagle Riders President Dennis Uecker said. “I am
very proud of our group and their efforts.”
More than 20 members spent the day prior to the event wrapping approximately 300
gifts. The next morning, the group’s Treasurer, Cindy Stutsman, and her husband,
Rick, picked up a van load of food for the families and led a pack of trucks, trailers
and motorcycles as they caravanned from one family to the next, spreading holiday
cheer throughout the community.
Grand Aerie Gives Back
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Grand Aerie Headquarters joined in the giving spirit
this holiday season, donating items to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank to help families in
need. Employees contributed enough for six large “Food 4 Kids” packs
designed to provide a meal, healthy snacks, beverages and personal care items for
a family of four. In addition, the Grand Aerie Headquarters donated a box of household
items, a box of additional food items and a box containing juice drinks for a total
of 306 pounds of items donated.
Coldwater, Michigan
Coldwater Aerie and Auxiliary #1907 in Coldwater, Mich., recently raised $1,140.06
for local scholarships by hosting a Feather Party event. Prizes included bags of
shrimp, turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving dinner. The event was emceed by Chris
Pavka and chaired by Johanna Hippensteel, PMP.
Republic, Washington
Republic, Wash., Aerie #68 recently held a free Thanksgiving dinner serving more
than 100 people and accepting donations and food bank items for those in need.
Alexandria, Virginia
The Eagles of Alva #871 in Alexandria, Va., recently held a Turkey Drive, raising
enough money to purchase 50 turkeys which were given to Christ Church to be donated
to families in need during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Fallon, Nevada
Fallon, Nev., #1447 held a Breakfast with Santa Claus event Saturday, Dec. 3, raising
$1,788 and collecting 10 boxes of food for the Wishing Tree and Food Basket.
Sweetwater, Wyoming
Sweetwater #2350 in Green River, Wyo., held their Annual Children’s Party
this month, raising more than $1,000 to purchase pajamas and treat bags for 120
children in need. Madam President Dottie Lacquement read ‘Twas The Night Before
Christmas to the children with Santa Claus arriving at the end to surprise the kids.
Independence, Missouri
Independence, Mo., #385 held their Children’s Christmas Party Sunday, Dec.
18, with Santa on hand to give out presents to the children in attendance. Members
served cookies and punch while the children enjoyed the spirit of the holiday season.
The Independence Eagle Riders held a holiday party of their own Saturday, Dec. 17,
with Santa handing out presents to kids in attendance while a live band entertained
the crowd. The Eagle Riders group raffled off a 32” LCD TV for charity.
Weeki Wachee, Florida
Weeki Wachee, Fla., Auxiliary #4372 adopted 13 families this holiday season. In
total, the families have 38 children. Each child will receive three gifts from their
wish lists and each selected family will be treated to a full Christmas dinner.
Viroqua, Wisconsin
Viroqua, Wisc., Aerie #2707 held their annual Kids Christmas Party earlier this
month with approximately 160 children ages 10 and under in attendance.
Bacliff, Texas
Mainland Eagles #3199 of Bacliff, Texas, held a day of fun and festivities Saturday,
Dec. 17. Santa showed up to hand out presents during the afternoon’s Christmas
party, while members held a White Elephant Party later in the evening. Members purchased
presents for local families in need and the Mainland Eagle Riders raffled off a
Harley Davidson wooden toddler rocker with proceeds benefiting the Autism Treatment
Center.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Cape Girardeau, Mo., Aerie #3775 got in the holiday spirit last weekend as members
gathered to fill and deliver 260 baskets of goods to 130 local families in need.
2011 marks the 30th consecutive year the Cape Girardeau Aerie has filled and distributed
Christmas baskets.
Medford, Oregon
Crater Lake Aerie #2093 of Medford, Ore., recently held a Christmas Dinner for area
families, serving ham, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans and pudding. Servers and
cooks dressed in holiday attire and Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance to give
out gifts and candy to those in attendance.