Supporting communities for nearly a century

As the first state group sanctioned by the Moose Association’s Supreme Lodge, the Virginia Moose Association has been giving back to its community for more than 85 years. Most recently, that support has expanded to include Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU with members from the Moose’s 83 Virginia lodges and 60 Women of the Moose chapters donating nearly $85,000 to benefit the Children’s Tower and child life program.

“We are committed to community service and taking care of seniors and their families,” said Dennis Harlow, the Moose’s CHoR liaison.

Last year Dennis was talking to a co-worker whose daughter, Rylee, receives care at CHoR. In honor of the care she received, Rylee had started a charity to purchase items for CHoR’s child life program. The local Moose lodge of which Dennis is a member had been donating funds to Rylee’s program for three years. After learning about the new Children’s Tower, Dennis said he wanted to do more.

In September 2022, the Virginia Moose Association made its first gift to CHoR following a successful “Money March” at its mid-year conference. (Each conference includes a Money March where each lodge, and some individual members, present their charitable contributions.) A second gift was made after the Association’s January conference. In addition to benefitting the Children’s Tower and child life, funds will be used to purchase stuffed “Tommy Moose” toys to be given to patients in the emergency department and during hospital stays.

“It amazes me what people want to do for kids,” Dennis said of the Association’s generosity. “Our partnership with CHoR has touched a lot of people’s hearts.”

Dennis recalled a member who was a patient at the original Children’s Hospital on Brook Road more than 60 years ago. He also talked about Moose members, Angie and Henry Clary, who shared the story of their daughter’s traumatic injury and life-saving care at CHoR.

Individual lodges sponsor events like yard sales, dances and golf outings to raise money for the Moose’s charitable endeavors. On June 10, Dennis’s lodge in Gloucester will host its annual Blue Grass Festival to benefit CHoR. In addition to raising funds, the Virginia Moose Association’s more than 60,000 members also volunteer their time at events across the commonwealth.

“We care for the young and make sure they have what they need,” said Dennis, who is excited about the Moose’s continued partnership with CHoR. “Kids are the future.”

Written by Alissa Poole • Young @ Heart