November/December/January 2005-2006


Community Service:


Moose Men and Women Band Together to Help Provide Relief for Hurricane Victims



From left are Lodge Governor Pete Alley, Salvation Army Major Sue Dorman, Lodge Administrator Danny Jacques; WOTM

> Thoughout North America, the compassionate men and women of the Moose fraternity have been doing what they can to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Members of Huntsville, AL Lodge 1007/Chapter 1255, for example, presented more than 2,000 bottles of water, canned goods and personal hygiene products to the Salvation Army to be distributed to the Gulf region or where the need is greatest.

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Jacksonville, Beach FL Lodge 1558/Chapter 1381 worked together to help out the victims of Hurricane Katrina by creating a dropoff site for water, canned goods and dry goods. During two weeks of operations from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, the Lodge shipped out more than seven tons of goods. Volunteers included front row, from left) Erica Ewying, Denny Thompson, project coordinator Mike Fitch, Jim Kutz and Jane Dulina. Back row: Shea Portes, Tom Smith, Louann Walters, David Fisher, Carmen Fitch and Andy Dulina.
Silver Spring, MD Lodge 658/Chapter 1160 volunteers worked long hours to collect food, water, hygiene supplies and toys to send off in a local trailer truck headed on its way to the New Orleans area to help provide relief to hurricane victims. Before the loading of trucks (above) the Lodge was filled with donations from generous men and women.


Albuquerque, NM Lodge 1517 Helps to Raise More than $13,000 for Young Cancer Patient
The Loyal Order of Moose and the Cub Scouts have a long-standing tradition of working together to help develop the character of future generations. Strongly supporting Scouting is Westminster, MD Lodge 1381/ Chapter 897, which hosted a Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet for several combined local Cub Scout Packs.

> After learning that Joshua Trujillo, the then-four-year-old grandson of Albuquerque, NM Lodge 1517 member Mike Trujillo was diagnosed with cancer, the Lodge and Chapter 1266 members decided to help all they could-- holding several fundraisers, including a golf tournament which raised more than $8,000 for Joshua. Shortly after, a bank trust account was opened in Joshua’s name. So far, the donations have exceeded $13,000! Lodge members had another fundraiser scheduled for October and plan to hold cancer fundraisers every year to help Joshua (now six) and other children. At left, Joshua was thrilled to “drive” one of the golf carts which were on hand at the tournament in his honor.

Newport, VA Lodge 1119/Chapter 213 collected more than $43,000 in toys for underprivileged kids in the Toys for Tots program last Christmas. The program, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps, distributes the toys to needy children selected by local social-service agencies. This is an annual event sponsored by the Lodge. Newport 1119 Toys for Tots Committee Chairman Karl Sharp (at lectern) presented the toys to the grateful Marines.
Communities Across the Continent Continue to Appreciate our Fraternity’s Donations of Tommy and Donny Moose Dolls!

Fairbanks, AK Lodge 1392/Chapter 912 Jr. Past Governor William Kothe (left) presented two dozen Tommy Moose dolls to Fairbanks Fire Chief Warren Cummings (a member of Fairbanks Lodge and former Regional Director for Moose International). The Fire Department issued a news release to local media indicating how helpful the Tommy Moose dolls are in calming children in traumatic situations. To order Tommy or Donny Moose, phone 630/966-2250.



San Jose, CA Chapter 1579 presented a dozen Donny Moose to the children’s trauma unit at Good Samaritan Hospital. From left are Star Recorder Norma Green, Co-workers Jen Dillon and Eula Forbes, Past Deputy Grand Regent Pat Adams, hospital staffer Christine Roberts and Star Recorder Hope Diffenderfer.
Lake Havasu City, AZ Chapter 1608 brightened the day for several Alzheimer’s patients at Havasu Nursing Center, with presentations of Donny Moose dolls to the grateful women.


Another Work-, Fun-Filled Yellowstone Summer For Moose Youth at YCC


Mooseheart student and YCC Youth Leader Nic Grasty, along with participants Preston Eckerdt (Powell, WY), Keaton Welch (Magaila, CA), Katie Reichard (Clear Spring, MD) and Christine Cummings (Granger, IN). Although it is no picnic, students cherish the experience. Inset: 2001 Mooseheart grad Genie Bostrom, who has spent two summers working as an adult leader since her graduation.

> For the 15th straight year, Mooseheart students headed to Yellowstone National Park this past summer to join the Youth Conservation Corps, working tirelessly for long hours and bonding with new friends from across the country.

From Mooseheart, twins Brandon and Braxton Bouck (Pahrump, NV Lodge 808), Amanda Condon (El Monte, CA Lodge 109), Jonathan Alberts (Aurora, IL Lodge 400) and returning for second summer as a Youth Leader, Nic Grasty (Hillsborough, NC Lodge 1893) joined about 30 other high-school age students from June 9 to Aug. 8. Among them from Moose families were Scott Orazi (Millville, NJ Lodge 2488), Kylie McCaffery (Portland, IN Chapter 374), Daniela Garcia (Sioux Land, NE Lodge 2411)

The students spent most of their eight weeks working on such projects as construction of bridges, restoring log cabins and trail rehabilitation, all under adult supervision.

“It was a great experience to meet different kids and to be able to go hiking, whitewater rafting, hiking and see wild animals up close,” Braxton Bouck said. But, the Bouck brothers and Condon all agreed that the trip is not easy, and is especially tough coming from the “city life.”

But would they do it again? All answered with a resounding “yes!”

In fact, 2001 Mooseheart graduate Genie Bostrom, who spent two student summers at YCC, has spent two more summers working as a YCC adult leader. At first, Bostrom signed up because she thought it would look good on a resume. But after arriving at Yellowstone, she fell in love with the beauty of this American treasure.

Bostrom is hoping to ultimately work full-time at Yellowstone or another national park. She always tries to spread the word about the YCC program, which she believes is one of the finest programs offered by the Moose.

The Moose fraternity became involved in YCC in 1988, shortly after huge fires swept through Yellowstone, destroying numerous visitor facilities. Seeking a way to help in repairing the damage, the fraternity worked with the National Park Service to establish the Yellowstone Youth Fund which since 1990 has fully underwritten the approximate $135,000 annual cost of YCC, which receives no funding from the federal budget.

Mooseheart students have been a part of YCC every year since 1991; they must apply and are selected by Superintendent of Education Gary Urwiler.


2001 Mooseheart grad Genie Bostrom, who has spent two summers working as an adult leader since her graduation.


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