> It’s a well-worn phrase that everything in Texas is larger than it is anywhere else in the U.S.--and sometimes the world.
Whether that’s a myth or not, it certainly held true that the Moose Legion reached some very Texas-sized achievements during its 41st International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference.
Attended by more than 700 Moose Legionnaires and their ladies, and centered around a “Barn Dance” theme, the Moose Legion received plenty to dance about when it counted the money raised for its 2007-09 project, which was to refurbish two electrical generators at the Mooseheart campus powerhouse.
The cost for the project is $200,000--and Moose Legion Director Shawn Baile said the goal was to raise the money over two years.
However, when all donations were counted at the November conference, more than $160,000 had already been raised--just four months after the fundraising drive had been announced at the International Convention!
Baile said electrical generator refurbishment isn’t the glitziest project tackled by the Moose Legion, but that ensuring power would continue to flow through the Child City was an obvious need.
“There are times when we would sometimes like to have our organization’s name on the highly glamorous projects,” Baile said. “That’s not always the case. There are things that still need to be done that are vital and that have to be done. That’s why we took it on. Obviously our members understood, or we wouldn’t be as far along as we are.”
Baile noted that such an accomplishment is typical of the Moose Legion and was one of the reasons the Texas meeting was special.
“A Moose Legion meeting’s extra special because these are the guys who go the extra mile,” Baile said. “That’s what the Moose Legion has always been about, and that is a tradition we are proud to carry on.”
Baile said the Conference was used to “clarify” a number of things as the Moose Legion moves through the calendar year.
Not discussed at the Conference, but close to Baile’s heart is enhancement of the Youth Awareness Program, a Moose Community Service program in which high schoolers give interactive “KidsTalks” presentations to very young children in an effort to help the children make smart decisions on the choices they’ll soon have to make, on drugs, alcohol and gangs.
“Each Moose Legion has been asked for a commitment of $.50 per member,” Baile said. “That would take in $35,000. Right now, we hand out three scholarships that total $12,000. We could hand out more scholarships to more people and give larger scholarships too.”
Additional funding of the scholarships was approved at the 2007 International Convention in Orlando.
“I think it’s going to be another feather in the cap,” Baile said. “For us to step forward and increase the visibility and participation in the program, I don’t see how we wouldn’t want to offer that opportunity. The Youth Awareness Program is one more chance for us to have a positive influence on society.”
Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference attendees took advantage of the event’s Barn Dance theme to do some mighty fine dancing to a country band. |
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Hampton Roads (VA) Moose Legion 199 topped all units in terms of donations to Moose Charities for 2006-07, totaling more than $6700, and the unit was honored at the International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference, held in November in Irving, TX. Above, from left are Moose Legion 199 Secretary Ike Burlingame, International Moose Legion President Bob Maxey and International Moose Legion Ambassador Steve Crawford.
Past International Moose Legion President Ralph West (center) received the Elite Legionnaire Ring for earning 100 Membership Units. Presenting the ring is Supreme Governor Gene Huggins, while Junior Past International Moose Legion President Artie Shaw congratulates West on his achievement.
Nick Grecco (fourth from right), Jerry Inserra (red shirt) and Seth Rothsten (second from right) delivered more than $6,000 on behalf of both New Jersey Moose Legion units during the March of Checks, which raised $83,468.
Supreme Governor Gene Huggins addresses the audience at this year’s International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference, held in November in Irving, TX.
Director General William B. Airey makes a point during a luncheon address to attendees at the International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference.
Moose Legion Junior Past International Moose Legion President Artie Shaw receives a portrait from Moose Legion Director Shawn Baile in honor of Shaw’s service as International Moose Legion President in 2006-07.
Moose Legion Director Shawn Baile and International Moose Legion President Bob Maxey hold certificates signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry that proclaim both to now be honorary Texans.
U.S. Army Capt. Mike Curtis (center) is flanked by parents Bonnie and Paul Curtis. Paul Curtis is a Moose Legion Councilman. Mike Curtis, who is stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX, was enrolled into the Moose Legion during the conference.
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