18 minute read
Philanthropy
Two Masonic youth organizations are managing to stay socially connected during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in a safe way. Pennsylvania DeMolay, comprised of 17 local chapters, was scheduled to host its annual convention the weekend of July 18, but instead of in person, the event took place virtually, was streamed online at PADemolay.org and simulcast live through Facebook. “It was important to the kids to present a sense of normalcy to everything that DeMolay does,” said David Labagh, Director of Convention for PA DeMolay. They conducted the main business of DeMolay, including the installation of their new officers for the next calendar year, which is typically the biggest part of the convention. Rather than the typical three-day event, the convention was condensed into less than two hours on July 18, David said. “We wanted to be cognizant of the kids not wanting to have a three-hour business meeting online. Portions of the convention were prerecorded to keep things within a time limit.” David said the live portions of the convention remained meaningful, including the presentation of the Advisor of the Year Award and the installation of two new State Master Councilors. “DeMolay is doing everything it can to provide a sense of stability and continuity for its membership during these uncertain times,” said newly installed State Master Councilor Joseph Bell. “The convention reminded our membership that even though we’re going through this pandemic, we’re still here, we’re still doing things, we’re still engaging. It’s just a different medium.” The convention typically attracts 80-100 DeMolay and upwards of 350 people for the banquet, where youth, Masonic dignitaries, advisors, friends and family attend. There was no banquet this year, but also no cost or required travel. Still, over 140 attended virtually. The youth leaders planned a Super Mario Smash Brothers
A special “Thank You” to donors, whose support has provided access to the virtual platforms needed to keep youth, as well as adult mentors, engaged and inspired during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tournament and a Kahoot Contest after the business meeting to replace what they usually do on site. PA DeMolay has been conducting its local chapter meetings through Zoom over the past three months with much success, interaction and engagement, David said. “They [the kids] are getting creative about how they host meetings,” he said. “They are taking what we have traditionally done and putting a creative twist on it.” The Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Pennsylvania held a “Virtual Day” on Zoom in June to replace their typical in-person social weekend at Patton campus. “It included what we normally do at our weekend event: yoga, games, singing, grand officer interviews,” said Helen Snedden, Supreme Inspector for PA Rainbow for Girls. The Grand Assembly, which was held virtually from the Altoona Masonic Center on July 10 and 11, was comprised of a combination of videos, slide shows and broadcasts via Facebook and YouTube. Three hundred and forty people registered for the event. Typically, about 500 people attend the annual convention, which is usually held Wednesday through Sunday. “We eliminated the parts [of the assembly] that we can’t do in public, like ritual and Initiation.” Helen said. “The girls held tryouts and picked who would be in the virtual talent show. We’ve made lemonade out of lemons this summer, rather than canceling the event.” Calista Cavanaugh, Grand Worthy Advisor for PA Rainbow, said everyone was very excited to experience their first-ever virtual Grand Assembly. “Since there’s no ritual, the entire session was open to everybody, which is exciting for prospects. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was great.” Many of the 24 assemblies that make up PA Rainbow have been meeting on Zoom every other week since the pandemic started. “They are hoping to do something in person by the fall, depending on the guidelines, like a small gathering at a local park,” Helen said. “Nothing is coming to a standstill.”
Preparing for a Lifetime of Helping Others
If there’s one thing Leon Allen has learned over the past six years, it’s to hold an appreciation for the opportunities he’s been given. As a 2020 Elizabethtown Area High School and Masonic Children’s Home graduate, Leon feels not only grateful for where he is at, but has gone above and beyond to make the most of his future. Leon first came to the children’s home in the seventh grade. He was raised in Darby, PA, by his mother, who worked long hours to make ends meet. She thought it was best for him to be in a more stable environment, like the children’s home. “My mom knew that I would get in trouble at school,” Leon explained. “Where I was living in Philly, I would always be on the streets outside. I would always be running around doing stupid things ... maybe never really doing anything to get in trouble, but I’d always be on the streets.” What Leon found at the children’s home was completely different from what he was used to, but it helped him tremendously. Part of the change he experienced after joining the children’s home “family” was the people and opportunities that helped him grow. “When I came to Masonic, it kind of turned things around,” Leon said. “It made me think twice about things.” As he moved into high school, Leon said it was an important part of his growth to get a job. When he turned 16, Leon applied for his first job as a dishwasher on the Masonic Village campus. Comparing this to where he lived before, he was grateful for the opportunity to find a steady, well-paying job, which helped him save for a car and his future education. “I don’t think that I would have gotten a job if I was still living where I was. I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities living in the city,” he recalled. Leon also benefited from opportunities to help others grow during his internship at a local elementary school, where he helped the students with their homework and had fun with them during an unstructured free time that was built into their daily schedule. “Every day, [the kids] would come and surround me,” Leon said. “I just enjoyed the kids. There was this one kid who never finished his homework, but I could always get him to do it.” At the children’s home, Leon had plenty of time for his own adventures, many of them sports related. He played high school
football during his freshman, junior and senior years. He was a running back during his last season on the team. Leon also enjoyed playing basketball with his housemates. He would often play outside all day at Weller Cottage on the weekends. Recognizing the opportunities that living at the home gave him, Leon tried to instill an appreciation for a second chance at life into the younger kids. “What the Masons and other donors give is a blessing, because not everybody has the opportunity I have, and I’m so grateful for this,” he said. Leon is looking forward to being able to attend college debt-free through the scholarships made available to him by the fraternity and other donors who have seen value in him all along. While Leon is saying goodbye to what he knows at the children’s home, his memories will last a lifetime. He’s excited for what awaits him in the future. Keeping with his life’s mantra of helping others grow, Leon plans on majoring in physical education at East Stroudsburg University and joining the football team. With any new experience comes uncertainty, but Leon remains optimistic. “I’m scared of not knowing where I’ll be in five years or what I’ll be doing,” he says, “but I’m excited to meet new people and make college memories.” Regardless of where Leon’s path takes him, he has confidence knowing he has loved ones at the children’s home watching over him.
Board member feature: John F. Pyfer, Jr.
A member of Lodge No. 43, Lancaster, Brother John F. Pyfer, Jr. has served on the Masonic Villages board of directors since December 2016. He lends his expertise as an Administrator of the Pension Plan, Trustee of the Consolidated Fund, a member of the Financial, Gift Planning and Human Resources subcommittees and as board chair for Masonic Village Home Health and Hospice. “I became a Mason because my father was one of the founding members of Andrew H. Hershey Lodge (which later merged with Lodge No. 43),” John said. “He was the person in this world whom I most respected, and it meant a great deal to him when I expressed a desire to join.” While his father rarely missed a meeting, John became more involved upon retirement, when he learned his lodge needed committee members to help in various capacities. His involvement grew quickly. Last summer, he was honored with the 33º in Milwaukee. “I know my father is smiling from above,” John said. Career-wise, John followed in the footsteps of his greatgrandfather, Lt. Col. and Mayor of Lancaster Frederick S. Pyfer. John is the founder (1976) and retired President of Pyfer Partners, P.C., Lancaster. His practice focused primarily on family law but also served clients with personal injury claims, estate planning and probate needs. John is a graduate of Haverford College and Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, TN, (1972), where he received the Dean’s Award for the most outstanding senior writer. He also received the Howard C. Schwab Award from the American Bar Association for submitting the best essay dealing with family matters. John was the founder and first President of the W. Hensel Brown American Inn of Court. His articles have been published in a number of law reviews, and many of his courtroom openings and summations have been published in various journals and treatises. He is listed in Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. Named the top-ranked attorney in Lancaster, PA, for six successive years and by Philadelphia Magazine as one of Pennsylvania’s “Super Lawyers,” John was featured in SIR Magazine, Lancaster County Magazine and The Pennsylvania Lawyer. Active in Boy Scouts of America (BSA) throughout his life, John is a Distinguished Eagle Scout and a recipient of numerous Scouting awards, including the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope and Silver Buffalo. He is a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and has been President of the Lancaster-Lebanon Boy Scout Council and Area IV of the Northeast Region of the Boy Scouts. He serves on the Northeast Region Advisory Board and the National BSA Committee. John is past President of the Willow Street Lions Club, an Elder and past President of the Willow Street United Church of Christ, a former board member of the Samaritan Counseling Center and a past Chairman of the Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County. A member the Sons of the American Revolution, John is an honorary member of the Willow Street Fire Company, Chairman of the board of directors for the Lancaster County Conservancy and a member of the board of directors for the Masonic Center of Lancaster County. In his spare time, John collects Boy Scout memorabilia and Lancaster County tall case clocks. In 2005, John turned his passion into a business when he and his son, Brother John III “Trey,” founded Little Brook Orchids, now the largest orchid grower in the Northeast for retail and wholesale markets. Married for more than 50 years to his wife, Carol, they also have a daughter, Carrie, and are the proud grandparents of 3-month-old Veda Louise.
Life is unpredictable.
Let Us Be Your Foundation.
Your retirement years should be all you've hoped and planned for. Masonic Village can provide peace of mind during trying times, so you can continue to thrive and enjoy life, even amidst a pandemic. Put your concerns to rest, because you have a team of people who care about you. Inside the safety and security of our beautiful campuses, all necessary services are available - and if needed, delivered to your doorstep - so you can live worry-free. In good times and bad, it takes a Masonic Village.
Join Us for a Virtual Presentation! Call the community you’re interested in below for available times: Masonic Village at Dallas: 570-446-5658 Masonic Village at Elizabethtown: 717-473-0614 Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill: 484-535-3119 Masonic Village at Sewickley: 724-242-5099
Some Income Tax Highlights from the New CARES Act
The economic stimulus provisions of the CARES Act are crucial to saving our economy during this crisis. There are a couple of provisions that you should be aware of in planning your own financial affairs when we finally get out from under this locked-down economy. Here are the highlights from the Act that are most relevant for charitable planning:
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No RMD in 2020 - For the current year, the requirement that anyone age 70½ (or age 72 beginning this year) or older receives a required minimum distribution (RMD) is suspended. Many charities, including our charities, rely substantially on qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), which are tax-free for donors. Although directing an RMD to charity as a QCD to save on tax is not required this year, it is not forbidden to request a distribution from your IRA to charity anyway and avoid the tax. For many, this method may still be the best way to give to charity if you don’t itemize your taxes. Non-itemizer Donation Relief - Contributions of up to $300 are now allowed as an “above the line” deduction starting in 2020. This permits individuals who would otherwise get no
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tax benefit for charitable contributions due to the inability to itemize to realize a tax benefit. So, everyone who files a tax return should consider giving at least $300 to charity this year. Dollar-for-Dollar Deductions for Itemizers - For taxpayers who do itemize deductions, the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitation on charitable contributions is removed for 2020. The current limitation is 60% for cash gifts. For 2020, individual taxpayers can deduct charitable contributions up to 100% of AGI. Any additional contributions not deducted in 2020 can be carried forward to offset income in the future for five years. For those wanting to make a large cash gift to their
favorite charity or to fund a charitable gift annuity (CGA) or charitable remainder trust (CRT), this is the year.
For more information on the new CARES Act, call 1-800-599-6454 and ask to speak to a Gift Planning Officer near you, or email us at giving@masonicvillages.org.
Qty Item Masonic Village at Dallas 1 Park bench 1 Phillips HeadStart AED (defibrillator) Masonic Village at Elizabethtown 244 Fluoride treatments 14 Hair care service gift cards for residents who exhausted funds 4 Massages for pain 4 All-weather courtyard armchairs (set of 4) 1 Sensory LED bubble wall 1 3-D printer 1 Living room matching end tables 1 Clubhouse Library 1 Masonic Health Care Center Library 1 Grand Lodge Hall Library 1 Blanket warmer 1 Digital grand piano 1 Chair scale Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill 10 Eversound Headset Systems 1 Jukebox 1 Upright piano Masonic Village at Sewickley 1 Portable sound system for RL Dining Room 1 Outdoor movie screen and projector 1 Recording technology system 1 Nordic wellness chair 1 “It’s Never 2 Late” computer system 1 Replace Assembly Room projector Masonic Village at Warminster 1 Enlarge small pond in courtyard Masonic Village Home Care 20 Home Care gift certificates Masonic Village Hospice Gift card to local grocery store delivery Gift card to local spa Donation for transportation cost Hospitality cart supplies Masonic Children’s Home 1 Indoor flag and flag stand 1 Podium and microphone 1 Electronic equipment
$800 $1,275
$20 $25
$200 $1,450 $8,000
$1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $8,500 $9,000 $10,000
$35,000
$50
$75 $100 $100 $100
$300 $300 $500
MASONIC VILLAGES’ 2020 WISH LIST OFFICE OF GIFT PLANNING 1-800-599-6454
Thank you to the following individuals, lodges and organizations that have made a difference in the lives of our residents through the Wish List. Gifts were made between Jan. 1 - Apr. 30, 2020:
MASONIC VILLAGE AT DALLAS Clayton J. and Theresa Karambelas
MASONIC VILLAGE AT ELIZABETHTOWN
W. Clark and Nancy Biehl Anne K. Gratz Susan K. Joines Kane Lodge No. 566 Donna J. Rentzel Masonic Village at Elizabethtown Retirement Living Residents’ Association Henry F. Scheck, Jr. Marilyn E. Sheldon David C. Sheldon Mark A. and Judith R. Townsend Arlene S. Von Nieda Luther A. and Kimberly A. Zarfoss, II
MASONIC VILLAGE AT WARMINSTER
Lodge No. 9
MASONIC VILLAGE HOSPICE
Sherwood L. and Jean A. Kneebone
MASONIC CHILDREN’S HOME Wayne M. and Nancylee Garafola Ronald A. and Judy A. McKnight
There is an all-inclusive wish list posted on MasonicCharitiesPA.org, or feel free to contact the Office of Gift Planning at 1-800-599-6454. Please note that if funds donated for any item listed are over-subscribed, the funds will be used for additional wish list items or needs in the same service area.
“The CGA benefits my charity, and I get tax deductions from it. I never have to worry about the ups and downs of the stock market, and all my
monthly bills are paid.” - Anne Gratz
If you are like Anne, you may be tired of the fluctuating stock markets, tired of paying high income taxes and concerned that if you sold your appreciated assets, you would pay taxes on the capital gains.
Here is a Solution!
A Charitable Gift Annuity with the Masonic Charities is simple, versatile and accessible to many donors over the age of 65. It provides you with secure, partially tax-free fixed income for your life and/or a spouse or child over the age of 55 AND provides a tax deduction. Plus, it’s an easy way to create a meaningful legacy to the Masonic Charities. After your passing, the remaining balance from your gift will go to support the work of the Masonic Charities.
It’s easy:
1. Decide on the amount of your gift (minimum $5,000) and the type of asset you will use to fund your gift annuity (cash, stocks, mutual funds, etc.) or if you would like the convenience of purchasing an annuity with your credit card to gain rewards. 2. Call 1-800-599-6454 to speak with a Gift Planning Officer or email us at Giving@MasonicCharities.org.
SAMPLE GUARANTEED LIFETIME RATES
For One Life For Two Lives
Age Rate Age Rate 70 4.7% 70 & 75 4.3% 75 5.4% 75 & 80 4.9% 77 5.8% 85 & 85 6.5% 81 6.7% 85 & 90 7.1% 85 7.6% 90 & 90 8.2% 90+ 8.6% 90 & 95 8.4% Note: This is a partial listing. Rates exist for any combination of ages.
COMPLETE AND MAIL THIS FORM TO:
Office of Gift Planning, One Masonic Dr., Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Telephone 1-800-599-6454 I would like more information, with no obligation. Please: Send me a Charitable Gift Annuity illustration. Name(s)__________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________ Telephone: ( ) ______________________________________________ Email:___________________________________________________________ My birth date____________ Spouse’s birth date____________ (if two lives) Dollar amount(s) to be illustrated (up to three amounts)_________________ _________________________________________________________________ If using appreciated stock, estimate cost basis__________________________ Call me about using my credit card to purchase my annuity. Phone ( ) __________________________
www.MasonicCharitiesPa.org
Financial information about Masonic Charities 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. Virginia: Financial statements are available from the State Office of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: The notice of solicitation required by the Charitable Solicitation Act is on file with the Washington Secretary of State, and information relating to financial affairs of Masonic Charities is available from the Secretary of State, and the toll-free number for Washington residents: 1-800-332-4483. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. REGISTRATION IN THE ABOVE STATES DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION OF MASONIC CHARITIES BY THE STATE.
