ORLANDO, FL – When the dollar amount was raised, there was a brief hush and then sustained applause.
Then the 6,000 attendees of the 2007 International Convention of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Women of the Moose 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 $421,120.10 – a sum that clearly touched the hearts of the four family members of Flight 93 victims in attendance at Monday afternoon’s session. The total represents the largest single donation by a non-profit 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 unique 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 has an ongoing $30 million fundraising project as it attempts to find the estimated $58 million for the memorial, which is scheduled to open Sept. 11, 2011 for the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
The Moose set about raising funds in two ways. One was the “93-for-93” fundraiser, through which members were asked to contribute $93 apiece 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.
A sum of $301,542.99 was raised through the 93-for-93 fundraiser. Of that, $18,580.21 came from Moose Legion units, $149,225.87 came from donations from Moose Lodges and $88,783.78 came from Women of the Moose chapters.
Baile reported sales of scarves and ties to be $119,578.11, though sales of both have been ongoing throughout the convention -- and that total has been increasing daily.
“It’s another case of Moose members coming through,” Baile said. “When you wonder how you’re going to come through, they find a way to amaze you.”
Baile said the display of scarves and ties was no surprise to him.
“If there’s one trait – outside of what the fraternity stands for – that hits members in the heart, it’s patriotism,” Baile said. “It would have been more of a shock if there weren’t more ties and scarves in the audience.”
The Moose fraternal organization founded and continues to support Mooseheart Child City & School, a 1,000-acre community and school for children and teens in need of a secure home, located just south of Batavia , IL , between Illinois Route 31 and Randall Road .
Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1.1 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization, in more than 1,900 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters located throughout the U.S. , Canada , Great Britain and Bermuda . Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.
Since its founding, Mooseheart has operated a complete, accredited kindergarten-through-high-school academic program, plus art, music, vocational training and interscholastic sports. It is an extremely nurturing and student-tailored program, with an average student-teacher ratio of 12-1.
Mooseheart students who complete their studies with a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0=A) are eligible for up to five years of annually renewable scholarship funding, covering tuition, room and board in an amount comparable to that required for an in-state student at an Illinois public university.
Mooseheart is currently home to nearly 250 students, ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Mooseheart boasts its own U.S. Post Office and a fully functioning branch of Fifth Third Bank.
In addition to Mooseheart, Moose International also supports Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville , FL founded in 1922; and conducts more than $90 million worth of community service programs annually.
Founded in 1888, the Moose organization has long offered its members an opportunity to do good for others while celebrating life, with family, social, and sporting activities. For more information on the Moose organization, visit the websites at www.Mooseintl.org and www.Mooseheart.org or call 630-966-2229. |
Jerry and Karen Bingham of Leesburg, FL, expressed their appreciation Monday afternoon to nearly 6,000 men and women of the Moose fraternal organization at the 2007 International Moose Convention in Orlando, as the Moose presented a check for $421,120 toward the National Park Service Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, PA. The Moose donation constitutes the largest single donation for the memorial by any American nonprofit organization. Jerry Bingham's son, Mark, 31, was one of the 40 passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 who died on Sept. 11, 2001 when that flight's passengers unified to fight terrorist hijackers, resulting in the crash of the aircraft into a field near Shankston, PA -- instead of into its intended target in central Washington, DC.
Jerry and Bea Guadagno of Ewing, NJ, expressed their appreciation Monday afternoon to nearly 6,000 men and women of the Moose fraternal organization at the 2007 International Moose Convention in Orlando, as the Moose presented a check for more than $421,120 toward the National Park Service Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, PA. The Moose donation constitutes the largest single donation for the memorial by any American nonprofit organization. The Guadagnos' son, Richard, 38, was one of the 40 passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 who died on Sept. 11, 2001 when that flight's passengers unified to fight terrorist hijackers, resulting in the crash of the aircraft into a field near Shankston, PA -- instead of into its intended target in central Washington, DC.
Joanne Hanley is the National Park Service Superintendent of the planned Flight 93 memorial in Somerset County. Monday afternooon in Orlando, Hanley expressed an emotional thank-you to nearly 6,000 men and women of the Moose fraternal organization at the 2007 International Moose Convention in Orlando, as the Moose presented a check for more than $421,120 toward the National Park Service Flight 93 Memorial in Somerset County, PA. The Moose donation constitutes the largest single donation for the memorial by any American nonprofit organization.
Shawn Baile (left), director of fraternal programs for Moose International, on Monday afternoon presented a check for $421,120 to Joanne Hanley of the National Park Service, who gratefully accepted this largest donation to date from any American nonprofit organization toward funding of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, PA. Hanley is the Superintendent of the Flight 93 National Memorial; she was joined at the 2007 International Moose Convention in Orlando -- attended by 6,000 members from all 50 states and four Canadian provinces -- by Jerry and Bea Guadagno and Jerry and Karen Bingham -- parents of Richard Guadagno and Mark Bingham, two men who died in the Flight 93 crash on Sept. 11, 2001.
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