Templar Charities

Sir Knights giving at least $3.65 with their dues notice for the Holy Land Pilgrimage or Holy Land Pilgrimage Endowment Fund are entitled to a "penny-a-day" sticker to affix to their dues card. Stickers for Commandery Recorders are available from the Grand Recorder's office.

Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF)

"That Others May See" is the Mission and continuing purpose of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.

Sir Knight James Morris Ward, Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America and President of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., announces the 30th Annual Voluntary Campaign, which will begin December 1, 1997 and continue through April 30, 1998.

The Grand Master has appointed Sir Knight Charles A. Garnes, H.P.D.C. and Trustee of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. as Chairman of the 30th Annual Voluntary Campaign. The Chairman needs the support of all Sir Knights where ever dispersed and the Grand Master requests 100% support to make the 30th Voluntary Campaign as productive as possible.

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. The operation of the Foundation is under the direction of the President and Board of Trustees. Medical and technical advice for the Foundation is provided by a selected group of Doctors of Ophthalmology whose assistance is freely given without compensation.

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-eyed) in children up to the age of sixteen 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.

Funds for the operation of the Foundation are obtained in part from 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.

Application for assistance from the Foundation is made through any Knight Templar who is a member of one of nearly 1400 Constituent Commanders in the Grand Encampment.

Any of the Officers identified on the Grand Commandery Officer's page can offer information and assistance. Additional information about assistance can be received from our Grand Recorder's Office.

Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.,
1000 East State Parkway, Suite 1
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4592
New Phone Number: (847) 490-3838
New Fax Number: (847) 490-3777
ktefofc@ix.netcom.com

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc., is a co-sponsor of the National Eye Care Project which helps those over 65 years of age 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 THAT YOU WERE REFERRED TO THEM BY A KNIGHT TEMPLAR.

As a Knight Templar, one has many opportunities to help others who are less fortunate. One way is through the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. The Eye Foundation is a Great Humanitarian Charity whose purpose is to provide research, surgical treatment and hospitalization to those who suffer from diseases or injury to the eyes. Cross-eyes, which occurs in children under 16, is one affliction that can lead to blindness if not treated properly.

Since its inception, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation has spent more than $35 million dollars to help provide medical treatment for those unable to afford it. Today, over 44,000 people have directly benefited from this financial assistance. And as always, treatments are provided regardless of race, color, creed, age, or national origin.

Research grants, totaling over $2.5 million dollars, have been made to institutions working in the field of Eye Research. Informative films are also available through local Commanderies for presentation to churches, PTA meetings and other interested organizations. To its end, the Knights Templar, through the efforts of all its members, is committed to "Helping Others To See."

If you would like to help with this process, please share this information. Your contributions can make a lifelong difference in a young child's life. This Knights Templar can tell you that there is nothing like being able to help a small child feel good about themselves.

If in Missouri, send your contributions to KTEF to your Commandery Recorder or to the Grand Recorder.

Mission Statement

The Knights Templar Educational foundation Committee considers all applications for scholarships, without regard to age, race, religion, National origin, gender, of Masonic ties or affiliations. These scholarships are not "grants in aid", but are open to all students regardless of their financial circumstances.

Purpose

Provide financial assistance to students who meet the required qualifications, which may vary from state to state.

How to apply for a grant

Application forms are available from the office of the Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of each Division or Division Chairman or by downloading here.

Contacts for information

Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Missouri.

History and transition of the Knights Templar Educational Foundation

In 1922, the Grand Encampment launched the Knights Templar Educational Foundation with the words: "We feel that the Grand Encampment can build no greater monument nor inaugurate a more worthwhile movement than to establish a plan which will put into effect a plan which will provide educational advantages for the youth of our beloved country, thereby enabling them to become more useful members of society and better Citizens of the United States of America."

The Foundation was sustained and perpetuated by each Sir Knight paying annually the sum of $1.00 for a period of nine years beginning July 1, 1924. This Fund became available for student loans.

Through the years the fund has grown and Grants and Scholarships are available in several states. However, some states still continue to use the Loan program where the student is expected to repay the loan at a low interest rate. States have either Grants or Scholarships or Loans but not both.

The need for Education

Education beyond high school is essential in a technological age. It may be obtained today in -

1. A vocational school, which trains artisans and craftsman.
2. A technical school, which prepares technicians for various specializations.
3. A professional school, which offers preparation, in medicine, law, theology, engineering, business, agriculture and others.
4. Colleges and university, which give a firm foundation for business, trade or profession.

The Record

Since its founding the Knights Templar Educational Foundation has assisted more than 80,000 students for an aggregate monetary value of over 38 million dollars through Loans and Scholarships to deserving youth thereby exemplifying the purpose and principles for which it was created.

In addition to the many religious observances throughout the year, The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar sponsors an annual "Holy Land Pilgrimage". The purpose of the pilgrimage is to send a Christian Minister to The Holy Land. Masonic membership is not required and the Minister can be male or female.

Sir Knights giving at least $3.65 with their dues notice for the Holy Land Pilgrimage or Endowment Fund are entitled to a "penny-a-day" sticker to affix to their dues card. Stickers for Commandery Recorders are available from the Grand Recorder's office.

The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Missouri has established an endowment fund for the purpose of funding Holy Land trips from the endowment interest.

Grand York Rite of Missouri
Kevin B. Sample, Grand Secretary/Recorder
325 E. Starla Road
Columbia, Missouri 65202-6628
573.442.5500 Office
573.442.5533 Fax
gyr@moyorkrite.org