Home's Grown Kids - Spring 2023

home’s grown

Leaving

Being Recognized for Good Deeds

Miatta, age 9, lives at the Masonic Children’s Home and attends second grade in the Elizabethtown Area School District.

She was recently recognized by the community of Elizabethtown with the “Do The Right Thing” award for her exemplary behavior and for being a positive role model.

Do The Right Thing is a national program that began with the Miami Police Department in 1990 and continues in communities nationwide.

This program honors youth, grades K-12, who do positive things that make a difference. In doing so, they become positive role models for their peers.

Miatta was nominated by her teacher, Mr. Heaverly, for independently initiating positive and supportive relationships with kindergartners who have special needs at Bainbridge Elementary School.

“We have special needs kids at school. I push them on tire swings and play with them and make them feel welcome,” Miatta said. “I help them if they are lost and need to find their classrooms.”

Social worker Alison IzerBowman added, “She always helps without being asked.”

Miatta was celebrated at a recent awards ceremony, where she received a T-shirt, certificate of recognition and the opportunity to attend a Hershey Bears Game, where she and the other nominees will be recognized on the ice at intermission.

Giving students positive recognition for good deeds encourages positive behavior, helps kids feel good about themselves and improves school climate.

The Do the Right Thing is a collaborative effort among Elizabethtown Area Communities

That Care, the Elizabethtown local police departments and the Elizabethtown Area School District.

Miatta said she is excited to attend the Hershey Bears game. Alison said she plans to take Miatta to dinner beforehand, most likely at her favorite restaurant, Chick-fil-A.

Miatta said she appreciates the support she receives while staying at the children’s home.

“There are people there who care about you and support you,” she said. “I have a lot of friends.”

Miatta helping to grow produce in the Balliet Cottage garden.

“There are people there who care about you and support you,” she said. “I have a lot of friends.”

Longtime Staff Member Retires

Donna Shaffer retired from the Masonic Children’s Home in December 2022, after serving 42 years as a private tutor and then as an educational coordinator.

During that time, Donna and her husband, who spent 30 years as a house parent, built a home in State College. Earlier in her career, Donna lived on the Elizabethtown campus. The couple have one son, Jordan.

Prior to coming to the children’s home, Donna spent 12 years teaching sixth grade at Juniata Valley Elementary School in Alexandria, PA.

She said she will miss spending time at the children’s home, especially working with “my seniors and college students.”

“That was always my mission – not just to get the kids to graduate high school, but to get into and through

college,” she said. “I have three [kids] this year graduating from college and one of my former kids attends Fordham Law School. She came and visited me in December.”

“I enjoy building relationships with the children and really getting to know them,” she added. “That was the great thing about the children’s home. You could establish relationships and watch them grow.”

Donna earned her bachelor’s degree in health and fitness from South Dakota State University. She also attended graduate school at Pennsylvania State University, earning a master’s degree in curriculum and supervision education.

“It’s really hard saying goodbye to the kids, but I know we’ll keep in touch,” she said.

Donna, you will be missed!

Donna Shaffer (middle) gathers with children from the Masonic Children’s Home during Youth Appreciation Day, a day to recognize students’ accomplishments throughout the school year.

Leaving a Legacy of Love & Hope

When he was 8 years old, Rev. A. Preston Van Deursen lived in an inner-city row house in Philadelphia. He was smoking and stealing and had a difficult childhood. Fortunately, Preston’s grandfather was a Mason and was able to place Preston and his sisters in the Masonic Children’s Home.

“The children’s home kept me safe, off the streets and out of an unhealthy family situation,” he said. “It gave me an opportunity. I played high school sports. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. My life had a chance.”

More than 30 years later, Preston returned to the Masonic Children’s Home, this time not to reap the benefits of charity, but to give something back. The little boy-turned-pastor was there to bury Russell Trimmer, the former superintendent of the children’s home. He also cared for Mrs. Trimmer during her final year.

“It felt like the circle had been completed,” he said. Recently, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown celebrated Preston and his wife, Brenda, for their combined contributions to the organizations as the couple formally retired. Youth from the children’s home presented him with gifts and showered him with love.

Brenda had worked at Masonic Village for 26 years, most recently as executive assistant to the executive director. Preston had worked at Masonic Village for 28 years, most recently as director of spiritual care. He is a member of the

Ashara-Casiphia Lodge No. 551, Mount Joy, and serves as a Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

“I’m ready for a break – it’s time,” Preston said. “We are headed to Florida for a sixmonth sabbatical, and we are going to be snowbirds,” Preston said. “We’ve also moved to Gettysburg, where we’ll be living in a 50-plus community. We’re excited and everything should be good going forward. ”

Beginning his service at Masonic Village as associate pastor, Preston and his young family lived for a few years on the children’s home campus, just down the road from where he grew up. Preston and Brenda bought a house in Elizabethtown, but eventually returned to campus again for another 10 years.

Prior to the children’s home, Preston served as pastor at a Lutheran church in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and as a pastorat-large for another church. As the executive director of the local Lutheran social services, he founded two soup kitchens that still serve hundreds of people a day.

While in Ohio, he also met Brenda, and the couple have been married 39 years.

Preston earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Lenoir Rhyne University in North Carolina. He then spent four years at Lutheran Southern Seminary in

Rev. A. Preston Van Deursen, with youth from the Masonic Children’s Home, at a reception celebrating his retirement.

South Carolina, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree.

When he came to the children’s home as a youth, Preston cared for his sisters and became a leader among the boys of his age group. He had a keen interest in other people, and the younger boys often brought their problems to him.

The day he left the children’s home, at age 17, Preston had nothing but his suitcase to take with him. Now, children are encouraged to go to college and the children’s home helps pay for it, Preston said.

“Now they tutor you, and most of the kids are on the Honor Roll,” he said. “It was run more like a military school when I was there, as opposed to all the opportunities the kids have now. I’ve been blessed that we’re able to be a part of their lives in a small way.”

At Masonic Village, Preston performed about five religious services a week, as well as funeral services and occasional wedding ceremonies for employees, residents and friends. He also visited the sick in local hospitals, attended meetings with family members and residents, talked to residents who were depressed and comforted relatives of deceased residents.

In 1999, upon the retirement of the Rev. Charles Lacquement, Preston was promoted to director of pastoral care. Over the next decade, he greatly expanded the department’s ministry, both in scope and in size, to accommodate the campus’ growth.

While regular church services were conducted in the John S. Sell Memorial Chapel and the Masonic Health Care Center, Preston continually heard from residents who had moved to Elizabethtown from out of area and missed having a “church home.”

Preston then led the formation of the Congregation of Sell Chapel, a nondenominational church body comprised mainly of Masonic Village residents, although staff and community members were welcome to join. In 2004, the congregation’s first 200 charter members were received. Today, the membership is about 400.

“There are people from the community who are members,” he said. “We are very active in Elizabethtown. That’s really important. We try to help all the nonprofit agencies in the community financially.”

What Preston enjoyed most about his job was the interaction with people. “I won’t miss working all the time, but I’ll miss the people,” he said. “Before I left, I was named Pastor Emeritus, so I’m still part of the staff. When I come back in June, I’ll be working part-time again as associate of pastoral care.”

Looking back, Preston said he never imagined the path his life would take. As a child, he remembered thinking church was boring. That was until he came across a pastor

who was down to earth, liked to joke around and modeled his faith in a non-judgmental manner.

“For a guy from Philadelphia from the wrong side of the tracks, to hear that God loves you and cares for you ... That it’s not what we do, but what God does for us … if ever there was a guy who fit that theology, it was me. I found my family in church.”

Preston’s real family today is a stark contrast to the dysfunctional life he endured as a young child. His daughters, Ashley and Allison, and his son, Aaron, have all worked at Masonic Village in different capacities, giving back to the organization that made their lives possible.

“I’m truly a lucky man,” he said.

Effective Jan. 15, 2023, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown announced the promotion of the Rev. Deborah Valiton-Carnish, as the new director of spiritual care. Rev. Deborah has been part of the spiritual care team for nine years. We welcome her new leadership!

A. Preston Van Deursen with his wife, Brenda. (left) Preston and his sisters at the children’s home as kids. (right)

Twisted GAMES

Volunteers from Masonic Village Shrine Club in Elizabethtown recently threw a fun pizza party for youth at the Masonic Children’s Home. The children had a wonderful day, especially learning how to make animals, flowers, butterflies and other shapes with balloons.

Attention: NEW Law!

Now, You Can Fund a Lifetime Annuity From Your IRA Without Paying Taxes

You can now make a once-in-a-lifetime distribution of up to $50,000 to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) from the Masonic Charities.

What you need to know:

• Anyone 701/2 or older can apply.

• You do not need to be a Mason.

• Annuity rates start at 5% and can go as high as 9.5%, depending on your age.

• You can purchase an annuity for yourself or for you and your spouse.

• Your distribution can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), thereby avoiding taxes on your RMD.

Your Charitable Gift Annuity will provide these benefits:

• Payments to you or you and your spouse for the rest of your lives

• Tax-free distributions from your IRA to fund the annuity

• The ability to support the Masonic Children’s Home when the

ends.

Thank You

ALL

GIFTS

GIVEN SEPT. 1 - DEC. 31

SCHOLAR DONORS

17th Masonic District School of Instruction

Alfred and Gloria Asheuer

Concordia Lodge No. 067

William and Susan Davis

Helen Friant

Benjamin Griscom

Bill and Carol Hawthorne

Margaret Hoffmann

John and Mary Keister

Kathleen Keough

Rich and Susan Kirk

Logan Lodge No. 490

Alan Marfin

Donald and Lois Miller

Joseph and Barbara Murphy Fund

Richard and Michelle Muth

Neshaminy Chapter No. 374, O.E.S.

Jesse Oltmanns

PA Faithful Defenders Chapter of the Widow’s Sons

Michael and Judy Rutter

Schiller Lodge No. 345

Karren Scott

Shafer Family Charitable Trust Foundation

Matthew Silfies

Nancy Toothaker

Diana Lynn Wilkins

Rooster Woodshop

Kimberly Zarfoss

Zeredatha-White Rose Lodge No. 451

EDUCATOR

Gregory Breneman

William Bronstein

Robert and Audrey Confer

Paul and Carole DiCicco

Rodney and Karen Fritchley

Martin Ray and Shirley Iman

Karen Most

Willard and Lucille Snyder

Robert and Roberta Vaiden

AUTHOR

Robbie Hoffman

George and Elaine McLaughlin

Samuel Turn

Jean Rindt

MENTOR

Jack Llewellyn

ASSOCIATE

Frances Stark

MASTER

Frank and Lois Eiler

Judith Wolf

Financial information about Masonic Village can be obtained by contacting us at 1-800-599-6454. In addition, Masonic Charities is required to file financial information with several states. Colorado: Colorado residents may obtain copies of registration and financial documents from the office of the Secretary of State. (303) 894-2680, http://www.sos.state.co.us/. Florida: SC No. 00774, A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP-FLA. Georgia: full and fair description of the programs and activities of Masonic Charities and its financial statement are available upon request at the address indicated above. Illinois: Contracts and reports regarding Masonic Charities are on file with the Illinois Attorney General. Maryland: For the cost of postage and copying, documents and information filed under the Maryland charitable organizations laws can be obtained from the Secretary of State, Charitable Division, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401, (800) 825-4510. Michigan: MICS No. 11796 Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Masonic Charities may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp.htm#charity. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. New York: A copy of the latest annual report can be obtained from the organization or from the Office of the Attorney General by writing the Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Masonic Charities may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.

HONORARIUM GIFTS

HONOREE DONOR

Scott Bellamy

Philip Bueki

Sebastian David Burrier

Our Children

Zella Dervin

Ronald and Karen Bellamy

Philip and Kristen Bueki, Jr.

David Burrier

William and Jean Adams

Larry and Zella Phelabaum

The Disney’s Dick and Barbara Rambo

Lori Dixon

Jack

Jennifer Johnstonbaugh

Macaire E. Kolchin

Judy Lakind

Danielle Leach

Gary/Allen Lewis

The McClain’s

Bette K. Norris

William M. Norris

Pennsylvania Freemasons

Craig Schweitzer

The Steinman’s

Dale Stratton

Kaila and Reed Terwilliger

Andrew Urban Family

Brad Urban Family

A. Preston Van Deursen

Barbara Kolchin

John and Judy Florey

Cody Davidson

Barbara Kolchin

Cheston Berlin

Peter and Rebecca Duncan

Ronald and Karen Bellamy

Dick and Barbara Rambo

Mark and Nancy Deputy

Mark and Nancy Deputy

Richard and Alice Temple

Barbara Kolchin

Dick and Barbara Rambo

Richard and Sandra Bunn

Shawn Terwilliger

Dick and Barbara Rambo

Dick and Barbara Rambo

The Special Singles Women’s Group

A. Preston and Ken and Doris Beane

Brenda Van Deursen

Lydia and Jay Zeshonski

Sandra E. Zupanovich

Bryan and Eileen Hill

Jeff and Mary James

Robert Zupanovich

Robert Zupanovich

MEMORIAL DONOR

Harold Ammerman

Sergius D. Andreychek

Ralph D. and Gloria Anglin

Janet Anspach

Gary Bain

Janice E. Bain

Paul J. Balthaser

Charles W. Batten

Robert H. Beattie III

James O. Benson

Terry D. Bentzel

Anne R. Berlin

Nancy Biehl

James Bodnar

Errol Q. Bond

H. William “Bill” Brady

Daniel B. Breneman

Larry A. Brion

Robert A. Broggi

Joe Brown

Harry K. Burchfield

Donald Caterson

Gaylon C. Cathcart

James V. and Hortense Cauley

Jack F. Cavendish

Linda Cherris

Charles A. and Mary R. Class

David R. Clawson

Carl J. Cott

Harry N. Creighton

Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr.

Donald G. and Irma M. Davidson

Philip F. Drach

Robert D. Edwards

Amelia Elizeus

Donald B. Engle

Donald E. Eshelman

Rudolph F. Falkenstein

Glen David Fisher

Carl R. Flohr

Jim Fox

Donald F. Frank

Wesley E. Franklin

Bobby Frye

Richard and Alice Temple

Timothy and Kathleen Andreychek

James and Beth Cauley

David Anspach

John Bain

John Bain

Thomas and Helen Zern

Dorothee Blum

Jo Anne Beattie

Gerda Benson

Patricia Eyster

Cheston Berlin

Clark Biehl

Sam and Linda Yosen

Dorrece LeBlanc

David and Jane Staplin

Gregory Breneman

Barbara Brion

Rose Ann Broggi

Ralph Travis

Carol Bream

Bruce and Eudonna Legg

Michael and Barbara Cathcart

James and Beth Cauley

William Cavendish

Ann Finkbeiner

Rich and Susan Kirk

David and Sharon Ressler

Grace Cott

Kenneth Creighton

Raymond Fairfax

Paul and Shirley Weaver

William and Nancy Davidson

Harry Collier

Patricia Kirk

Joel and Margaret Elizeus

Patricia Kemmerer

David and Phyllis Masenheimer

Norma Eshelman

Gwendolyn Falkenstein

Barbara Kolchin

Ken and Marge Pineda

Barbara Kolchin

Thomas Abbott

Carole Franklin

Carolyn Painter

Henry W. Gaffney

Mr. and Mrs. Wade Gates

Paul F. Gaynor

Joan Geary

Ruth Getz

Carolyn R. Gills

Kim D. Glynn

David G. Gorbey

John J. Gullifer III

George H. Guscott

Barry E. Hair

Joan H. Hall

William O. Harris

Wesley W. and Caroline Hartman

David S. Hedglin and Mary (Forrester) Hedglin

John R. Hendry, Jr.

Carolyn K. Herr

Jack E. Hestor

Leonard I. Hill, Jr.

Robert J. Hirsch

Melvin M. Hollenbach

Joseph F. Izzo

William M. Jackson

Thomas H. Johns

Dorothy Johnston

Dale R. Jones

Harry J. Jones

Carl A. and Floss Kandra

John M. Kauffman

Edward H. Kemmerer

Barbara Kessler

Earl M. Kline

Mae Kline

John Kolchin

Daniel J. and Sheila Konieczka

Kathleen L. Kuhn

Larry G. Lawver

Charles W. and Noreen A. Leah

John C. Leinbach

Herbert W. C. Lewis

Timothy J. Lewis

Robert W. Lichty

Barry W. Littleford

Ken and Kay Lyons

Althea N. Martin

Patricia Martin

Robert Fitts

Gloria Gates

Marilyn Gaynor

Ralph Geary

Thomas Getz

Jerry Robison

Timothy Glynn

Barbara Gorbey

Michael and Louise Avellino

Diane and Bob Cantono

Byrl and Peg Johnson

John and Mary Guscott

Gertrude Hair

William Hall

Joanne Harris

Wesley and Patricia Hartman

Thomas Senior

John and Genevieve Hendry

James and Deborah Herr

Janet Hestor

Aura Hill Bunn

Matthew Hirsch

Dale Hollenbach

Billy and Brianne Izzo

The Merck Company Foundation

Mary Jackson

Joan Johns

Joel and Margaret Elizeus

Carol Jones

Roberta Jones

Karen Most

Mary Kauffman

Jean Kemmerer

James Ruck

Eugene and Anna Kline

Eugene and Anna Kline

Barbara Kolchin

Michael and Mary Panian

Alan and Elsie Saylor

Barbara Lawver

Scott and Mary Leah

Beverly Leinbach

Ronald and Karen Bellamy

James J. Lewis

Florabelle Lichty

Marilyn Littleford

John and Sally Sinclair

Dee Molinari

Robert Martin

MEMORIAL GIFTS

MEMORIAL DONOR

Ronald P. Martin

Thomas H. Martin

James R. Martz

Glenn T. Marvel

Harry W. Matthias

Lois V. McDevitt

Harold S. McElroy

Arthur T. McGonigle, Jr.

Kimberly McKeon

Timothy O. Meckley

Albert C. Menger

Raymond A. Metcalfe

Marvin L. Millhouse

Donald M. Moore

Raedel R. Moore

Ralph M. Moore

W. G. Mowry

L. Carl and Myrtle Moyer

Roland Moyer

My Parents

Charles L. Nixon

Ronald W. Noll

John W. Norton

Preston E. Nyce

Daniel Padezanin

Our Parents

Our Parents

Richard M. Pavicic

Lewis P. Penman

M. John Pentz, Sr.

Doris B. Peters

Beatrice K. Phillips

David W. Phillips

Shirley Phillips

James Preston, Jr.

Ruth N. Prosser

Robert F. Purdy

Charles W. Quinn

Clifford E. Rambo, Sr.

Clifford E. Rambo, Jr.

Rayford and Edna

Alexander J. Reeder

Joan Reynolds

David A. Rice

Dreher L. Richards, Jr.

Paul B. Richards

Howard F. Rissmiller

Thomas H. Roach

Hope Martin

Elizabeth Martin

James Thomas

Garrett and Catherine Marvel

Lois Matthias

Alan and Elsie Saylor

Carolyn Carter

Sherry McGonigle

Gerald Moyer

Carol Meckley

Pauline Menger

Robert and Rose Lee Metcalfe

Judith Millhouse

Dennis Moore

Dennis Moore

Dennis Moore

Daniel and Jean Rose

Gerald Moyer

Gerald Moyer

Paula Kauffman

Gail Nixon

Sally Ann Noll

Beverly Norton

Robert and Maria Nyce

Richard and Judith McEwen

Donald and Tina Marie Simington

Gerald and Ann Walker

Joan Pavicic

Kenneth and Darla McClain

Millard and Evelyn Pentz

Alan and Elsie Saylor

John Phillips

Karren Scott

Duane Phillips

Grace Preston

John Prosser

Robert and Carolyn Purdy

Elaine Quinn

Dick and Barbara Rambo

Dick and Barbara Rambo

Francis and Linda Quail

Jackie Hull-Reeder

Chris Reynolds

Nancy Rice

Gwendolyn Richards

Carol Meckley

Bonita Rissmiller

Kent Roach

Thomas J. Roach

Edwin Rodriguez

Robert L. Rohrbaugh

Sherena Ross

Joan L. Scheetz

George P. Semerjian

Elaine S. Sertway

Jacqueline E. Shank

George A. Sharp

James G. Sheffer

Herbert N. Silvis

R. Arthur and Violet Smith

Richard D. Smith, Sr.

Julia T. Snyder

Martin C. Snyder

Melvin G. “Pete” Snyder

Bill Spayd

Donald H. Spicer

Jean C. Stadnik

Frederick F. Stange

James W. Stark

James R. Stewart

James M. Stewart

George J. Stojanovich

Lee Stoneback

Julian L. Sturgis, Jr.

Henry E. Sulkowski

Sherri A. Sutter

Robert E. Telford

John R. Tharp

Emery G. Thurston

Tihansky and Hague Families

Harold W. Tonkin

Douglas E. Toothaker

Roland A. Turley

Robert R. Walker

Proctor G. Welcher

Todd K. Wilkins, Sr.

David A. Wilson

Dennis E. Winkowski

Arthuyr S. Jeffrey Wolfe

George A. Wolfe

Frank P. Wolyniec

Duane W. Woolworth

Roy E. and Emma M. Worthy

Wayne D. Young

Robert T. Zern

Ben Zisselman

Kent Roach

Alfred and Lola Mueller

Isabel Rohrbaugh

Allen and Linda Ross

Carroll Scheetz

Sarkis and Annette Semerjian

Jon Sertway

Wayne Shank

June Sharp

Donaleen Sheffer

Joycelyn Silvis

Kenneth and Charlotte Renninger

Georgia Smith

Dee Molinari

Leocadia Snyder

Diane Snyder

Christopher Bixler

Ashley Reasner

Thomas Getz

Carol Stange

Frances Stark

Joan Stewart

Francis and Linda Quail

Brendan Smith

Arthur Stoneback

William Strimple

Margaret Sulkowski

Dolores Shafer

Gilbert Telford

Carol Tharp

Jean Thurston Weiss

Andrew and Maureen Tihansky

Frederick Tonkin

Nancy Toothaker

Helen Turley

Rebecca Walker

LaVerne Welcher

Diana Lynn Wilkins

Daniel and Jean Rose

Keith and Hope Winkowski

Patricia Wolfe

Thomas and Catherine Wolfe

Joyce Wolyniec

Joan Woolworth

John and Kim Troup

Olive Young

Thomas and Helen Zern

Barbara Kolchin