Update: New pictures of the Girls at Mooseheart see end of article.

If I told you that the Moose fraternity is an amazing organization, would you ask why? Some might say that by your participation in the Moose fraternity, you lend a hand in making the world a better place. At the time I joined the Moose fraternity years ago, I had very little knowledge of what Mooseheart was or what it did. It was not until a group of amazing kids visited from the Virginia house at Mooseheart that I began to understand. Our lodge is so much more than just a lodge or a group of individuals. It is because of the support that this lodge brings to the table that Mooseheart is able to provide a secure and nurturing environment that helps underprivileged children from around the world grow, learn, and mature.

For those who do not already know, Mooseheart is a school that was dedicated in July 1913 by the Moose fraternal organization. The school is located west of Chicago on a 1000-acre campus. The school is home to kids of all ages from infancy to high school. Mooseheart cares for kids when others cannot. Mooseheart takes in children that have lost parents and others in just unhealthy environments. It is through our generosity, and others like us, that these kids receive the very best education and nurturing during their formative years.

A few years ago, we had a chance to meet the parents and kids from the Virginia House at Mooseheart. We kept up with the kids and parents even after they moved to the New York house on campus. A few things in this world we know are for certain, our kids will graduate, and some parents will move on from Mooseheart. It was a sad day at Mooseheart when Mark and Rebekah Hewitt left last year. Feeling the void, I began to think, who were the new parents at the Virginia House? I recently sat down with one new parent at the Virginia house. It was Tiffany's day off during the interview. I thank her for her time.

The Moose fraternity has a long history with helping children. It is within this helping spirit that the Moose fraternity has started the Tommy Moose program. Tommy Moose is a 12 inch plush stuffed animal that is given to first responders in the field to help them comfort children in traumatic situations. A 12 inch stuffed animal can make a huge impact!

When a child experiences physical, emotional, psychological distress, or harm Tommy Moose is there to comfort them. Our Tommy Moose program gets these comforting stuffed animals into the hands of first responders to give to children in distress.

Tommy Moose is making a difference. First responders from around the country are praising the program as successful and helpful. The Tommy Moose program is fast approaching a milestone. They have given more than 100,000 of these friendly and comforting stuffed animals to departments around the nation.

The Centreville Moose is doing its part in helping to get Tommy Moose into the hands of our first responders too. On Wednesday February 25 2010, the Men and Women of our lodge donated Tommy Moose stuffed animals to the Fairfax City Police Department. We would like to thank Sergeant Pam Nevlud, Officer Natalie Minnich, and Officer Rutter for participating in our donation of Tommy Moose. It was not so long ago that we donated Tommy Moose to the Fairfax City Fire department.  We are looking forward to a long relationship with both departments. We will be replenishing the departments with more Tommy Moose’s as they run out.

Click on the photo for a larger image.

It is never good to hear that a member, a member’s family or friend is hurting. We wish to extend our sympathy to our members who have fallen ill. Please reach out to these members, as they need our help at this difficult time.

• Tim Bellenger is home and recovering after suffering a heart attack recently.
• Ross McDaniel is home and recovering after having surgery in the hospital. We are glad to hear he is also back at work!
• Eric Larsen is back in the hospital. He is in Alexandria Hospital if you wish to extend your sympathy.
• Marianne Beck's father is in the hospital after suffering a cardiac episode.  He is recovering after a valve replacement surgery.  He is being cared for at Fairfax INOVA Hospital.  We are glad to know he is feeling better!

The Northern Virginia area has some very determined Texas Hold’em poker players. Poker players go far and wide to catch the need they have to share in a game of Texas Hold’em. We are adding another game of poker to our "Free" Texas Hold’em poker schedule. We are starting a new game this Friday, February 26, 2010 at 8:00pm. This will add a third day of the week that we hold poker tournaments. This new game will append to the current scoring of points each week. This game will also be a double chips event. This event is for current Moose members and their qualified guests. If you have any questions about coming out to play in our tournaments, please send us a message under our contact us page.

We are also giving members another incentive to sign up new members.  If you sign up a new member during this tournament series, you will receive a laminated free chip card worth $1000 in chips for each tournament.

When your done with Friday Night poker, please stay and enjoy the Social Quarters and Karaoke. We have quite the crowd that enjoys singing the hits from yesterday and today.