Modern Woodmen help place entry stones at park

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Fort Scott Modern Woodmen of American members recently put their hands where their hearts are recently.

Members of the Fort Scott Modern Woodmen chapter worked together on April 7 to purchase and prepare to lay entry sign stones at the James B. Tedesco Memorial Skatepark, located parallel to U.S. Highway 69 between the Third and Sixth Street catwalks.

The project was part of the organization's Good Neighbors Program, a nationwide initiative that gives Modern Woodmen chapters across the country $500 for hands-on repair and community beautification projects. Nearly 500 such projects benefit communities in the U.S. annually, a news release said.

Coordinated by local Modern Woodmen members, chapters provide opportunities to connect through social activities and volunteer projects.

"As a member-based, fraternal organization, Modern Woodmen strives to give member families opportunities to volunteer and enhance their communities," Jolynne Stainbrook, local Modern Woodmen activities coordinator, said in the release. "Our Good Neighbors Program does both."

For more information about the local chapter, contact Stainbrook at (620) 223-3000.

As a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen sells life insurance, annuity and investment products not to benefit stockholders but to improve the quality of life of its stakeholders-members, their families and their communities. This is accomplished through social, charitable and volunteer activities, the release said.

Annually, Modern Woodmen and its members provide more than $23 million and nearly 1 million volunteer hours for community projects nationwide, the release said.

--Submitted by Jolynne Stainbrook