Outreach Thanks You for Success
By Bro. John Suchanec, Outreach Director

The Masonic Homes' Outreach Program has been meeting the needs of Pennsylvania Masons for more than eight years. During that time, Outreach has helped young and old, men and women, Masons and those who are not Masons. Our hand has been offered to those in need, experiencing financial distress, faced with fear, and uncertain where help can be found.

How does Outreach learn of someone in need? How is our offer of help made known to our community? Brother, it's you. You are our contact in your community. You are our eyes and ears where want resides. Suffering and pain exists where you exist. And you are the conduit that brings relief. Your interest and devotion bring us to that place where consolation is needed.

So, we begin by saying, "Thank you." Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for watching and listening when those around you need help. Thank you for bringing them to us. And most of all, thank you for counting on Outreach to help meet the needs of those whom you know are suffering.

Let me tell just a little of what Outreach has done because of you.

We've helped a young family find funding for nursing care for their teenage daughter. Thirteen years old and in a coma, this young girl's life has been permanently altered as has her family's. Because of our brothers, we advocated on her behalf to find 16 hours of daily nursing care that up until then had been provided entirely by the family. We organized a drive to supply non-perishable items for their use. And we've assisted in the acquisition of other services including counseling, financial help, and durable medical equipment.

Outreach is helping families with medical expenses. It's no secret that drug costs have soared far beyond reasonable amounts that would permit seniors on limited incomes to pay for them. We frequently encounter seniors who find that they must stop taking prescribed medication because they have no means of paying for it.

Our collaboration with physicians and drug companies has facilitated a reduction in monthly drug bills for many persons. Frequently, pharmaceutical companies offer gratis drugs. Other times they provide grants or reduced prices. Outreach has worked closely with parties to bring relief of this burden. In some cases Outreach has provided financial assistance to purchase prescription drugs.

There's more. We've helped move several individuals from their homes in other parts of the country to their new residences at the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown and the Masonic Village at Sewickley. In some cases, we arranged land transportation. At other times, we coordinated air transportation. When the need is demonstrated and documented, financial assistance may be available.

Outreach doesn't exist in a vacuum. We rely on calls from our brothers to let us know where the needs are. You help us meet our mission.

Outreach offers direction. We provide a phone number for a senior center, a list of assisted living facilities, or a call to the local support group. We help people find the services they need to help themselves.

Outreach offers education. We go to lodges to speak of our mission. We bring life to our deeds by showing you, our brethren, what we do for you.

Outreach offers financial relief. We help families experiencing financial distress. When a family is in crisis, and when that need is demonstrated, Outreach provides the means to move beyond that and create a plan to improve a life. It may be through an appropriate referral or by providing financial help.

Whatever we do, we do it all because of you. Your action, your interest, your concern about and for our brothers helps us meet our mission. Thank you!