Home's Grown Kids - Winter 2024 by Masonic Villages

home’s grown

WINTER 2024

Proudly Paying It Forward

College Graduate Credits Children’s Home for Growth Alex Diahn, a Masonic Children’s Home alumnus, recently celebrated his college graduation, but that’s just the start for him. Alex graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in business management (with a human resources concentration) from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. He currently lives in West Chester with Amos Kollie, another recent college graduate from the children’s home. Alex is working on his master’s degree in information technology from Bloomsburg University. He anticipates graduating in May 2025.

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WINTER 2024

“The children’s home taught me how to hold myself accountable in every aspect of my life. I look at the selfdiscipline I have today, and I know it stems from my time there,” Alex said. “Time management, scheduling and always having a routine — the houseparents did a great job of instilling that in us at a young age. That helped me be the way I am now.”

Alex hopes to have a future career in data analytics or information technology. “It’s a challenging career,” he said. “The combination of information technology and human resources is the perfect blend for me. I like the analytical part of it.” Alex arrived at the children’s home at age 9 in the fourth grade. He graduated from Elizabethtown Area High School in 2019. He enjoyed running track, playing basketball

Alex (right) plays video games with Amos at the children’s home in 2019.

The relationships he cultivated with his house parents, as well as his peers in the different cottages, was what Alex appreciated most about living at the children’s home. “That’s what I miss — the friendships and chatting with the houseparents every day and hanging out with the guys in our rooms playing video games,” he said. “I still keep in touch with many of them.”

and football and being part of the mini “thon” club at school. “It was a great schooling experience,” he said. “The teachers were terrific. I received a better education than I would have staying in my hometown [of Philadelphia].”

“My time at the children’s home was great,” he added. “I made friends that will last a lifetime. It was a good experience. Although you may miss your home, you need to look at the long-term picture of being at the children’s home. It all makes sense as you get older, but I’m grateful for the time I spent there.”

Umbaugh Cottage houseparent Hope Painter took the girls to the Escape Room in Hershey. They used teamwork to solve a series of puzzles in time to find the key to unlock the room. Without your support, these activities wouldn’t be possible!

HOME’S GROWN KIDS

Teambuilding Together

WINTER 2024

If you are older than 70 ½ and have a traditional IRA, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is usually the number one way to give to the Masonic Children’s Home. You avoid tax on any amount given from your IRA to charity, which is like getting a free tax deduction. Yes, it’s more complicated than writing a check, but once you do, you wil never look back. Please contact The Masonic Charities Office of Mission Advancement and Development (previously known as the Office of Gift Planning) for a FREE QCD Kit, then talk to your advisor about dividing up your QCD among your favorite charities, including the Masonic Children’s Home. Remember, if you don’t need your Required Minimum Distribution, then turning it into a QCD is an added benefit. Carol Chew is a Masonic Vil 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. Charles and Carol met while golfing at Masonic Vil age, and were married for 15 years. Carol remembers Charles by his generous and selfless spirit and wanted to honor him. “He showed true kindness and was a beautiful person,” Carol said. “He had always loved children, having four sons of his own and mentored kids who faced difficulties in his free time during retirement.” We can help you create a QCD to achieve your goals while supporting our mission. Please contact us at 1-800-599-6454 or visit our website at www.MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org for more information. Everything we do for you comes with no cost or obligation.

Children’s Home Alumnus Proudly Pays It Forward Kenny Henry admits he was an “unconventional” resident at the Masonic Children’s Home, arriving at age 18 and signing himself into the home. “I got in touch with the children’s home through friends of mine,” Kenny said. “I had completed two years of high school, and the goal was to get my diploma, so I was presented with the option [to go to the home].” He graduated from Elizabethtown Area High School in 2006.

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WINTER 2024

Already practically an adult, Kenny said the children’s home gave him a stable home life and the guidance he needed. That led to him being the first and only person to become a Freemason while living at the children’s home.

“One of the reasons I joined Freemasonry is because everything at the children’s home comes from fraternal donations and contributions, and it felt like the right thing to do, to give back and support the next group of children,” he said. In 2005, Kenny joined the Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682, which meets on the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown campus.

Kenny (middle) with former Masonic Villages CEO Joseph Murphy (left) and Mark Kurzenknabe (right), executive director of the Masonic Children’s Home.

overseas in Iraq,” he said. “When I was home on leave, before we deployed the first of two times, they threw me a big party.” His lodge brothers also sent him cards and care packages to show their support. “I did lack a conventional ‘family,’ but knowing there were people back home who cared about me meant a lot,” he said.

In between his junior and senior year of high school, Kenny also decided to enlist in the U.S. Army, with the guarantee that once he received his high school diploma, he would ship off to basic training.

If you listen to the house parents and do what’s expected of you academically and socially, the children’s home will provide you with a good foundation to live your life, according to Kenny.

“The children’s home supported me while I was away and deployed

He is especially grateful to Buzz Cash, former director of the children’s

home; Joe Murphy, former CEO of Masonic Villages; and Mark Kurzenknabe, current executive director of the children’s home, for being mentors and his biggest fans. “The children’s home helps you go to college, but there’s more that it provides,” Kenny said. “They gave me a sense of normalcy, family and belonging. They offered tutoring, sports, etc. I took advantage of everything they gave me and used it to the best of my ability. I would not be where I am today without the children’s home.” Today, Kenny lives in Williamsport, PA, is medically retired from the Army and works for UGI Utilities.

He has been married for 14 years and has a 6-year-old son.

Now, Kenny tries to pay it forward, advocating for the children’s home at different lodges and events. “People hear a lot about retirement living, but the children’s home is more of a secret,” he said. “It’s literally Masonic Village’s best kept secret. The word doesn’t get out enough.” Kenny, his son, Carter, and wife, Alisha. (top) Kenny and Alisha after his second tour in Iraq. (above)

HOME’S GROWN KIDS

WINTER 2024

“No matter what successes or accomplishments I have, it all stems back to the stability of the children’s home and the opportunities I was given,” he said. “Whatever I do in my life, I look back at those times and those men and the fraternity — they paved the path to where I am now, and I’m forever grateful.”

ou are older than 70 ½ and have a traditional IRA, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is usually the number one way to give to the Masonic Children’s Home. You avoid tax on any amount given from your IRA to charity, which is like getting a free tax deductio r advisor about dividing up your QCD among your favorite charities, including the Masonic Children’s Home. Remember, if you don’t need your Required Minimum Distribution, then turning it into a QCD is an added benefit. ol Chew is a Masonic Vil 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. arles and Carol met while golfing at Masonic Vil age, and were married for 15 years. Carol remembers Charles by his generous and selfless spirit and wanted to honor him. showed true kindness and was a beautiful person,” Carol said. “He had always loved children, having four sons of his own and mentored kids who faced difficulties in his free time during retirement.” We can help you create a QCD to achieve your goals while support

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

HOME’S GROWN KIDS

WINTER 2024

To celebrate the season, youth enjoyed Christmas dinner and attended church services.

on. Yes, it’s more complicated than writing a check, but once you do, you wil never look back. Please contact The Masonic Charities Office of Mission Advancement and Development (previously known as the Office of Gift Planning) for a FREE QCD Kit, then talk to

ting our mission. Please contact us at 1-800-599-6454 or visit our website at www.MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org for more information. Everything we do for you comes with no cost or obligation.

Message to Our Donors Support from donors will always be the cornerstone of the mission of the Masonic Children’s Home. To make the best use of this generosity, donor names will no longer be published in Home’s Grown Kids. We will continue to recognize donor names in the Annual Report of those meeting the giving level requirements for this publication. We appreciate your ongoing support.

Masonic Charities Update

NEW Charitable Gift Annuity Rates

FOR ONE LIFE Age Rate 65 5.7% 70 6.3% 75 7% 77 7.4% 81 8.3% 85 9.1% 90+ 10.1%

FOR TWO LIVES Age Rate 55 & 65 4.6% 70 & 70 5.5% 75 & 80 6.5% 85 & 85 8.1% 85 & 90 8.7% 90 & 90 9.8% 90 & 95 9.9%

Note: This is a partial listing. Rates exist for any combination of ages.

View our charitable solicitation disclosures by scanning the QR code or visiting MasonicCharitiesPa.org.

Masonic Charities include: Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, Masonic Villages, Masonic Children’s Home and the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation.

WINTER 2024

NEW HIGHER RATES!

HOME’S GROWN KIDS

If you are looking for a way to secure your future, a gift annuity is a simple contract between you and the Masonic Charities. You fund it with cash or stock (minimum of $5,000), and we agree to send you a fixed payment each quarter for as long as you live. You can fund one for yourself or for another person, and payments last as long as either of you live. The minimum age for a single beneficiary is 65, and for a two-life annuity, ages 65 and 55.

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

You’re helping our youth achieve great things! Thank you for your support.