(NAPSA)—When political activity is at its peak, most people make decisions based on what matters most—their families. It’s hard to remember a time before governmentprovided assistance, a time when resources just simply weren't available. But not long ago, when a father died early in his life, his wife and children wereleft to fend for themselves. Unless other family mem- bers could take them in, these wid- ows and orphans were often throwninto a volatile situation. Under these circumstances, a century ago, former U.S. Senator and Secretary of Labor James J. Davis created thefirst safety net for widows and orphans known as Mooseheart, a 1,000-acre residen- tial community and school for children in need. “James J. Davis saw a need to create a safe haven for workingclass widows and children at a time when Social Security did not exist. There was no government safety net to provide benefits to the families of a breadwinner who died or became disabled,” said MooseInternational Director General & CEO William B. Airey. “We are proud of Jim Davis’s legacy, but we are even more proud that today’s Moose men and women continue to support the hundreds of children who come to Mooseheart to live,” he added. Davis, a native of Wales who had worked from boyhood as an “iron puddler” in the steel mills of Pennsylvania, had also been a labor organizer and immediately saw potential for the tiny Moose fraternity. He proposed to pitch Moose membership to the working class as a way to provide protec- Jewel Davis Cornell, daughter of founder James J. Davis, with Mooseheart children. tion for members at a bargain price: annual duesof $5 to $10. Mooseheart has housed, clothed and educated nearly 12,000 students in the 93 years since its inception. These students have come from all over the continent and have been able to grow and develop in a safe and nurturing environment, far away from gangs and drugs. Upon graduation from Mooseheart High School, students have the opportunity for appropriate post-high-school training— including four-year Moose scholarships to college when warranted. The great majority of the costs to operate the community are funded by the one-million-plus men and women of the Moose; it receives no government funding. Mooseis a fraternal organiza- tion founded in 1888, with 1.3 million men and women members in nearly 1,800 Moose Centers across the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda. For more information, visit www.Mooseintl.org or call (630) 966-2213.
