Home's Grown Kids - Summer, 2022

home’s grown

SUMMER 2022

Graduating Seniors Celebrate Their Successes

Four Seniors Embrace Their New Lives Techeal During his time at the Masonic Children’s Home, Techeal “Tech” has transitioned from a little boy to a strong, confident young man who is ready to take on the world.

Tech, one of four seniors graduating from Elizabethtown Area High School this May, entered the children’s home when he was 9 years old and in the fourth grade. At school, he took part in sports and excelled academically.

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“These 10 years have flown by, but these last four years have really helped me grow into the man I am today,” he said. Throughout high school, Tech played basketball.

Besides being fun, the sport taught him life lessons, life skills and helped him learn more about himself.

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“With sports, I learned how to work in a team environment and to persevere during tough times on and off the court,” he said. “Without basketball, I wouldn’t be the man I am today, and I truly believe that high school basketball has helped prepare me for the next step in life.”

That would be attending Penn State Berks, where Tech received the Penn State Provost Award, awarding him $24,000 over four years. He hopes to become a physical therapist in the future so he can help fellow athletes.

“I was pretty excited when I saw I got the award, since I had never directly applied for it,” he said. “My parents are thrilled, as well as my three brothers.”

His brothers, Shedrack, Cyrus and Anthony, all live at the children’s home. “We are really close,” he said.

Academics and sports weren’t Tech’s only priorities during high school.

During his time at the children’s home, he worked part-time as a busser at the Masonic Health Care Center. Currently, he helps provide activities for children through Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation and Community Services (GEARS).

“Working at GEARS has helped me find a new passion, which is working with children,” Tech said. “Physical therapy is still my main passion, but if it doesn’t work out, I know I have a second option to fall back on.”

Tech said it is bittersweet to be leaving high school and the children’s home and moving on in life.

“My time in high school and the children’s home has been really special,” he said. “Masonic was more like a family. When I went home and came back, I wouldn’t feel bad, because this was my second family.

But I am also excited to close this chapter in my life, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Cassie, Techeal, Noelia and Rina.

Noelia Noelia arrived at the children’s home in second grade, four years after her older brother, Nestor, came to live there. During her time at the children’s home, she has participated in sports and other extracurricular activities, while working part-time at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown in the dietary department of the Masonic Health Care Center.

“I can personally relate to this [cause] because a childhood friend back in Philadelphia lost her fight with leukemia,” she said. “If I had a chance to make an impact, I wanted to help in any way possible.”

Noelia will attend Northampton Community College (Bethlehem) this fall to major in radiology. She

learned about the field while taking photography classes in high school.

The details from the photographs caught her attention, and she decided to get more familiar with radiology and take science classes.

She realized she was interested in imaging the body and wanted to pursue a career in the future.

She said she will miss the friendships she has made at the children’s

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helps support children and families impacted by childhood cancer.

HOME’S GROWN KIDS

During her time at Elizabethtown Area High School, Noelia played softball, where she learned new skills and developed a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. In addition to other activities, she was co-president of the Pep Club and a member of Student Council, where she developed a weekly teacher recognition program. She was also the “media design captain” for MiniTHON, a student-run philanthropy that

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home. She came out of her shell and developed as a person. “When I’m around the kids, it is so much fun and easy. When I leave, I know I’ll have to focus on ‘adulting.’”

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“Because of donors, I’ve been able to get the things that I need for college, like books, electronics and clothing,” she added. “I don’t have to worry or stress about it ahead of time.

I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

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summer vacations at the beach to receiving help with academics.

“I’ve definitely grown as a person,” she said. “Back when I came here, I was a lot more shy, but being here has helped me come out of that shell and become a very social person.

“I have a lot to be grateful for. I have learned so much in my 11 years at the children’s home.”

Cassandra

Rina

Cassandra “Cassie” came to the children’s home when she was 7 years old. She spent her senior year at the Mount Joy campus of the Lancaster Career & Technology Center and plans to attend Millersville University to prepare for a career working with children. She has enjoyed many of the opportunities she has been given at the children’s home, from

Rina grew up in southwest Philadelphia, where she attended an inner-city school. Her father decided to move her and her brother to Elizabethtown in 2015 to get a better education. At first, she felt out of place, but the school offered her the opportunity to participate in track and field, and the children’s home allowed her to take karate classes.

“Once I joined sports, I felt more involved in the school and I had the opportunity to meet new people,” she said. “I was a quiet kid, but I became more sociable.”

She later quit sports to focus exclusively on schoolwork, prepare for college and earn funds for college.

Rina is currently taking nursing classes at Harrisburg Area Community College and working at a Subway restaurant in Elizabethtown.

After graduation, Rina will be attending Lincoln University and majoring in nursing with a minor in psychology.

She will continue to work, as well.

After earning her degree, she plans to stay at Lincoln or attend another college to pursue her master’s degree in nursing science. She hopes to become a pediatrician.

“My aunt told me I was really patient and good with kids and said I should go into the nursing field because we need more nurses,” she said. “It’s a lot of studying, but if I really like the subject, I will actually learn and get better and get more knowledge about the medical field.”

She said she will miss the house parents at the children’s home. “I talk to them daily and tell them my problems,” she said. “I’ll definitely keep in contact with them.”

She said she’s learned over the years to express herself and not be afraid to be herself.

“Nobody will judge you here,” she said. “You will fit in anywhere. There are people at Masonic who truly love you and make you feel safe.”

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By giving a monthly gift of any amount to the Masonic Children’s Home, you’ll be joining a program that provides you several benefits:

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Making

Our four seniors, as we end-of-school events, cr

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ell as other youth, enjoyed reating lifelong memories.

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Rising Eighth Grader Recognized for “Doing the Right Thing” Nathan, rising eighth grader at Elizabethtown Area Middle School, was the proud recipient of a Do the Right Thing Award in March. A Masonic Children’s Home resident since 2020, Nathan was recognized for assisting his teachers and substitutes in class on several occasions, alongside 14 classmates also honored for exemplary behavior.

Do the Right Thing is a national program that originated in the Miami Police Department in 1990 as a way to recognize students for their efforts to improve their local environments and serve as role models to their peers.

The local sector of the program is jointly operated by the Elizabethtown Area School District, Elizabethtown Area Communities That Care and local police departments.

Students are nominated by a community member who observed their exemplary behavior, which can include improving school environment, overcoming academic challenges and general displays of good citizenship. A committee then selects at least one winner monthly to receive a certificate of recognition, a T-shirt and a gift certificate.

Nathan recounted the events that led to his reception of the award, which included helping a new student navigate online coursework programs and assisting a substitute teacher in settling the classroom.

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“My classmates were proud of me. There was clapping,” Nathan said with a smile. “My house parents and brothers were proud of me, too.”

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This generous behavior is not out of character for Nathan, who also lends a hand around his cottage. From doing his share of chores around the house to being a friend to his cottage mates, he plays an active role in showing responsibility and kindness to others.

Despite his sociable personality, when Nathan first arrived at the children’s home, he remembers being nervous about fitting into the new environment full of unfamiliar faces.

“I didn’t know any of the people here, so I kept to myself mostly,” he said.

However, meeting a new friend, Ronald, was all he needed to break out of his shell and embrace the friends,

activities and opportunities the children’s home provides.

Today, Nathan enjoys the bonds he has created with his cottage mates and house parents, though the cottage food also ranked high on his list of favorites. He can most often be found outside playing football with friends, drawing and playing video games. In the classroom, Nathan is interested in science and mathematics and enjoys being a member of the football team.

Next school year will be Nathan’s last in middle school, and while he is nervous for the looming transition to high school, he is also excited for the new challenge.

Until then, he is looking forward to the summer, which he plans to spend outside playing football with friends.

Nathan, along with the other recipients, received his Do the Right Thing Award at a ceremony in March. Recipients also attended a Hershey Bears hockey game, where they were invited onto the ice and recognized during the game.

fI you are older than 70 ½ and have a traditional IRA, a QualiThed Charitable Distribution (QCD) is usually the number one way to give to the Masonic Children’s oH me. You avoid tax on any amount given from your IRA to charity, which is like getting a free tax deduction. Yes, its’ more complicated than writing a check, but once you do, you wil never look back. lP ease contact e Masonic Charities O ce of Mission Advancement and Development (previously known as the O ce of Gi lP anning) for a FREE QCD iK t, then talk to your advisor about dividing up your QCD among your favorite charities, including the Masonic Children’s oH me. Remember, if you don’t need your Required Minimum Distribution, then turning it into a QCD is an added beneTht. Carol Chew is a Masonic iV l age resident who decided to create a QCD in support of the kids at the children’s home. Financial professionals suggested a QCD to her, and she decided to donate in memory of her husband, Charles. enjoyed gathering with families, donors and others to celebrate the accomplishments Charles and CarolWe met whi le golThng at Masonic iV l age, and were married for 15 years. Carol remembers Charles by his generous and sel ess spirit and wanted to honor him. of our kids, especially our seniors, at the 97th annual Youth Appreciation “He showed trueDay! kindness Thanks and was a beautiftoul person, ” Carol said. “He hadwho always lojoined ved children, haviusng for four sonsthis of his own and mentoredcelebration. kids who faced di culties in his free time during retirement.” eW can help you create a QCD to achieve your goals whi everyone special supporting our mission. lP ease contact us at 1-805964 or visit our website at www.MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org for more information. Everything we do for you comes with no cost or obligation.

All Smiles on Youth Appreciation Day!

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u are older than 70 ½ and have a traditional IRA, a QualiThed Charitable Distribution (QCD) is usually the number one way to e to the Masonic Children’s oH me. You avoid tax on any amount given from your IRA to charity, which is like getting a free tax duction. Yes, its’ more icated than writing a check, but onceof you do, youDiscovery wil never look back. lP ease contact e Masonic AcomplSummer ities O ce of MissiThe on Advancement opment (previously known as the O ce of Gitook lP anning) afor a FREE QCD iK t, boysandofDevel Dougherty Cottage n talk to your advisummer sor about dividifield ng up yourtrip QCD amongtoyourthe favoriteWhitaker charities, including theCenter Masonic Childfor ren’s oH me. ReScience and the Arts in Harrisburg. mber, if you don’t need your Required Minimum Distribution, then turning it into a QCD is an added beneTht. l Chew is a Masonic iV l age resident who decided to create a QCD in support of the kids at the children’s home. Financial fessionals suggested a QCD to her, and she decided to donate in memory of her husband, Charles. les and Carol met while golThng at Masonic iV l age, and were married for 15 years. Carol remembers Charles by his generous and ess spirit and wanted to honor him. howed true kindness and was a beautiful person,” Carol said. “He had always loved children, having four sons of his own and ntored kids who faced di culties in his free time during retirement.” eW can help you create a QCD to achieve your goals while pporting our mission. lP ease contact us at 1-805964 or visit our website at www.MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org for more ormation. Everything we do for you comes with no cost or obligation.

Thank You ALL GIFTS GIVEN JAN. 1 - APRIL. 30

SCHOLAR DONORS

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MENTOR GraceHarkins

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HONOREE

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Sebastian David Burrier

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Kirk S. Hinkley, Sr.

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arbara B opchin K

Daniel P. Martin

Thomasandinda L Schmidt

The Family Who Helped Me

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inancia informa on about Masonic Vi age can be obtained by contac ng us at l 55 2 2 In addi on Masonic Chari is required to fi e financia informa on with severa states Co orado Co orado residents may obtain copies of registra on and financia documents from the office of the Secretary of State •1 1 l52 0 l http www sos state co us orida SC N 442 A COPY O THE O ICIAL REGISTRATION AND INANCIAL IN ORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED ROM THE DIVISION O CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL REE WITHIN THE STATE l HELP LA Georgia fu and fair descrip on the programs and ac vi es of Masonic Chari es and its financia statement are avai ab e upon request at the address indicated above I inois Contracts and reports regarding Masonic Chari es are on fi e with the I inois Attorney Genera Mary and or th cost of postage and copying documents and informa on fi ed under the Mary and charitab e organiza ons aws can be obtained from the Secretary of State Charitab e Division State House Annapo is MD 0 2 •l l0 2 Michigan MICS No Mississippi The officia registra on and financia informa on of Masonic Chari es may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State s office by ca ing lll 01 4 New Jersey IN ORMATION ILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE O CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED ROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BY CALLING •541 2 0 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 atest annua report can be obtained from the organiza on or from the Office of the Attorney Genera by wri ng the Chari es Bureau 0 Broadway New York NY 04 North Caro ina inancia informa on about this organiza on and a copy of its icense are avai ab e from the State So icita on Licensing Branch at lll l1 25l5 Pennsy vania The officia registra on and financia informa on of Masonic Chari es may be obtained from the Pennsy vania Department of State by ca ing to free within Pennsy vania l 410 5 Virginia inancia statements are avai ab e from the State Office of Consumer Affairs P O Box 1 Richmond VA 010 l Washington The no ce of so icia on required by the Charitab e So icita on Act is on fi e with the Washington Secretary of State and informa on re a ng to financia affairs of Masonic Chari es is avai ab e from the Secretary of State and the to free number for Washington residents l 110 22l1 West Virginia West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registra on and financia documents from the Secretary of State State Capito Char eston WV 0 1 REGISTRATION IN THE ABOVE STATES DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION O MASONIC CHARITIES BY THE STATE

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Ralph Austin

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Walter D. Tabor III

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MASONIC CHILDREN'S HOME Masonic Charities Office of Mission Advancement and Development One Masonic Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2219

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