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R-5 nurses receive funds from lodge
On Wednesday afternoon, the Nevada R-5 High School library was the site for the 10th annual renewal of a partnership between the Masonic Lodge and the district's school nurses.
Explained health services coordinator, Kora Anderson, "We are so grateful to the local lodge and the Masonic Home for their annual contributions which our nurses use to meet such critical student needs as clothing, school supplies and personal hygiene products."
This collaboration, entitled, Creating a Partnership, is a joint effort between Nevada's Osage Lodge No. 303, the Masonic Home of Kansas City and the R-5 district.
"Our share of the check comes from a golf tournament we hold each year in September," said Dale Lockwood, lodge master. "This year we had 36 teams plus about 96 hole sponsors."
Representing the Masonic Home of Kansas City, Lawrence Cripps said the Home matches the local contribution from funds it has in trust and from annual dues from area lodges.
This decade long partnership began when the lodge approached the school about a way in which they could help meet student needs in a quiet way.
Said Anderson, "My predecessor as health services coordinator, Denise Nelson, immediately realized the possibilities and what she proposed not only met with the approval of the lodge but has helped so many in our district."
This year's combined check totaled $4,631 and according to Anderson, this year alone, 94 students have received some form of assistance.
Over the decade, the amount received by the R-5 district totals $30,761.60 with more than 800 students having received assistance.
School nurses take information about needs, which is supplied by teachers and counselors, and then do a bit of investigation.
"If it's a younger student, we speak to the parents while if it is one in say, high school, we speak to the student, verify, get the particulars, do a bit of quick shopping and quietly see the need is met," said Anderson. "Students appreciate doing things quietly to save embarrassment and are grateful for the help."
Asked why school nurses manage this program, Anderson spoke of nursing as caring for the whole person and so meeting these needs is very much a part of their work.
"Besides, even young children understand we keep things confidential and that's vital if we are to be effective," said Anderson.
In the early 1900s there was a comic strip entitled, Alphonse and Gaston, featuring two, overly polite French waiters, each of whom refused to take the lead in anything but insisted "After you, Alphonse.",
"No, you first, my dear Gaston!"
In a scene somewhat reminiscent of that comic strip, Julie Heathman, Benton school nurse; Robin Daniels, Bryan school nurse; and Tracy Barmann, Truman school nurse joined Anderson in thanking Cripps, Lockwood and local junior deacon, Jim Phillips for their support.
But no sooner had the nurses begun their expressions of thanks when Cripps interrupted the nurses and led Lockwood and Phillips in a return round of thanks.
Beshore looked on and remarked, "Some people give for the recognition but these folks give and get out of the way. The only words we hear from them always begin with, 'Thank you. We are so grateful.'"