Tuesday, August 1, 2023

 

August 01, 2023
Newsletter #62

Hi Member,


August is here! It's the last month of Summer for students and school-age parents, or a lazy, quiet time for households without academic pressures. As the end of the Dog Days of Summer arrives, let's enjoy these remaining relaxing days.
 

August is the Month of...


Learn a few new facts about the month named after Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor, for the month in which he won most of his military victories.


Charitable Activities Highlights

Read about the latest charitable fraternal activities.

College News

Get ready to head back to campus with these return-to-school tips

Inspirational Quote

This month's quote offers a new way to think about the word "charity."

Upcoming Dates

Update your calendar with these important dates

   August is the month of...

 

 

Awarenesses

 

MONTH

National Traffic Awareness Month

Ever since the first vehicle crash in 1771 (when a steam-powered vehicle crashed into a wall in France), there have been concerns about vehicle safety. The World Health Organization reports more than a million fatal traffic accidents annually, with 20 to 50 million people injured annually. In order to reduce overall accidents, August has been set aside to focus on traffic safety by paying attention to the traffic around us and following the traffic rules designed to keep everyone safe.

https://www.holidaycalendar.io/holiday/national-traffic-awareness-month

 

Gastroparesis Awareness Month


Gastroparesis, also known as delayed emptying of the stomach, is a medical condition that results in food and liquid remaining in the stomach for long periods without any observable obstruction or blockage. The result can lead to poor nutrient absorption and poor glycemic control, and its symptoms can even become life-threatening. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders has been observing this awareness since 2016 to bring into focus those who suffer from the condition, how to manage it, and bring support to more studies for gastroparesis. 

https://aboutgastroparesis.org/living-with-gastroparesis/gastroparesis-awareness-month/

 

MedicAlert Awareness Month

 

In 1953, 14-year-old Linda Collins cut herself deeply and nearly died when she was given a tetanus antitoxin by an emergency room doctor. Her father, Dr. Marion Collins, knew of her allergy, but since he was not in town when his daughter was brought to the hospital. In 1956, he designed the first-ever MedicAlert ID bracelet to help keep his daughter safe in any future emergency. Since then, it is estimated that more than 4 million lives have been saved through the use of MedicAlert IDs. August has been designated to raise awareness of this simple but lifesaving step that can and should be taken by those with known serious reactions.

https://www.medicalert.org

 

WEEKS


National Minority Donor Awareness Week - First week of August

 

Since 1996, the first week of August honors minorities who have been organ, eye, and tissue donors and encourages others to register as donors. Minorities make up more than half of those on an organ transplant waiting list. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that “Although organs are not matched according to race/ethnicity, and people of different races frequently match one another, all individuals waiting for an organ transplant will have a better chance of receiving one if there are large numbers of donors from their racial/ethnic background. This is because compatible blood types and tissue markers—critical qualities for donor/recipient matching—are more likely to be found among members of the same ethnicity. A greater diversity of donors may potentially increase access to transplantation for everyone.”

https://donatelifecalifornia.org/nmdaw/
 

World Breastfeeding Week - August 1 - 7

 

World Breastfeeding Week is a global campaign to raise awareness of and benefits of breastfeeding. This year’s theme is Enabling Breastfeeding - making a Difference for Working Parents. The health benefits are well-documented: babies who aren’t breastfed have an increased risk of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and ear infections, and are more likely to need hospitalization for these infections. Breastmilk contains many anti-infective factors that can help build up the immune system in babies. 

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-breastfeeding-week/2023
 

National Overdose Awareness Week - Week of August 31 (August 27 - September 2)

By presidential proclamation, National Overdose Awareness Week has been declared for the past few years to include International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.  More than 90,000 drug overdoses occurred in the United States in 2020. Opioid overdoses are increasing, but drugs like naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose when administered in time. This week calls for us all to commit ourselves to helping those with substance use disorders and work to reduce the number of drug overdoses that occur.

https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/awareness/overdose-awareness-week.html


DAYS

National Promise to Care Day - Aug 1

National Promise to Care Day honors the services of urgent care centers and workers and their commitment to their patients and communities. Urgent care centers were first started in America in the 1980s, and have grown to more than a $15 billion industry. This day reminds us to appreciate those who care for our urgent medical needs.

https://www.nationaldayarchives.com/day/national-promise-to-care-day/

 

CLOVES Syndrome Awareness Day - Aug 3

 

CLOVES Syndrome (Congenital, Lipomatous, Overgrowth, Vascular Malformations, Epidermal Nevi, and Spinal/Skeletal Anomalies and/or Scoliosis ) is a rare congenital disease that affects infants at birth, characterized by abnormalities in bones, joints, or blood vessels. There are fewer than 200 cases reported worldwide to date. This event is observed to help more people understand what Cloves is and its impact.

https://clovessyndrome.org/current-event/awareness-day/

 

National Grief Awareness Day - Aug 30

 

National Grief Awareness Day recognizes and validates those who are grieving. Closure can take time and come in many forms. Begun in 2014 by Angie Cartwright, this day is dedicated to bringing support to those who have suffered loss and are struggling with the realities of their grief.

https://www.tributearchive.com/blog/58ec3dee-20c2-4f87-b843-ff0ab16613c0/The-Complete-Guide-To-National-Grief-Awareness-Day

 

Holidays and Observances

 

Colorado Day is August 1, celebrating the day in 1876 when Colorado was admitted as the 38th state. Colorado is nicknamed the Centennial State, as it joined the Union just 28 days after the 100th celebration of the United States on July 4, 1876.

https://www.historycolorado.org/press-release/2022/07/26/history-colorado-celebrates-colorado-day-monday-august-1-free-day-long

 

International Lefthanders Day was first observed on August 13, 1976, to celebrate those left-hand dominant and raise awareness of the issues they face in a right-hand dominated world.

https://www.lefthandersday.com

 

National Nonprofit Day is marked on August 17 each year to recognize non-profit organizations and their impact on the communities they serve. Non-profits (such as the Royal Arcanum) make a huge difference, often helping faster and more directly than government agencies are able to. Help out in your neighborhood today!

https://givebutter.com/blog/national-nonprofit-day

 

The United Nations had declared World Humanitarian Day to be August 19 in observance of celebrating the humanitarian aid workers worldwide. Thousands of volunteers and professionals flock to crisis areas of the globe, putting themselves in danger so they can help those in need.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day

 

National Senior Citizens Day was first proclaimed by President Reagan in 1988 to be August 21, as a day to celebrate senior citizens “for all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish.” There is no universal definition of a “senior citizen,” but age 65, the age when Medicare eligibility starts, is commonly considered a threshold. The goal of Senior Citizens Day is not only to show our appreciation for all that our elders do, but also to raise awareness of the conditions that many older people live in, and the struggles they face, and to support them as they get older.

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/senior-citizens-day.html

 

Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26, the anniversary of the date in 1920 when the Nineteenth Amendment was adopted to prohibit denying the right to vote based on sex. More than 100 years since the amendment was passed, full equality (especially in equal pay) remains elusive.

https://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/womens-equality-day

 

Fun Days

 

While mathematicians celebrate Pi Day on March 14 (because the universal constant pi is approximated as 3.14), Homemade Pie Day is a more universal celebration, observed on August 1. Enjoy a homemade pie today!

https://nationaltoday.com/homemade-pie-day/

 

First celebrated in 2015, National Coloring Book Day on August 2 encourages everyone to enjoy the artistic and relaxing pastime of coloring. It’s not just a child’s activity anymore, as intricate patterns geared for adult colorers are now readily available.

https://www.coloringbookday.com

 

National IPA Day on August 3 celebrates one of the most popular types of craft beers in the world, the India Pale Ale. Characterized as a bold, bitter beer made with hops and pale malts, it is an acquired taste that has been acquired by many.

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/india-pale-ale-day/

 

Book Lovers Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on August 9, and encourages people to pick up a book and read.

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/book-lovers-day/

 

National S’mores Day - that campfire treat of a roasted marshmallow sandwiched between chocolate and graham crackers, is observed on August 10. The first recorded mention of the “Graham Cracker Sandwich” was in a recipes book by Campfire Mashmallows in the 1920s. The 1927 Girl Scouts published their own recipe in “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” but called it “some more.” The new name was later shortened to the name S’Mores as it is now known.

https://www.ibtimes.com/national-smores-day-fun-facts-about-popular-campfire-treat-3270275

 

August 16 is National Roller Coaster Day, celebrated by those who enjoy that feeling of butterflies in their stomach.

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/rollercoaster-day/

 

National Bow Tie Day on August 28 is dedicated to celebrating the neckwear that is still an important part of formal dress, though less common than it once was in the 19th century. Clip on or tie on a bow tie and make a statement on your fashion choices.

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/bow-tie-day


Historical Events

 

August 1, 1944: Anne Frank made the last entry in her diary.

August 2, 1776: Most of the members of the Continental Congress signed a parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

August 3, 1492: Christopher Columbus set sail seeking a new route to the Far East.

August 4, 1901: Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, destined to be nicknamed Satchmo and become a jazz trumpet legend.

August 5, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the first Federal Income Tax (3% on incomes over $800); this tax was never put into effect, though subsequent income tax laws were.

August 6, 1945: The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, killing more than 100,000 people, and an estimated additional 100,000 due to radiation poisoning.

August 9, 1974: President Richard Nixon resigned.

August 12, 1881: Film producer Cecil B. DeMille was born.

August 14, 1935: The Social Security Act was signed into law.

August 15, 1969: The music festival Woodstock began in a field in Bethel, New York.

August 16, 1896: Gold was discovered in Rabbit Creek in Alaska.

August 18, 1774: American explorer Meriwether Lewis was born.

August 21, 1959: Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state in the Union.

August 24, 79 AD: The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed by an eruption of the volcano Vesuvius.

August 26, 1883: One of the world’s most powerful eruptions in recorded history occurred on the island of Krakatoa in Indonesia, with the explosion heard 2,000 miles away blasting five cubic miles of earth into the air.

August 28, 1963: The Civil Rights rally held the March on Washington when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., made his I Have a Dream speech.

August 31, 1980: The Polish trade union Solidarity was formed in Gdansk, Poland.

August 31, 1977: At age 36, Princess Diana of Britain died following a car crash in Paris, France.
 

   Charitable Activities Highlights

 

The Center - Philadelphia

 

Integrity Council #586 once again included The Center - Philadelphia in their charitable activities. Last year, Integrity Council also made a donation to them that was featured in our August 2022 newsletter. The community-building activity of the Arch Street United Methodist Church, which has a long history of community activism. Established in 1862, its cornerstone was laid by Bishop Matthew Simpson, an advisor to President Lincoln who advocated for freeing all slaves.  The Arch Street community started Grace’s Cafe more than 15 years ago to offer a restaurant-style meal service to the homeless in the area. The People’s Garden began more than 5 years ago as a place for a community garden and building community through working the soil. The Serenity House Community Center was founded in 2017 and was taken over by Arch Street UMC in 2019 to offer a welcome place to gather for everyone, regardless of age, racial or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, economic or marital status, or physical or mental ability. In 2018, The Center - Philadelphia became its own 501C3 entity, gathering the many outreach ministries together under one organization. Integrity Council has been a longtime supporter of the ministries now under The Center - Philadelphia, and we applaud the fraternal support they provide in their backyard.


 

I Honor Your Service to America

 

There are just 2 1/2 months left in the Dime-A-Day program that began on November 1, 2022, and runs for 350 days until October 18, 2023. This program supporting I Honor Your Service to America works to honor, support, and encourage men and women deployed to combat zones around the world, and to support homeless veterans, with Military Care Packages. Founded in 2012 — on October 18, which explains the end date of the Dime-A-Day program — by Ron Hayman, who is himself a disabled veteran from the Vietnam era, and served in Korea. Merritt Council #1974 member Laurie Simms is also a veteran who was deployed to Germany and South Korea; she sits on the Board of Directors.

 

Since its founding, more than 2000 care packages have been sent to bring some comforts of home to our troops, including snacks, books, music, movies, Girl Scout cookies, and much more. All members who participate in this project and donate $35 or more will be entered into a drawing on November 16, 2023, for two $150 monetary awards as an appreciation for participating in this project. Collected donations can be sent to the Home Office, payable to the Royal Arcanum but identified as a donation to the Dime a Day project.

   College News

 

Heading to or Back to College?

 

Most students heading to campus for the Fall Semester will be packing and moving this month. Here are a few tips to make the preparation easier so you can focus on your studies.

 

  • Be sure you get your vaccines and check-ups completed, they are often needed to register for classes
  • Take pictures on your phone of any important documents
  • Pack smart! Freshmen need to be sure they have all the things they need (clothing, bedding, towels, personal hygiene items, storage containers that will fit, electronics and chargers, etc.) and some things that will bring a little bit of comfort and feelings of home (posters, whiteboard, rug, etc.)
  • If you’re returning, consider what you brought and didn’t use, and leave that out of your packing
  • Be sure to work out agreements with your roommate on your shared space, quiet times, and anything else that will make you feel comfortable together
  • Don’t forget to focus on your studies. Set up a study schedule and manage your time, and don’t let yourself get behind in your classwork.
  • Don’t miss making connections with other students. College friendships can last a lifetime
  • Make use of the college resources when you need help. And remember, reaching out to home can be one of those important resources, too.
  • Sign up with our Junior Department for college care packages and keep in touch. We’re a resource, too!

 

Enjoy your time at college!

 

   Inspirational quotes

 

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

―     Elizabeth Andrew

   Upcoming dates

 

Mark your calendar with these important dates:

  • Summer Bulletin publication: August 19, 2023
  • Monthly Lend A Hand - Lift a Heart Deadline: August 31, 2023
  • Scholarship and Grant Applications Open: September 1, 2023
  • Lorraine J. D'Emilio Legacy of Hope Projects Begin: September 1, 2023
  • Autumn Begins: September 23, 2023
  • Monthly Lend A Hand - Lift a Heart Deadline: September 30, 2023
  • Dime A Day program completion: October 18, 2023
  • Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service Award project completion by: November 20, 2023
  • Youth of the Year Award Nominations deadline: November 30, 2023
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