Part 55

It's been a few years since I've been asking you "Where do you do your shopping?" And I want you to know that I have met many of our members and their families who have shopped in our "store of caring."  And now, I have the privilege of sharing with you another of our full-time workers in this wonderful "store." His name is Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, and he is located at the House of the Temple, in Washington D.C. He will be helping me with major gifts. Bro. Earl has been a member of the Fraternity for 25 years and served in 1978 as Master of Lafayette Lodge, No. 111, Baltimore, Maryland. He is also a member of Boumi Shrine Temple in Baltimore, the York Rite, and a dual member of the Scottish Rite Valleys of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Ill. Earl is not only extremely well qualified, but also a very nice person, one I know you will want to help you when you're doing your shopping for planned giving.

He has already come up with a great idea, and that is to share with  you some of the names of our "customers," including those who did some shopping at our Pooled Income Fund "counter." Also, of course, there are those who shopped at our Charitable Trust "window," or those who have made cash donations. They all have been recognized at the House of the Temple on large bronze plaques with prominent lettering, have had their names recorded in the Gold Book, and have received a gift of appreciation. But I failed to share their customer satisfaction with those of you who have not yet shopped in our wonderful "store."

In case you have forgotten, we still probably give the greatest return on investment of just about any place in the country. And we  provide a great deal of individual assistance in helping you plan your estate, not only for your benefit, but also for the benefit of your whole family. Since I want you to see how we stock our shelves, I'm going to contact some of our good customers and, with their permission, relate to you the items found on their shopping list. I know you will like reviewing the profile of their shopping, so as soon as I can get their permission, I'll share the highlights. Thus, you will be able to see firsthand, how easy it is to shop in our "store." Of course, all profits in our store go to help good Masonic causes, particularly children with language disorders, so I guess you can call us a "children's profit center."

As a starter, will any of you who have shopped in our "store" and don't mind sharing your experience, let me know your name and I'll be as discreet as possible in sharing only that information which isn't pertinent to your private life. If you want me to hold your name, I can do that, too. I believe such customer profiles will have more meaning than just making a list of names without showing how our store can provide benefits. Don't forget that if it has helped you, it can help your Brother and his family, too.

Which leaves my "ad" for this month to read: "Life is to be fortified by many friendships, and to love and be loved is the greatest happiness of all." 

Thomas M. Boles  has worked extensively in fund-raising for children's programs throughout our Fraternity. For more information on planned giving, see coupon previous page or call Tom at 562–691–4227 (Fax 562–691–5327) or the Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, at 202–232–3579, ext. 143. Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, recently joined our development team as Director of Major Gifts. You can reach him toll free at 1–800–486–3331.