For many people the memory of camping as a child is an open fire and tents or sleeping bags. It probably includes cooking hot dogs and marshmallows. For those with some idea of Boy Scouts it also has knot tying and hiking.
For children with diabetes, a camp is where you go to be with other kids affected by the same disease. It also is a place to learn about eating and activity while checking your blood sugars and understanding how to live your life and have fun. It is also about not being alone and knowing there are others affected by the same challenges life has given them.
There are 6 such camps in Ohio supported by organizations in Cleveland, Toledo, Findlay, Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati. Some of these Camps and organizations have been around for over 50 years.
As with all Masonic groups, philanthropy is part of our Masonic Obligations. The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons has focused their philanthropy since 1977 on helping support the Kids who cannot afford to pay the registration fee to attend these Camps. The Grand Benevolent Fund is a 501-c-3 not-for-profit foundation set up by the Grand Council and is often referred to as The Diabetic Kids Fund.
Since its inception, the efforts of the Companions, their Councils, Arches and communities have donated over $1.3 million dollars to the Diabetic Kids Camps in Ohio. Because the administrative cost of running the GBF are handled by the Grand Council and an endowment fund to the GBF. Thus every dollar raised goes to the kids and the camps to assure that none are turned away because they cannot afford to attend.
In the past several years the Grand Council and its Charity and Benevolence Committee have endeavored to work with the Central Ohio Diabetes Association and the Diabetes Institute at Ohio University in Athens to develop an opportunity to enable the kids with diabetes in SE Ohio to attend a camp closer to home. This year the diabetes Institute will be holding the first day damp for three days in Athens. With the support of the GBF and others, the camp will offer kids with diabetes an opportunity to be with professionals to learn with each other about life skills critical to them.
The dates of the event are June 17, 18, and 19. There is a need to spread the word in all the SE Ohio Counties in the schools districts, the county health departments, community health centers and hospitals and among health professionals who care for and are aware of children with diabetes. Support for this program may go to the Grand Benevolent Fund at the office of the Grand Recorder of the Grand Council R&S Masons. Further information may be obtained also from the Diabetes Institute in Athens.
