Ohio Special Olympics
The following is the awards program for the “Sponsor-An-Athlete” program for 2009:
- A donation of $500 to $999.00 from a lodge will receive a certificate signed by the Grand Master and Special Olympics. This certificate will be given to the lodge at the Registration table of Grand Lodge 2009.
- BRONZE MEDAL AWARD: A donation of $1000 to $1499.00 will receive a Special Olympics Medal plaque presented by the Grand Master at Grand Lodge.
- SILVER MEDAL AWARD: A donation of $1500 to $1999.00 will receive a Special Olympics Medal plaque presented by the Grand Master at Grand Lodge.
- GOLD MEDAL AWARD: A donation of $2000.00 or more will receive a Special Olympics Medal plaque presented by the Grand Master at Grand Lodge.
- The “Jerry C. Rasor Award” will be presented at Grand Lodge by the Grand Master to the lodge that raises the most money contributed to the “Sponsor-an-Athlete” program for 2009.
News and Views from the Special Olympics Committee
Greetings from your committee on Special Olympics. As we begin another year of fundraising for the Special Olympics Sponsor-an-Athlete program, we are surrounded by economic problems. We have good news: The Grand Master has announced no cut-backs in any of our Charity Programs. This means that every Mason in the Grand Lodge will have extra work to do for the 2009 Masonic year. We hope that your lodge has already programmed fundraising events for the coming year.
We have met with Brother Jim Sasak, of Lake Shore Lodge, and he has confirmed that he will again make a special, “Masonry In Motion” ride on his bicycle, to raise awareness of both the “Reach” program of the Grand Lodge and our continued support for Special Olympics. He will ride from Lake Shore Lodge in Cuyahoga County around the entire perimeter of the State through 37 of Ohio’s 88 counties. This is a distance of approximately 1500 miles. He plans to stop in each County seat to visit with local Masons, Special Olympics Athletes and the Media. Watch for more information coming later on this great undertaking by Brother Sasak.
I have talked with Brother David Strohmeier from the Widow’s Sons of the Ohio Grand Chapter Riders Association. Their group has a road rally planned for July which will include Motorcycle riders from 7 states. They plan to raise money for Special Olympics, which is the group’s chosen charity.
Bike rides, both man-powered and motor powered, car shows, lodge dinners, and other special fundraising events are all needed to support this worthwhile cause. There will be more information coming on these and other fundraising events planned thru-out the Grand Lodge of Ohio. It already looks like we will have another exciting year for Special Olympics. As most of you know, the Athletes will need our help now more than ever before. If your lodge has a special event coming up, please let us know. Email the details to me at Mccecil@aol.com, or call me at 419-886-2181.
Fraternally,
Michael D. Cecil PDDGM
Chairman