| At Missouri's Supreme Visit in April, we presented Andy Rotter with a HIKE Award. Doc Howe,
Eastern MO HIKE Coordinator, invited our HIKE Recipient to join us for the Lincoln-Truman
HIKE at the Old Chain of Rock's Bridge. Andy's family had previous plans and could not attend
but this didn't stop Andy from showing his appreciation by getting donations. How pleased we
were to received a pledge sheet and $208 in donations. Below is a note from the family
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"Dr. Howe, Thank you so much A hope this will help one child in a big way."
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Delaware HIKE Presentation June 11
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| At the Grand Lodge Day Picnic at the Masonic Home of Delaware on June 11, 2005, Miss Congeniality Jamie, Miss Jr. Jobie Carrie along with the JG Debbie and AJG Jim represented a HIKE award to 5 year old Rachel Valentine Seiverd. There were 15 other Jobies in attendance including the Grand Bethel Representative to Delaware from California Stephanie, and the Grand Master of Masons in Delaware. Rachel was accompanied by her parents and her brother. Rachel's Dad Greg made remarks (attached). He was very emotional as he unfolded his speech and began to read. The family is so grateful for the generosity of a group that did not know them nor that they were affiliated with prior to this occurrence. A chance conversation between Delaware's AJG Jim and Greg at work one day led to this partnership. Since that moment a deep bond has been forged that will continue to be strengthened as these hearing aids make a huge difference for a sweet young girl and her family. (See newspaper article) |
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following remarks were given by Rachel's father Greg.
My family and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for all the effort you put forth in making it possible for children with hearing disabilities to obtain the devices they need to enable them to hear even the littlest things most of us take for granted. We will never forget the day Rachel received her hearing aids. When the audiologist placed them in her ears he asked her how they felt. After responding "good" she turned to her mother and said in disbelief, "Mommy, I can hear myself talking!" It is because of that miraculous day my wife and I would like to express our profound gratitude to all of you who made that moment possible. First and foremost we would like to thank Jim and Debbie Watson for introducing us to the HIKE Fund and granting us the opportunity to apply for assistance. Unfortunately our insurance companies and carriers are ignorant to the fact that non-coverage for hearing devices for children with hearing disabilities could greatly impact their educational future. Secondly, we would like to thank all of the children who participated in raising the money so that Rachel's hearing aids could be purchased and she could become comfortable with them before beginning Kindergarten in the upcoming school year. You have worked very hard in raising those funds and we want you to know how much respect and admiration we have for all of the hard work you have put forth for our children. You are truly angels sent from heaven!!! Lastly, we would like to thank all the people behind the scenes that make the HIKE Fund such a special organization. You should be proud of yourselves for the wonderful work you are doing to help all children with hearing disabilities. Hopefully, with the help from all of you, there will always be another child that will "hear themselves talk" for the very first time.
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Delaware HIKE Presentation June 2005
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| On Saturday, June 25, 2005, at the home of Gabriella Ciriaco in Bear, DE, 2 year old Gabriella was presented with a Hike check. The presentation was made by Miss Delaware Congeniality Jamie along with the Jurisdictional Guardian Debbie and Associate Jurisdictional Guardian Jim. It was done at the family's home because her mother was recuperating after having their second child on June 19 |
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Massachusetts July 2005 |
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| On July 21, 2005, 12-year old Jacob Droogan was fit with his new hearing aids at the Umass Memorial Rehab Group. The hearing aids were made possible by his gift received from The HIKE Fund. As you can see in the pictures of Jacob, he is extremely happy! A Thank You note from Jacob says "Thank you very much for granting us money to buy my hearings aids. I like them and I can hear better with them." His mother adds "What a big difference Jacob's new hearing aids have made. We greatly appreciate your generosity." | |
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The following thank you was received from the Glass Family, Denver, CO. "Dear Girls of Hike, I would like to say thank you very much. Lasean is enjoying his new hearing aids and we the parents can see a big difference. I cannot thank you and the Hike Foundation enough for helping us pay for his hearing aids. Now he is set and can enjoy his hearing aids worry free and hear and learn at this best. Thank you, The Glass Family. Keep up the good work!"
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Seventeen year old Max Yaran received funds for digital hearing aids through the
audiologist in Waterloo, NY. His mother says it has made all their lives more enjoyable
now that Max is hearing so much better.
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Prior to a regular Bethel meeting held on May 3, 2005,
members of Bethel #53 of Richmond, VA presented HIKE awards to 3 year old
Karah Johnson, Margaret Brennan, 7 years old, and John Marion, 7 years
old. The children received gifts from the Bethel and were served
refreshments. |
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COLORADO Presents Three July 2005 On July 9, the Colorado HIKE Choir gathered at Clement
Park, Littleton, CO, not far from the Columbine Memorial to present HIKE
awards to three children. The Choir did a short sign language to music
program for the three recipients, Matthew M. 10 years old, Ryan H. 6 years
old, and 4-year old Logan A., and their families. Clement Park is a very
busy park and many passers by stopped to enjoy the presentation.
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The following thank you was received from two recipients of HIKE awards. "On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for the money you have donated for us for our new hearing aids. You would have no idea how much this means to us because receiving all these gifts, it would really make a big difference in our lives and in our hearing. We are eternally grateful for what you have done because now our everyday lives will be improved. We are very excited to be getting our new hearing aids. It is going to make a really big change in school and outside in our lives. We are probably going to feel more comfortable with the new hearing aids. Thank you for everything and God bless you all. Sincerely, Mark and Dara"
The following thank you was received from the parents of these two recipients of HIKE awards: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank you so much for your assistance regarding the checks that we received for our children, Daralyn and Mark. We don't know if the word thank you is even enough to say how grateful we are and how much we appreciate it. Both of our children were very excited with their new hearing aids. As a matter of fact we just got their hearing aids last month at The Children's Hospital, and they really liked it. Thank you again. Sincerely, Mario and Gloria T."
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On Friday, May 27, 2005. a HIKE presentation was made to 11 year old Kieran
Connelly. The presentation was made just prior to the regular meeting of
Bethel #12 of St. Louis, Missouri. Kieran was accompanied by his
parents, Gerald and Theresa, as well as his sister and younger brother. On
hand for the presentation were Eastern Missouri HIKE Daughter Coordinator
Daniella B., PHQ, Miss Missouri Job's Daughter, and Dr. Albert Howe,
PASG, HIKE Board Member. The check was presented to Keiran by the
ranking officer of Bethel #12, Appara M., Guide. Kieran and his family
thanked all the Daughters. Pictures were taken and the family was excused.
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 Kieran with his Mom and Dad |
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Coping with kids' hearing
deficiencies |
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Photo by News Journal/CARLA VARISCO Gregory Seiverd Jr, 8 and his sister Rachel, 4, sit near the television to listen to "SpongeBob SquarePants" |
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As another episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants" plays out, Gregory Seiverd and his sister, Rachel, sit two feet from the television screen. It's the only way they can hear the program. Gregory, 8, and Rachel, 4, have a 60 percent hearing loss in each ear, a congenital condition caused by heredity or infections during pregnancy. Hearing aids help the children become attuned to the world around them. But the cost of paying for the devices has an impact on their parents, Stephanie and Gregory Seiverd Sr., of New Castle. The family's health insurance doesn't cover the expense. In addition to $1,500 for a hearing aid for each ear, there are also $13 batteries, which must be replaced every two weeks. And as the children grow, they will need new hearing aids. So far, Gregory's hearing supplies have run about $3,200. The family was able to pay for Rachel's hearing aids with the help of Job's Daughters of Delaware, which recently presented the Seiverds with a $2,500 check. The organization's philanthropic project, the Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment Fund, helps finance the purchase of hearing aids for children. "If they have a hearing impairment, it does impair their ability to learn," said Debbie Watson, head of Job's Daughters of Delaware. "We want to help people learn." Rachel was the third Delawarean to receive the money. "Here was a fund that we knew nothing about," said Gregory Seiverd Sr., who also is hearing-impaired. "We spent all our savings on Gregory, so the HIKE fund was awesome." The Seiverds didn't find out that Gregory Jr. was hearing-impaired until 2003. A year later, they received the same news about Rachel. Until then, the Seiverds were unaware of the hearing loss since the children passed the test administered to newborns in Delaware. The test measures the acoustic response produced by the inner ear. The children's hearing loss is related to background noise, Stephanie Seiverd explained. Gregory learned to adapt. He would focus on his parents' mouths to understand what they were saying. "I just always thought that to hear someone, I had to see their lips move," he said. The children's diagnosis affects the family's lives in subtle ways. Background noise -- from traffic and music to human chatter -- makes it difficult for the children to hear someone speaking to them. When their parents need to talk to them, they must eliminate the distracting sounds. For example, if the children are upstairs in their bedrooms and dinner is ready, Stephanie Seiverd can't just call them from the stairwell. She has to go to their rooms. "It takes a lot of getting used to," Seiverd said. "I'm used to talking to anybody without looking at them, but to talk to my children, we have to be looking at them, acknowledging them." About 1 in 3,000 children have severe hearing loss in America, said Dr. Robert Witt, of Delaware Ear, Nose & Throat-Head & Neck Surgery, in Newark and Wilmington, who treated the children. He said Gregory Jr. and Rachel's hearing probably won't improve. "You can't predict it," he added. Once the children were fitted with hearing aids, they were often startled by the sounds around them. The first time Gregory heard rain, he thought the droplets were missing his umbrella and splashing onto his hearing aid. "I didn't know it was the sound of the rain hitting the umbrella because I never heard it before," he said. "Now I can hear that, and I can hear the wind when I open up the window in the car." Their mother said she used to take natural sounds for granted. "I'm more conscious now," she said. "When I hear certain things now, I'll ask them about it. And now that they have the hearing aids, they're able to hear the things that I hear." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To
view the newspaper article on-line click here: |
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On April 13, 2005, at a regular meeting of Bethel #31, Beatrice, NE,
Honored Queen Carrie and Daughter HIKE Coordinator Megan made a HIKE
presentation to 12 year old Vanessa. Vanessa's Mom, Dad and brother,
Grand Guardian Judy, and members of Bethel #31 were present for the
presentation. |
08/02/2007
