Order of Malta Moment

The Board of Directors approved the Grant Committee’s recommendation to fund $292,542 to programs supported by the Federal Association at the Directors’ June 22 meeting.

$222,700 in fourteen grants was awarded in 10 different hospitaller regions for a wide variety of programs that serve the sick, the poor, and the elderly. Among them are the Memphis region's signature project, providing equipment for an early intervention autism program; two washers and dryers for Baltimore’s My Sister's Place for a homeless women's shelter, and replacement equipment for a Community Kitchen and Pantry at St. James Place in Kansas City. Presentations of the checks to the various programs were made by the local Regional Hospitallers.

$69,800 in international grants included a $30,000 grant to the Order's Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem. At the request of the Ambassador of the Order of Malta to the Republic of Congo, as well as a member of the Federal Association actively involved with the project, a $14,800 grant was sent to the Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach in Springfield, Illinois, to pay for shipping medicines and supplies needed for a hospital in that impoverished country.

Members' contributions to the Annual Appeal enable the Association to support programs in which members of the Order take active roles. Grants are awarded twice a year. The next deadline for grant applications is October 1, for the Board's approval at its December 7 meeting. Grant guidelines can be found on the Association's website. –Rowena Morris, DM,Chair, Grants Committee

Please click here for list of Grants awarded.

Members of the Order of Malta joined members of the Johanniterorden to serve the Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed National Military Hospital on July 14th.

Chip Glasgow, KM and Joan Glasgow, DM, Washington Hospitaller Dorothy Zolandz, DM, Larry Demaree, KM and Former Commanding General Van Coots', wife Claudia Coots were among those who joined in the service.

The group served 250 family members and ambulatory Wounded Warriors. Many plates were taken to the soldiers' rooms by staff or family members, so they could dine privately. There is no food service in the hospital on the weekends and the families were grateful for the chance to treat their heroes to a special picnic lunch. Several mothers and wives returned to thank the members for the first food their soldiers had eaten at the hospital.—Debby Demaree, DM, Montgomery County, MD

This year’s election is the first conducted under the Federal Association’s new Bylaws, adopted by the members and approved by the Sovereign Council. The Nominating Committee requested nominations from the membership for president, seven board of directors positions and executive officers. Incumbents Paul McNamara, President, and Pauline Olsen, Director, declined to seek a second term. Incumbents Robert W. Lively, Director, and Margaret B. Melady, Director, elected to seek a second term.

On August 1, Ballots will be mailed to members for the election of President and seven candidates for Director; to ensure the confidentiality of the election, the envelope which contains the Ballot should have no identifying marks. The external envelope should be signed by the member and mailed to the accounting firm of Councilor, Buchanan, & Mitchell. All Ballots must arrive at the accounting firm by Noon, August 21, 2012.

If you will be away and need a ballot sent to a summer address, please call the office at 202- 331-2494 or email your summer address to the office before July 31.

Jul 29 - Chicago - Annual Barbeque, at Joanne and Gene DeMuro’s, 114 Mary St, Winnetka, IL. Contact: Gene DeMuro
Jul 30 - Syracuse - Monthly Birthday Party at Malta House. Arrive by 2:30 PM. Contact: Kathy Mezzalingua
Aug 3 - Syracuse - First Friday Mass and Speaker at 7 AM. Contact: Margaret Martin
Aug 15 - Montgomery County, MD - Malta House Anniversary Celebration, at 2 PM Contact: Valencia Camp
Aug 23 - Milwaukee - Special Mass for Defense of the Faith and Dinner at Holy Rosary Church, Milwaukee. Contact: Sam Ciccarelli
Aug 25 - Charlotte - Lourdes Reunion. Save the date. Mass late afternoon, with reception to follow. Contact: Jerry Schmitt
Oct 21 - Washington, DC - Fifth annual CRUDEM benefit for Hopital Sacre Coeur, at Georgetown Visitation School, 1554 Mass at 10 AM followed by a champagne brunch from 11 to 1.