News Release

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.

"Helping Others to See"

May 15, 2000

THE 32nd ANNUAL VOLUNTARY ENDED APRIL 30, 2000.   THE WILLARD MEREDITH AVERY TRAIN DELIEVERD A TOTAL OF $ 1,184,415.83 FROM THOUSANDS OF SIR KNIGHTS, FRIENDS AND ORGANIZATIONS AS THEIR GIFTS AND SUPPORT OF THAT GREAT CHARITY. THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR EYE FOUNDATION, INC.

THIRTY SECOND VOLUNTARY CAMPAIGN RESULTS

TOP GRAND COMMANDERIES ON A TOTAL DOLLAR BASIS:

NO.   1                                    TEXAS                                               $ 144,983.69

 

NO.   2                                    MISSOURI                                        $ 139.007.69

 

NO.   3                                    PENNSYLVANIA                             $   87,516.08

 

TOP SUBORDINATE COMMANDRIES ON A TOTAL DOLLAR BASIS:

 

NO.   1          ANCHORAGE NO. 1, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA                            $ 4,190.00

 

NO.   2          HEIDELBURG NO. 1, HEIDELBURG, GERMANY                     $    900.00

 

NO.   3          SOLO DI ARUBA NO. 1 ARUBA, NETHERLAND ANTILLES   $    700.00

 

 

 

 

TOP TEN GRAND COMMANDERIES IN DOLLAR TOTALS:

 

1.   TEXAS                                                                 $ 144,983.69

2.   MISSOURI                                                          $ 139,007.69

                          3.   PENNSLVANIA                                                $   87,516.08

4.   GEORGIA                                                           $   71,313.00

5.   TENNESSEE                                                       $   49,708.57

6.   MASSACHUSETTS-RHODE ISLAND            $   41,821.37

7.   CALIFONIA                                                        $   41,316.25

8.   OHIO                                                                    $   38,823.00

9.   MICHIGAN                                                         $   35,295.00

10.      FLORIDA                                                          $   30,224.50

 

 

TOTAL DOLLARS CONTRIBUTED IN

THE 32^ND ANNAUAL VOLUNTARY CAMPAIGN

$ 1,184,415.83

 

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR EYE FOUNDATION, INC. EXTENDS THANKS TO ALL SIR KNIGHTS, LADIES, ORGANIZATIONS FOR THIS GREAT SUPORT OF OUR CHAIRTY AND THOSE WHO WILL BENEFIT IN THE PRESERVATION OF SIGHT BECAUSE OF THESE FUNDS EXTEND THEIR THANKS TO ALL WHO CARED ENOUGH TO HELP THOSE IN NEED.

 

What is the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.?

 

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of six elected officers, all Past Grand Masters of the Grand Encampment, and six Trustees-At-Large elected by the membership for a term of nine years.  Medical and technical advice for the Foundation is provided by a selected group of Doctors of Ophthalmology whose assistance is freely given without compensation.

 

Objectives of the Foundation:

 

The objectives of the Foundation are to provide Research, Surgical Treatment and Hospitalization for those who suffer from diseases or injuries to the eye, which if untreated might result in blindness.  This includes the correction of strabismus (cross-eyes) in children up to the age of 16 years.  Such persons are provided with the cost of treatment, surgery, and hospitalization in a place of their own choosing and by physicians of their own choice, without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex or national origin if they are unable to pay and cannot receive adequate assistance from Medicare, Social Services, State Aid or similar sources.  However, they must be residents of the USA  for a period of not less than one year.

 

 

Source of Funds:

 

Funds for the operation of the Foundation are obtained in part from an annual assessment of each Knight Templar, contributions from Masonic Organizations, fund raising activities, memorials, wills and bequests, donations, and from endowment funds or similar sources.

 

Permanent Donor Fund (a new recognition or giving)

 

The Permanent Donor Fund was implemented on March 1, 1999 to give perpetual recognition to individuals, corporations or foundations that make an initial donation of $10,000.  Additional amounts of $1,000.00 or more may be added to the Fund.  Each year the Permanent Donor Funds will be listed in the Annual Report so that the donor who establishes the fund will be recognized as a Philanthropist.  Permanent Donor Fund forms are available from the KTEF Office or e-mail ktef@knightstemplar.org

 

THE PERMANENT DONOR FUND NOW HAS 14 PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED OVER $ 150,000.00.

 

THE DIRECT MAIL PROGRAM PRODUCED OVER $143,000.00.  THIS WAS THE FIRST ATTEMPT OF THE FOUNDATION TO DO A DIRECT MAILING TO ALL MEMBERS.   IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT MANY MEMBERS WHO NEVER CONTRIBUTED IN THE PAST MADE A DONATION BECAUSE OF THE DIRECT MAIL APPEAL.

 

MANY INDIVIDUALS USED THE CREDIT CARD PLAN TO MAKE THEIR DONATIONS.  THIS APPROACH ELIMINTES FUNDS GOING THROUGH THE HANDS OF SEVERAL PEOPLE BEFORE IT GETS TO THE FOUNDATION.

 

Our Record as of this date:

 

Since 1956 over $69 million has been spent on approved cases.  Applications received from over 63,900 people and Research Grants total over $5 million.

 

How to apply for help:

 

Application for assistance from the Foundation can be made through any Knight Templar who is a member of over 1200 Constituent Commanderies in the Grand Encampment.  Information is also available from The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., 5097 North Elston Avenue, Suite 100, Chicago IL, Phone (773) 205-3838, Fax (773) 205-1689 or e-mail ktef@knightstemplar.org

 

Other Help is Available:

 

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. is a co-sponsor of the National Eye Care Project, which helps those persons 65 years of age or over who do not have an Ophthalmologist.  Anyone wishing to contact N.E.C.P. may do so by calling 1-800-222-EYES and tell them your were referred by a Knight Templar.