Waitsburg OES members attend Grand Chapter session

Six members of the Waitsburg Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) attended the annual Grand Chapter meeting in Wenatchee from June 23 – June 26. Those attending were Karen Palmer, Diane Rice, Sam Poulson, Susie Payne, Barbara Danforth, and Patricia Wilson. They reunited with many friends while there and everyone had a good time with lots of laughter and memories. However, the annual business meeting also held everyone's attention.

The Worthy Grand Matron Judy Turchin's and Worthy Grand Patron Jack Branch's special projects this past year were Service Dogs and Make-A-Wish. Brigadoon Dogs which train service dogs received over $36,000 from last year's fundraising efforts. Each dog costs approximately $40,000. Dogs trained by Brigadoon remain in Washington State and are provided to military veterans at no cost. Make-A-Wish was gifted with over $40,000 to be used specifically for the wishes of children with cancer. Other monetary donations were made towards cancer research, diabetes research and heart disease research.

Educational scholarships were awarded totaling $16,000. Two nursing scholarships were awarded totaling $13,000. There was one scholarship recipient for the Eastern Star Training Award for Religious Leadership (ESTARL) of $5,000. Three $5,000 donations were made to each of the Rainbow Dad Scholarship Fund, Job's Daughters Scholarship Fund, and the DeMolay Scholarship Fund.

A special part of Grand Chapter is when all those members of 50 or more years are honored. Waitsburg's own Barbara Danforth was introduced and honored having 70 years of service to OES. During this time, she was very involved with the Waitsburg Rainbow Girls Assembly and served as a Grand Officer.

Submitted photo

Barbara Danforth was acknowledged at the Grand Chapter meeting for her 70 years of service.

The Order of the Eastern Star is associated with the International Order of Freemasons and has been part of Waitsburg since it received its charter in 1889.