Supporting Growing Military Families

More than 50 moms-to-be who are in the military, or whose partners are in the military, were invited to a Help for Our Heroes Baby Shower held at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown on April 21.

Those invited included three moms expecting twins and one dad whose wife gave birth prematurely.

They were showered with gifts, including a baby monitor, blanket, thermometer, diapers, a box of toys, a travel system (stroller and infant car seat) and a $200 gift card from buybuy BABY.

The event included brunch, maternal and baby health information and shower games, with prizes and expressions of gratitude for attendees’ service.

Amy Thomas, family advocacy nurse from the Joint Base in New Jersey, and Teresa Rychlak, assistant director of child passenger safety, Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provided important health and safety information for a baby’s early months. Special thanks to Brother Harry Rutter, William L. Elkins Lodge No. 271, Philadelphia, for helping with a demonstration on reducing stress.

Co-emcees Brother Sam Freeman, District Deputy Grand Master-District C, and Alicia Richards, abc27 anchor, led the program. Guest speakers included retired Brigadier General Brother Wilbur Wolf, Eureka-West Shore Lodge No. 302, Mechanicsburg, and retired Major General Brother Marvin Jay Barry, Richard Vaux Brotherhood Lodge No. 126, Philadelphia. Volunteers from local lodges helped distribute the gifts and load the attendees’ cars at the end.

Special recognition goes to retired Colonel Brother Harris Brooks, who has spearheaded these military baby showers for 15 years.
R.W. Grand Master Larry Derr introduced special guest Haylie Brown, a recent graduate of Juniata Valley High School in Mifflintown. Last fall, Haylie chose as her senior project to plan a craft show to raise money for Help for Our Heroes, thanks to a recommendation from her uncle, Brother Michael McConaughey, Mount Union Lodge No. 688, who is a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves. Haylie, assisted by community participation and support, raised $8,000. Grand Master Derr recognized all those who make Help for Our Heroes a priority.

“The support of our district and lodge leaders and all the members who contribute to Help for Our Heroes, and this baby shower event in particular, is greatly appreciated,” he said. “It’s a huge surprise for the guests, and the greatest part is it’s all charitable money that goes to the support of these expectant mothers and military members.”

Branches represented included the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army National Guard and Air Force Guard, with families from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, as well as Harrisburg, Horsham, Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania.

Edward Amon has served in the PA Air National Guard out of Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville for four years. He and his wife, Imani, are expecting their first child. Since they’re away from family, Imani was worried about being alone during this new chapter in their lives.

“It was nice to be invited,” she said. “It means a lot. Everything was very surprising.”

“It was amazing and really humbling,” Edward said. “We didn’t expect this magnitude of generosity. A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone!”

Hailey Rutt has served more than 10 years with the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the United States Air Force, Air National Guard, in Middletown.

“It is so helpful to receive the support and the gifts from the baby shower while waiting for my baby girl to arrive,” she said. “What an amazing event for our members. It definitely relieves so much stress off parents and allows them to sit back and enjoy this time rather than stressing about getting these larger items for their new baby coming. Thank you so much for all the time and effort put into this awesome event!”

Hailey was not familiar with the Masonic fraternity prior to attending the event, but their gesture has made a lifelong impact.

“I think this organization is amazing, and the support they give our military members is unmatched,” she said.

Since 2008, Pennsylvania Masons have contributed nearly $1.6 million in support of our military members, our veterans and their families. In addition to today’s event, the program has provided calling cards for those serving overseas, telemedicine, household repairs and financial assistance for those facing costly medical bills and job loss.