Minnesota Presentation

A HIKE presentation was made to 5-year old Christopher Welsh by Bethel #17 of Rochester, Minnesota.  Chris and his family were invited to the Masonic Temple on the afternoon of May 2, 2003 to receive his award.  They were given a tour of the Temple and pictures were taken.  The family was most appreciative and smiles were everywhere.  The Daughters of the Bethel were glad to see that the efforts they put forth to raise funds for HIKE really do make a difference.

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COLORADO Sept 2003

In December 2002, the Daughters of Bethel #31, Colorado Springs, made two HIKE presentations for hearing aids. Prior to the Bethel's Official Visit and after their soup supper, checks were presented to Shane Javernick, age 11, and Maxwell Javernick, age 9. Being the parents of two hearing impaired sons and the possibility of a third, they were very grateful

After the Colorado HIKE Choir performed for members of Radiant Chapter and several other Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star in February 2003, they presented a check to 11-year-old Aracely Aldrete. Aracely speaks Spanish and some English but was very shy, so it was a challenge. Since her mother speaks very little English, the HIKE Coordinator had to harken back to High School Spanish and experience from living in Spain many years ago

On April 21, 2003, Bethel #18, which is currently in reorganization, held a very active and fun prospect party at Westminster Lodge, CO. HIKE checks were presented to Alexander Fontaine, age 8, and Shane McFarland, age 10. Both boys along with Alexander's brother and Job's Daughters and Jobies-to-bee had fun in the "Bounce and Box" booth. The boys challenged each other along with the Job's Daughters and adults to a "boxing match". All had lots of food and fun.

Bethel #33 of Littleton, CO held a meeting on May 6 honoring Mothers and Eastern Star members. Before the meeting they presented one-year-old Isabelle Tabia with a HIKE check as her mother, brother and sister looked on.

After a very impressive open meeting and Grand Visit honoring Mrs. Bobbie Carlson, GG, Mr. Glen English, AGG, Mr. Claud Butrou, Grand Master, and other Masonic Family members, the Colorado HIKE Choir performed their sign language routine to various songs. After the presentation eleven year old Moises Gonzales and his family were called to the stage where Moises was presented with his HIKE check. Mr. Gonzales, Moises's father, then thanked all of the girls and adults responsible for the funds and said that the new hearing aids will be very valuable to a young boy growing up in a dual language situation. He tries very hard to speak both languages but it has been very difficult for him.

After the Daughters of Bethel #18, Westminster, had a dinner and before their Official Visit, the HIKE Choir performed two musical numbers in sign language. A HIKE check was then presented to Akash Karsanbhai. Akash's parents were very thankful for the monetary help for the youngest of their three boys. A thank you letter was received from Manhar and Bindu Karsnabhai after their son, Akash, received his hearing aids. "We would like to thank the HIKE fund and Job's Daughters for the great effort in gathering the funds for Akash's hearing aids. We are very thankful for your help with this. There are no words that can describe our gratitude to you all. You will be forever remembered by us for this great act. We hope that one day we can return this great favor. The hearing aids have already helped Akash tremendously. We have noticed a significant improvement in Akash's speech. This observation has been made by the Speech Therapist at Children's as well as his teachers at school (pre-K)."

Bethel #31 of Fountain, CO, met at the Village Inn in Pueblo, CO for shakes and iced tea. Honored Queen Alicia Hollibaugh, along with Whitney Carstens SP, and Dawn Nilson, presented Isaiah Ambriz with a HIKE check. A thank you note was receiverd from the Ambriz family. "Thank you for your help and financial assistance for Isaiah's hearing aids. He just began the process and we turned the check over to the audiologist. It looks like everything will be done in time for school. Thank you. We deeply appreciate your generosity.

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Thank You

Wisconsin - A very nice letter was received from a teacher of the hearing impaired who also happens to be a PHQ of Bethel #9 in Wauwatosa.  One of her students received an award from our Hike Fund.  She knows how important Hike is allowing children the opportunity to reach their full potential during these important years of growth.  Developing a positive self-esteem is so vital, so having suitable, modern equipment really helps.  She expressed her extreme pleasure in seeing Job’s Daughters coordinating such a great and worthwhile program, and wishes us continued success and encouragement to continue this program. 

New Hampshire - A letter from the mother of a young girl was received expressing her thanks for our extreme generosity in allowing them to purchase an FM Micro-Link System for her daughter.  “Our family was so thrilled to receive your letter and to know that we have reached our goal.  We cannot thank Job’s Daughters and the HIKE Fund enough.”

New York - The following letter was received from a recipient of a HIKE award:  “I wanted to thank you for donating the money to pay for my personal hearing aids-Sensos.  I was amazed to hear that you approved my application.  My family and I really appreciate all your help.  When I got my own Sensos I was so excited to hear everything again.  So, I would like to tell you that HIKE is a wonderful organization to support people and help them meet their needs.  I would like to thank all the HIKE volunteers for their hard work and for helping to make it possible.  I am now attending Gallaudet University as a freshman and studying to become a teacher.  I have volunteered as a deaf-blind interpreter there to help as community service.  My hearing aids have been a great help in making my dream of becoming a teacher possible.  Thank you so much again.”

Iowa - “Thank you so much for my hearing aids.  They are working very well for me.  I know that I will be able to achieve more in my schoolwork and everything else that I do.  Thank you again for helping me and my parents.” 

Maine - “On behalf of our son we would like to thank the Hike Fund for their generous check of $4,000.  We are greatly appreciative for these monies, and we were able to purchase new digital hearing aids for him.  The members of your organization have made an enormous impact in the life of our son, they have given him the gift of ‘hearing’!  We are ever so grateful!” 

Virginia - “Thank you so much for the gift of our daughter’s hearing aids.  The look on her face when she heard her first word with them was priceless to us.  Thanks to the HIKE Fund and all you do.  Hopefully she will start talking soon.  God bless you and all you do.”

Utah - “Dear Hike, Thank you so much for your generous contribution towards my son’s hearing aids!  This donation has taken a huge stress off of my family.  I’m sure my son’s aids will impact his life greatly.  I just can’t say thanks enough.  Thank You!!!”

THANK YOU SEPT 2003

Thank you notes received from families of HIKE recipients.

From the family of Tyler Cray:  "Of all the ways that gratitude and thanks can be expressed, the little phrase 'God bless you' somehow seems to be the best. Thank you for all your hard work!"

Card received from Kristin Murray, mother of recipient Tyler Murray: "With special thanks to all of you. I want to thank all of you, not just for what you did, which was wonderful, but for the warmth and the caring you put into it. You're all very special people. Thanks for making me feel special, too."

"Please thank the girls who helped raise money for Tyler's hearing aids. Again I thank you so much for everything all of you have done. I hope someday we can give such a wonderful gift to someone who needs our help!  Sincerely, Kristin Murray."

From Tyler Murray: "Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for working so hard to raise money for my hearing aids."

From Alisa, Tony and Bobby Hake: "To all the Job's Daughters, our family was on the receiving end of a very generous check from the HIKE Fund. We would like to tell you how truly grateful we are that you helped us to provide hearing aids for our son, who is soon to be eight months old. While words cannot express our thanks adequately, we wanted you to know how much we appreciate your hard work. These hearing aids will help our son hear within normal range and will help him develop language skills more easily. Again thank you!"

Thank You from Mark and Kelli Hoefler: "We are writing this letter to say thank you for the donation for our son's hearing aids. We cannot begin to express our gratitude. You have bridged a gap for us. You and your organization have given a little boy a chance at having a normal childhood. Our son will now have the opportunity to make friends and have a full relationship with his family. We can hardly wait for the day for him to hear us say, "I love you" ­ something he has never heard before. We wish there was more that we could do to say thank you!! Please extend our most sincere thanks to any person who was involved in making this happen. Once again thank you so much."

From Danielle Winslow: "The words seem very simple but they carry with them all my appreciation. Thank you for everything. Thank you everyone at the HIKE Fund for all your hard work and generosity for funding my new hearing aids. These hearing aids are really helping me in high school. 
Sincerely, Danielle Winslow."

A Thank You Note to the Colorado HIKE Choir: "On behalf of The Colorado Rockies Baseball Club, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for participating in our pre-game festivities at Coors Field. It was a pleasure to have you as our guest this season. We appreciate your dedication and support of The Colorado Rockies. Thank you for sharing your talents with us all. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. We hope your memories at Coors Field last forever and may all your dreams come true! Best Regards, Angel Field, Promotions and Broadcasting."

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