This CHIP event was a real community effort since it was co-sponsored by Fulton County Parks and Recreation Commission with assistance from Orrstown Lodge No. 262; Job's Daughters Bethel No. 16; Fulton Chapter No. 519, O.E.S.; Martha Custis Chapter No. 342, O.E.S.; Fulton County Partnership; Fulton County Center for Families; and Tri-State Community Health Center.

We were very pleased to provide parents with 86 ID kits for their children.

On Nov. 17, 2010, Robert Burns Lodge No. 464, Harrisburg, hosted a Special Meeting for lodges of Masonic District 2 and Harrisburg area Prince Hall Masonic lodges. Bro. Scott T. Matincheck, District Deputy Grand Master for District 2, made the special meeting part of his official visitations. Nearly 100 Masons participated in the meeting, which included a presentation about Prince Hall Masonry.

Bro. Harry J. Beers, P.M., Whitfield Lodge No. 622, Tatamy, could not believe his good fortune this Christmas. After 16 failed matches for a kidney transplant, finally on Dec. 22, 2010, he received the call that changed his life. A successful kidney transplant was completed the very next day at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest. Four days later, Dec. 27, 2010, St. John's Day, Bro. Beers returned home a very happy and grateful man.

Bro. Beers has a long history of involvement with the Masonic fraternity. His journey began in Whitfield Lodge No. 622 in 1969. He progressed through the chairs, including Worshipful Master. He also became involved in numerous York and Scottish Rite bodies, and served as Commander-in-Chief of the Valley of Allentown from 2005-2007. In 1999, Bro. Beers received the 33º at Atlantic City, N.J.

Bro. Beers began his journey to the transplant on Nov. 10, 2006, when he was diagnosed with a rare disease, microscopic polyangitis, which destroyed his kidneys. Less than a year later, in September 2007, he began peritoneal dialysis, a daily 10-hour procedure required to stay alive. By October 2007, he was officially placed on the transplant list. Mrs. Beers and a few Masonic brethren volunteered to be tested as potential kidney donors, to no avail. Finally, after nearly four years, a successful match became available. Just a few weeks after the transplant, Bro. Beers described his status as "splendid!"

Bro. Beers' journey highlights the continual need for organ donations. The Masonic Organ Donor Program began in 1996 during the term of R.W. Past Grand Master Edward O. Weisser. Each succeeding Grand Master has actively endorsed this program. What a great opportunity for Masons to help their fellow man! If you have never signed an organ donor card, please consider doing so as soon as possible. Lives depend on viable transplants. Help others by becoming an organ donor.