Aug 09, 2022
Newsletter #50

Hi Member,

It's hard to believe this is our 50th issue of the newsletter! We've tried to provide some useful information, share updates from the Home Office or the Executive Committee, and provide a connection to our members everywhere. We hope you've enjoyed them, and hope we can continue to share with you and more of our members in the future.

Our next issue would be scheduled for August 23, but that will take place in the middle of our Session. Instead, we'll skip a newsletter in two weeks, and promise an interesting issue on September 6 with highlights from our Session.

August is the month of...

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. While talk today may be focusing on COVID and Moneypox vaccines, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of vaccinating people of all ages against a number of serious and sometimes deadly diseases. The awareness month also celebrates the successes of the different immunizations that have been created.

Psoriasis Action Month

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that causes inflammation in the body. The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) unites in August in an awareness and action campaign to find a cure for psoriatic disease which over 8 million people in the U.S. have — more than 3% of the entire U.S. population.

Self-Awareness Month

Self-awareness is when you understand why you think, feel, and behave in specific ways, and is an important part of self-care. For those suffering from addictions or depression, knowing how to recognize negative behavior patterns and where they’re coming from allows them to proactively address the issue and make real headway in their fight for their recovery. August has been chosen as the month to focus on this important aspect of healing.

Eye Exam Month

August is Eye Exam Month, a reminder to care for your gift of sight and to schedule your annual eye exam. Did you know over 61% of the population (or 177 million people in the United States) need some sort of vision correction? Yet it's estimated that over 12 million Americans require some sort of vision correction but don’t wear glasses or contact lenses.

As the new school year approaches, it's sobering to realize that nearly 50% of parents with children under age twelve have never taken their children to an eye care professional. Let this be a timely reminder to prepare our children for the classroom and athletics by scheduling a routine eye exam for their children.

IFS Donation Highlight

The International Fraternal Service (IFS) Program recently approved a request from Integrity Council #586 for a project supporting The Center-Philadelphia, a nonprofit that grew out of the community building activity of the Arch Street United Methodist Church. Integrity Council is a long-time supporter of the Arch Street United Method Church, annually serving meals to the homeless in their Grace Cafe, which is one of the services offered by The Center. Its mission is to provide for the needs of the unhoused and unsheltered neighbors in Philadelphia by supplying showers, food, laundry services, and casework, as well as advocating for a more equitable structure and systemic change.

The services provided by The Center include a multi-faceted approach to service. Grace Cafe is a restaurant-style environment that serves healthy meals every Sunday to their neighbors in need. The People’s Garden is a place for neighbors of all ages to play, rest, grow, and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables together while building community together. Serenity House offers a refuge in the neighborhood and serves as a welcoming, neighborhood-centered space that promotes leadership development, spiritual growth, and community organizing

While direct donations to churches are prohibited under the IFS Program rules, it does allow donations when they are for the benefit of all members of the community. This project for The Center is a perfect example of the community outreach that our councils are encouraged to support. The IFS Program guidelines provide a list of the process, allowable projects, and ideas for providing fraternal service in your community.