Centennial Memory #98: PA DeMolay Supports the Children's Dyslexia Centers

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

For many years now, members of PA DeMolay have been accustomed to the State Charity being the Children’s Dyslexia Centers, sponsored by the Scottish Rite. When did this start? Here is a little backstory of our history with the Learning Centers.

The Children’s Dyslexia Centers officially became the State Charity at the PA DeMolay Convention in 1999. Starting in 2000, the State Sweetheart has taken on the responsibility of working closely with the State Charity, helping to make the Chapters aware of the Dyslexia Centers and helping motivate the Chapters to donate. Here is a list of some of the known fundraisers that have taken place to benefit the Dyslexia Centers:

• PA DeMolay Sweatshirt sales
• “Not just a Fraternity..but a way of life” T-Shirt sales
• Bake Sales
• Penny Wars
• Soda Can and Soda Tab Collection
• Spaghetti Dinners
• Chicken Pot Pie Dinners
• Sub Sandwich sales
• Charity Poker Tournament
• Raffles and Door Prizes
• Dodgeball for Dyslexia

These are just some of the fundraisers that have taken place over the years. One thing that Chapters were encouraged to do was create a fundraiser for Frank S. Land Memorial Day, with the proceeds going to the State Charity. Chapters still do this to date, and are encouraged to be inventive when thinking of ideas. Some Chapters also do more than just raise money; they participate in walks to help bring awareness to the cause, and even visit their local center. A few PA DeMolays have been a product of the Children’s Dyslexia Centers, making them even more a meaningful cause for our youth.

 

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Meet the Candidates: Mary Lichtenwalner for State Sweetheart

Convention is just around the corner, so lets take a few minutes to meet the candidates for Elected State Office. Members will get the chance to elect their officers during the Business Session the Saturday morning of Convention. They were all asked to provide a biography and an answer to the three questions below.

Hello members of Pennsylvania DeMolay. My name is Mary Lichtenwalner and I am the current Chapter Sweetheart for Carlisle Chapter, running for the office of State Sweetheart. I will be a Senior at Central Dauphin High School in the fall, where I am a member of the National Honor Society and the school band. In Marching Band, I have been a Co-Section Leader for two years. In Concert Band, I am the 12th Grade Representative and Section

Leader. I am a member of Job's Daughters International, having served as Bethel Honored Queen for Bethel #19 in Mechanicsburg. I am also the current Grand Bethel Guide for Job's Daughters in Pennsylvania.

Why do you want to become State Sweetheart for Pennsylvania DeMolay?

I want to become State Sweetheart because I have enjoyed working with all of the young men I have met to promote the State Charity. I have also loved learning and educating myself on dyslexia and how the Dyslexia Centers tutor students to help them better their quality of life. 

What do you know about the Children's Dyslexia Center?

The Shriners helped to open the Children's Dyslexia Center in 1994 with the Massachusetts General Hospital. These Masons pledged to assist children with dyslexia to learn how to improve their reading levels and how to reach their full potential. Another promise made was to assist these families to help end the frustration, guilt and disruption that may be caused by dyslexia and to assist communities to develop more Children's Dyslexia Centers to help students inside and outside of school. The Dyslexia Center uses a personalized approach for each student that they tutor. The tutors will start with one concept and make sure that the student understands why they need to know the skill, when it will be used, how it will be used, how it is performed and what the skill is actually doing for them. The tutor will not move onto the next lesson until the student understands everything. 

Although you cannot fund-raise on your own, what fundraising ideas could you bring if a chapter asked you for new ideas?

A Chapter can organize raffles and raise money by selling tickets at meetings and to the Masonic Community. Another idea would be to hold a competition between two concepts or between DeMolay members. The voting could take place by either tickets or change, depending on how the chapter wants to organize it. Chapters could also use fundraisers such as movie nights or bake sales in the community, to promote membership as well as service.  

     

Bake Sale for Charity

Since our Jaquestoberefest celebration is only a few weeks away already, we are asking for baked good donations to sell at our weekend. Everything will be from $0.25 to $2.00, so bring your change to Patton. Anyone, including DeMolay and advisors, can bring baked goods ranging from cookies, brownies, cupcakes, muffins, breads, etc. We ask that each baked good is labeled with what it is, who brought it, and a list of ingredients so customers are notified for allergy purposes. I will be at registration when everyone arrives on Friday to collect the delicious donations.

All of the proceeds from this bake sale will benefit our state charity, the Children’s Dyslexia Centers of Pennsylvania. Our goal for the year is to go above and beyond just raising the $6,000 to donate and sponsor a child, we want to spread awareness for this great cause and have 100% chapter participation in our programs. As of September 30th, we have raised over $700 already and have had two chapters donate! Great job guys, and keep up the great work!

Also, keep a look out for any charity events or fundraiser’s happening around the state like the two very successful Children’s Dyslexia Walk/5K’s recently held in the Pittsburgh and Allentown regions. If your chapter has a fundraiser happening soon, let us know and we can help promote it!

Additionally, if your chapter is having difficulty coming up with ideas, email our Sate Sweetheart at pa.statesweetheart@gmail.com and we’ll work with your chapter on ideas and execution as well. You can also email us with any questions you might have on our fundraising programs, charity, and upcoming events.

This post was written by PA DeMolay's State Sweetheart, Miss Caitlin Gresham. Thank you Caitlin for your contribution to the blog, and to the members of PA DeMolay please continue to support the Children's Dyslexia Centers. 

Meet the Candidates: Caitlin Gresham

Convention is right around the corner, which means it will be time to vote for PA DeMolay's Elected State Officers. This series will introduce you to each candidate as they prepare to run for office. This time, we take a look at our State Sweetheart Candidates. They were asked for a biography and an answer to the following questions on their application. Here are their responses.

Hello Pennsylvania DeMolay. My name is Caitlin Gresham and I am running for State Sweetheart. I am a former Chapter Sweetheart of Steel City Chapter and will be representing Templar Chapter going into Convention. This September I will be a Freshman at Elizabethtown College where I will be studying Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I currently work for Sewickley Confectionery. I am a member of Rainbow, having served as Worthy Advisor for by home Assembly, as well as the Grand Representative for West Virginia and Missouri. I am also an active candidate for the Grand Cross of Color. Along with my many years in the Masonic Youth Groups, I have also been in the Girl Scouts of America, part of the Quaker Valley Key Club and a volunteer with World Vision. In my free time, I enjoy playing softball, volleyball, tennis and cheering for my school. 

Why do you want to become the State Sweetheart of Pennsylvania DeMolay?

I believe that I can broaden my horizons in terms of service and fellowship, while also connecting and making bonds with people from across this state and potentially the nation. With my background in Rainbow and DeMolay, I have an appreciation for all Masonic bodies, however, I think we can all learn more about what we stand for and the way of life that we all believe in. I also want to help strengthen the bonds between masonic youth through various fun and educational activities while also doing more bonding on a deeper level with people that I would not normally get to spend time with. I strongly believe in the great work that we are all capable of and I want to be one of the role models that younger brothers and sisters can come to for help and guidance. When I first joined, I looked up to the youth leaders so much and I would love to be that person to someone else, while also improving myself. This opportunity to work with these young men will open up so many doors for success in my life and theirs as well. 

Although you cannot fund-raise on your own, what fundraising ideas could you bring if a chapter asked you for new ideas?

Many families have loose change lying around their house, sitting in piggy banks, or in wallets that will not be used any time soon. We could do Penny Wars between chapters across the state. We can have a fundraising race between the chapters, and whoever wins by having the most money raised can have a pizza party. We could do a pie throwing contest at a DeMolay weekend and the boys can bring in money to vote for which Elected State Officer they want pied in the face. They could do a spaghetti dinner, blood drive, pancake breakfast, car washes, 50/50 raffles, hoagie/sandwich sales, selling candy bars, carnivals, bake sale, booths at fairs, autumn days, etc. anything of that fashion usually works well.   

What do you know about the Children's Dyslexia Center?

I know that the Children's Dyslexia Center helps children all across the United States who have been diagnosed with Dyslexia. It is a Scottish Rite Charity which is Masonic affiliated and it is found in 13 states, including Pennsylvania, which has eight centers total. They offer services such as tutoring to families free of charge. They have changed the lives of over 1,200 children. The money we raise in DeMolay goes towards helping and improving the lives of many kids who are in need. They have a comprehensive one-on-one program that can be as long as three years, depending on the needs of the student. It costs roughly $6,000 per year to help one child, and with all of our contributions we have helped so many kids, and we will continue to help for as long as possible. 

Meet the Candidates: Mary Lichtenwalner

Convention is right around the corner, which means it will be time to vote for PA DeMolay's Elected State Officers. This series will introduce you to each candidate as they prepare to run for office. This time, we take a look at our State Sweetheart Candidates. They were asked for a biography and an answer to the following questions on their application. Here are their responses.

Hello members of Pennsylvania DeMolay. My name is Mary Lichtenwalner and I am representing Carlisle Chapter Order of DeMolay. I will be a Junior at Central Dauphin High School. I am a member of the marching band, concert band, color guard and choir. As of May 3rd, I am also a part of the National Honor Society. I work for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, exclusively at Hershey Park. I am a member of Job's Daughters, having served as Grand Senior Custodian and recently installed as Senior Princess.

Why do you want to become the State Sweetheart of Pennsylvania DeMolay?

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a Chapter Sweetheart for Carlisle Chapter. I also have a friend who has received help from the Children's Dyslexia Centers. Combining my respect for DeMolay and my belief in the work of the Dyslexia Centers is the perfect way to further represent DeMolay as the State Sweetheart. 

Although you cannot fund-raise on your own, what fundraising ideas could you bring if a chapter asked you for new ideas?

A few of the ideas I would be able to come up with include holding a Chinese Auction, movie nights, raffles and even finding a local restaurant that will allow a fundraiser to take place such as Friendly's or Applebees. 

What do you know about the Children's Dyslexia Center?

It was founded by J. Phillip Berquist (a Freemason) with the help of local Freemasons and the Reading Disabilities Unit from Massachusetts General Hospital. It offers tutoring for any age, economical status or whether they have a Masonic relationship or not.