August/September/October 2007


Feature Articles:


We Give $421K to Flight 93 Memorial!

Contributions, tie/scarf sales amass largest total from any U.S. nonprofit


Jerry and Bea Guadagno, parents of Flight 93 victim Rich Guadagno, thank the audience at the Rosen Centre at Monday’s Joint General Session. The source for their thanks is shown below, a breakdown of the $421,121 raised by Moose members in support of the Flight 93 Memorial to be built by 2011.

> When the dollar amount was announced there was a brief hush--and then sustained applause.

Then, more than 4,000 attendees at Monday’s Joint General Session at the Rosen Centre Grand Ballroom rose as one to celebrate their achievement in raising funds in support of the Flight 93 National Memorial.

The amount announced by Moose International Director of Fraternal Programs Shawn Baile was $421,121.10 – a sum that clearly moved the four family members of two United Flight 93 victims from Sept. 11, 2001, in attendance at the afternoon session, along with National Park Service Supt. Joanne Hanley. The total represents the largest single donation by any North American nonprofit organization to the ongoing memorial funding effort.

“We suffered the loss of our son, who was a great, great individual,” said Jerry Guadagno, father of Flight 93 victim Rich Guadagno. “This is a long, long journey and I don’t know how we would make it through without people like you. Thanks so much.”

Guadagno’s wife, Bea Guadagno, said, “Thank you. This will help keep his memory and all those on board Flight 93 forever alive.”

Jerry Bingham, father of Flight 93 victim Mark Bingham--and a member of Leesburg, VA Moose Lodge No. 1271-- had a different perspective on the year-long fundraising project.

“I’ve always known the importance of being a member,” Bingham said. “I think we’re the best-kept secret in the United States. I’m overwhelmed that everyone has come and given in support of the 40 heroes that died that day. This (memorial) will be a reality for all of us here. It shows how people can come together, like they did on Flight 93, and how these people here came together to show what they could accomplish.”

Bingham’s wife and Mark Bingham’s stepmother was also in attendance at Monday's presentation.

The Flight 93 Memorial Project is an ongoing $30 million fundraising effort as it attempts to find the estimated $58 million for the Memorial, which, it is hoped, will open in Somerset County, PA, on Sept. 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. in which the 40 passengers of Flight 93 thwarted the terrorist plot to crash the plane into central Washington, DC.

The Moose raised funds in two ways. One was the “93-for-93” fundraiser, through which each Lodge, Chapter and Moose Legion was asked to give $93 to Moose Charities on behalf of the memorial project. A second project involved sale of specially-designed Flight 93 ties and scarves with proceeds also flowing toward the memorial project.

Some $301,542.99 was raised through the 93-for-93 fundraiser.

Baile reported sales of scarves and ties to be $119,578.11.

“It’s another case of Moose members coming through,” Baile said.


119th International
Convention

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Moose International Director of Fraternal Programs Shawn Baile (from left) and Flight 93 Project Superintendent Joanne Hanley are joined on stage by four family members of Flight 93 victims in a formal presentation of the funds raised by Moose members toward the project. The family members are, from left, Jerry Guadagno, Bea Guadagno, Karen Bingham and Jerry Bingham.



Moose Fully-Fund Yellowstone YCC’07: $208K


Director of Fraternal Programs Shawn Baile presents National Park Service Ranger Steve Sarles with a $208,000 check to fully fund the Youth Conservation Corps program at Yellowstone National Park.

> For 20 years, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Women of the Moose have taken the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps to their hearts.

The YCC program in America’s premier national park, is again fully-funded, thanks to the generosity of the Moose. Moose International Director of Fraternal Programs Shawn Baile presented the YCC Program Manager, Ranger Steve Sarles, with a check for $208,000 during Monday’s Joint General Session at the Rosen Centre.

The money raised by the Moose will enable the program to continue for a 20th consecutive year. Every year, roughly 30 young people travel to Yellowstone, where they learn about better stewardship of the earth while performing work projects that help keep the park in good shape.

Of the 30 enrollees each summer, four come from Mooseheart and three more from Moose families.





Andrew Neatrour, of Winchester, VA, (right) is assisted by Moose International Director of Fraternal Programs Shawn Baile as Neatrour summarizes his Moose KidsTalks presentation to the crowd at the Rosen Centre ballroom during Monday’s Joint General Session. Neatrour’s presentation, which involved him portraying a pirate in an interactive discussion with children, was the winning presentation at this year’s Moose International Student Congress, which was held in May in Harrisburg, Pa. Neatrour won a $7,000 college scholarship for his efforts.