Connecticut HIKE Presentation

Submitted by Janice A. Howard, M.A., CCC-A

 A HIKE Award was presented to Julia Kalizewski for binaural hearing aids.  The presentation took place in August 2008 at the Hearing, Balance, and Speech Center in Hamden, Connecticut.  Julia was fit prior to the start of the school year so that she would not be at disadvantage academically.  She has adapted beautifully and wars them everyday with no problems.  Her report card was excellent and the teachers are very pleased with her attentiveness.

Your generous donation has significantly helped this family.  The Kalizewshi’s and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Florida HIKE Presentation

Submitted by Kimberly Meguiar, PHQ, PMFJD
Florida HIKE Coordinator

Rachel Wilson was presented a HIKE award check on January 28, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida.  There are no Bethel’s in the Jacksonville area so the check was mailed to the doctor’s office, where photos were taken.

 The following is the Thank You note form Rachel’s mother Karen.

"This letter is to thank you for your generous contribution to assist my daughter with the purchase of hearing aides.  Rachel has been hearing impaired since birth.   She also suffers from other medical problems.  At one point, all of her medical needs were provided by Medicaid, however we lost that coverage three years ago as a result of an increase in my income.  Since then, with the co-pays and deductibles from my present insurance company, it has been very difficult to attend to all Rachel’s needs. 

She has needed a new pair of hearing aides for three years now.  Although she is impaired in both ears, she has had to rely on one hearing aid because the second one was broken and I did not have the money to replace it.  Since receiving her new hearing aids, her confidence has improved and she smiles more often.  Most of all, she does not have to ask for others to repeat things. 

Ohio HIKE Presentation May 18, 2009

Submitted by Celeste Prince and Linda Davies, BG
Bethel #45 Ohio

 Teresa Warren, age 2, was presented a HIKE award check on May 18, 2009 at Avery Lodge where Bethel #45 meets.  The check was presented by Honored Queen Amanda Heyder and Senior Princess and Daughter HIKE Coordinator Celeste Prince.  The check was presented prior to the Bethel meeting.  All the members of the Bethel participated in the ceremony and met with the family before and after the ceremony. 

Ohio HIKE Presentation 8/29/08

Submitted by Diana Tinker, Ohio HIKE Coordinator

 Brittany Grady was given a HIKE award check on August 29, 2008 in Whitehouse, Ohio.  The following thank you letter was written to HIKE from Brittany:

Dear HIKE Fund,

Thank you so very much for the tremendous gift to help pay for my hearing aides.  I appreciate it very much.  At just 2 weeks old, I was diagnosed with a rare condition called Hemangeoma.  Hemangeoma is a rare form of a blood disorder and it took over the whole right side of my head.  Between the ages of 4 weeks and 7 years old, I had between 15 and 20 surgeries.  Due to the surgeries, I went 95% deaf in each ear.  Since then I have regained 45% in each ear.  I now have 50% in each ear and will probably not regain anymore. My right side of my head has healed wonderfully and I have had a normal life ever since.  I will be graduating senior of Anthony Wayne High School and have been on the Girls Golf team for 4 years now.   Your donation means a lot to me and I hope that you continue to help other families as you did for me.  Thanks again so much.  
Truly Thankful, Brittany L. Grady

We have had many obstacles to overcome since Brittany was born.  From surgeries, procedures, doctor visit and speech therapy to even public comments.  All have made her a very strong, thoughtful and compassionate young lady.  This is a wonderful gift you have given us and Thank You  is such a little expression for this Blessing.  Debbie and Jeff Moosman

Ohio HIKE Presentation 9/21/08

Submitted by Diana Tinker, State HIKE Coordinator

  A HIKE award check was mailed to Mitchell Rosebrock on September 21, 2008.  Since there is not a Bethel near Napoleon, the check was mailed to the family. The pictures of Mitchell were mailed to the State HIKE Coordinator and the following thank you note was received:

I cannot thank you enough for this grant money.  We cannot afford it right now, but someday we would like to give back to your foundation.  Thank you again for giving our son the gift of hearing.  Thank you so much, Brad, Sarah, and Mitchell Rosebrock

Ohio HIKE Presentation 11/1/08

Submitted by Diana Tinker, State HIKE Coordinator

Autumn Lahman was presented a HIKE award check on November 1, 2008 in Ravena, Ohio.  

The following is her thank you note:

To all the Job’s Daughters who worked to hard to bless our family.  We are looking forward to Autumn having the FM Device – it is ordered and on the way. 
Thank you so much!! The Lahman Family

Oregon HIKE Presentation 4/6/09

Article Submitted by Monica McManamon – Oregon State Coordinator

 On April 6, 2009 HIKE recipient Isabel Kurtz, who is 18 months old, received a HIKE Award Check. The presentation ceremony was held at Friendship Masonic Center in Portland, Oregon. The presentation was made by Daughter HIKE Coordinator Kristi Frazier, HQ and GBHQ elect from Bethel #1 and Monica McManamon State HIKE Coordinator along with members of Bethel #1. Isabel was joined by her parent’s Benjamin and Pamela Kurtz.  The check presented was in the amount of $3,271.00. 

The Job’s Daughters in Oregon raise money in various ways throughout the year, and recently the Oregon Jobies held a Mall Crawl in Eugene, Oregon and raised $1,400.00.

Mid-America HIKE

Hosted by Missouri Job’s Daughters
Article Submitted by Claudia Hauser, Iowa HIKE Coordinator

On May 2, the Missouri Job’s Daughters hosted the Mid-America HIKE in Weldon, Missouri.  Daughters and Adults from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa were in attendance.   A carnival theme, with games and prizes was the theme.  Everyone met, registered and prepared for the HIKE.   As the walk began, we traveled along the parking lot and then to another paved path to an overlook area.   As we traveled down the path, we were greeted by Missouri Job’s Daughters and given small token for our participation.  It appeared that we were in for an easy course, as were turned around and began our stroll back that same path we had just taken, when we were greeted by more friendly faces, and given the choice to return or continue down the trail into the woods.   There had recently been some rain so all needed to be careful as they walked, but the scenery was beautiful, and was a very nice hike for HIKE.  

After all returned to the picnic area and the guides along the path reported back in, the awards were given out for the Daughter raising the most money from each state, the top Bethel, the Jobie-To-Bee raising the most money, and the overall top Daughters.  We had introductions, remarks, and then enjoyed hotdogs, chips, drinks and desserts.  We also had other games and activities.  Once again, Mid-America HIKE raised over $6,000 to give to HIKE. 

 Thanks you to the Missouri Job’s Daughters and Adults for hosting a wonderful Mid-America HIKE.  Next years Mid-America HIKE will be hosted by Nebraska Job’s Daughters and Adults. 

Nevada Presentation

Article Submitted by Lacy Artemis, PHQ
Honored Queen of Bethel #2, Reno, Nevada

 On Thursday March 5, 2009 Bethel #2, of Reno, Nevada, of Job’s Daughters International, was honored by being able to present a local 12 year old boy with an almost $3000 check from the HIKE fund.    This was such an exciting thing to be a part of.  It was great to actually see where the money that we help raise, goes.

We invited Francisco and his family to come to dinner with us.  That in itself was interesting because the family didn’t speak much English.  But we had a good time anyway.  

After dinner, we held an open meeting so we could present Francisco with his check.  We also had Kristen Remington from channel 2 news there.  She does a segment called “Someone to Know” and she interviewed Francisco and his family the week before, then came to our meeting and filmed us presenting Francisco with the check.  The segment aired on March 6^th.  Hopefully it will generate some interest in Job’s Daughters, we are waiting to see if we get some hits on our website.

Job’s Daughters is such a great organization, and being able to belong to it and help out someone in our own community is such a great thing.  I feel very proud to call myself a Job’s Daughter.

Oregon HIKE Presentation

Article Submitted by Monica McManamon – Oregon State Coordinator 

On April 6, 2009 HIKE recipient Isabel Kurtz, who is 18 months old, received a HIKE Award Check. The presentation ceremony was held at Friendship Masonic Center in Portland, Oregon. The presentation was made by Daughter HIKE Coordinator Kristi Frazier, HQ and GBHQ elect from Bethel #1 and Monica McManamon State HIKE Coordinator along with members of Bethel #1. Isabel was joined by her parent’s Benjamin and Pamela Kurtz.  The check presented was in the amount of $3,271.00.  

The Job’s Daughters in Oregon raise money in various ways throughout the year, and recently the Oregon Jobies held a Mall Crawl in Eugene, Oregon and raised $1,400.00.

Virginia Take a Boardwalk for HIKE

Article submitted by Susan Roenker – Co-Chair Virginia 

This is a newspaper article from “The Virginia Pilot” featuring the Virginia Job’s Daughters taking a stroll along the Boardwalk to raise money for HIKE.  There were approximately 200 people present representing 21 of the 23 Bethels in Virginia.  The event raised $14,659 which is a slight increase from last year. 

Wisconsin HIKE Presentation

Article Submitted by Andrea Norem 

On April 19, 2009 at HIKE Award presentation was made to Brianna Lynn Quass at the Madison Masonic Lodge.  The award presentation was made at a Promotion Day All Masonic Group Pancake Breakfast.  

Nebraska HIKE Presentation

Article submitted by Kelsey Larsen, Nebraska HIKE Coordinator

 On December 6, 2008, members of Bethel #6 in Kearney, Nebraska made a HIKE Award presentation to 4 year old Lucas Epperson and his parents. Lucas is a very energetic boy who loves hockey.  Since receiving his hearing aids, Lucas can now hear his parents as well as many other things.  Lucas and his parents were presented the award check by members of the Nebraska Grand Family: Grand Guardian Penny Aldersen , GBHQ Mimi, MNJD Dehnia, MNC Lindsey,  along with Daughter HIKE Coordinator Becca,  Kelsey Larsen, Nebraska HIKE Coordinator.

Colorado HIKE Presentation

Article submitted by Cindy Midyett, MM, PGG
Colorado HIKE Coordinator

  On March 9^th Bethel #43 of Golden, Colorado  and The HIKE Choir presented a HIKE award check to Connor Seiver.  Since Conner’s family is all deaf,  the girls of the HIKE Choir got to test their signing skills the night of the presentation and they were amazing.   The Choir signed two songs and presented the check to the Seivers.

The following thank you note was received:

                        “Thank you so much again for the award.  We enjoyed ourselves last night at the ceremony.  The girls are just wonderful.  We were Glad to be a part of that special occasion.  I don’t know if you understood my father but he said that his father was a Masonic member.

It is almost as if the circle has come fully around, with Connor’s great grandfather who helped donate money to other people and now Connor is getting help from a Masonic afflicted organization. My parents really enjoyed themselves and were touched by the whole experience.  It brought back some memories for my father when his father was a member of Masonic temple.

Thanks again for the award.  We are forever grateful!   We are now waiting to hear from the Children’s Hospital to make an appt so Connor can get his own hearing aids and return his loaner hearing aids back to the hospital. 

Cheers”
Kathy and Derek Sevier