In the Fall of 2017, Resource Center Liaison, DeAnna Kinney met with Dave Williams (Lowell Lodge), John Lovejoy (Flushing Lodge) and Jeff Gallaher (Monroe Lodge) at a little diner off I-70 in Morristown, Ohio to discuss the possibility of reforming a grass roots, hands-on type of volunteer program designed to help Masons, their wives, widows and Eastern Star members in need. With the support of the Ohio Masonic Home administration and the fraternity in South East Ohio, the Masonic Volunteer Program has grown like wild fire. We formed our first MVP Committee in the 23rd District under the Chairmanship of John Lovejoy with 17 volunteers packing Christmas baskets at Flushing Lodge. Our second MVP Committee was formed in the 17th District under Dave Williams, and our third was formed in the 18th District under Jeff Gallaher. As news spread and the good works of the volunteers fanned the flames, the Masonic Volunteer Program added a fourth committee in the 19th District under the Chairmanship of Mike Brock, Aerospace Lodge.
The volunteers are Masons and Eastern Stars, as well as friends and spouses of Masons, who are helping our Resource Center clients by making calls and visits, sending cards, assisting with transportation, completing minor home repairs and other activities. The volunteers are also one of our most important means of communication with those in need and have been making referrals to the Resource Center for more formal services and assistance. Volunteers work hand in hand with the Liaison in their local area to provide assistance to clients in the community.
On April 15, the fifth MVP Committee was trained in the 20th District under the Chairmanship of Jane Edgington, Medina OES, on our Western Reserve Masonic Community campus. We now have 84 volunteers and continue to grow. A sixth committee training is planned in the 13th District at Lancaster Lodge on May 15th at 6pm and we welcome anyone with a desire to serve.
DeAnna Kinney, Masonic Volunteer Program Coordinator, is available to come to your district to talk about the program or set up a committee in your area. A brief training is required to discuss such issues as client confidentiality and making appropriate referrals. For further details, you may call the Resource Center at 1-877-881-1623.
