Belvidere Moose Lodge #295 hosts charity concert for food pantry

By Matt Helm

Reporter

BELVIDERE ─ The local chapter of the Moose International Family Fraternity, The Belvidere Moose Lodge #295, hosted a charity concert the night of Friday, Jan. 8.

“We hold these types of events as often as we can,” Moose Lodge #295 Governor Rick Arwood said. “We have one of the best dance halls around, especially with live music. Sometimes people forget that we are out here, so we really encourage the public to come and check this place out.”

The event included a Friday night fish fry along with the musical talents of Dale Rhode and The Crossroads Band.

“Dale performs here the first Friday of the month and we are grateful he pulls in such a big crowd. People love dancing to his country-western music and we get to help out the community at the same time which is what we are all about,” Arwood said.

All proceeds from the concert, dinner and raffle went to the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry.

“The members here feel good about what they do,” Moose Lodge member Mark Sandeen said. “It’s something we enjoy doing. We have many different events here and the public is always very giving.”

The crowd at the concert was sizeable, with many couples enjoying the dance floor. However, this event is just one of many when it comes to the charity work done at the Belvidere Moose Lodge.

“Anything you can think of that collects money for charity in the Boone County and Winnebago County area we try to contribute to,” Administrator Ed Fitch said. “Local churches, the Special Olympics, the YMCA, the Boone County Council on Aging, the Heritage Days Parade, breast cancer research–and that’s just to name a few. We have other concerts as well as car shows and outdoor events in the spring time.”

Moose International also sponsors the Mooseheart residential childcare facility in Illinois and the Moosehaven retirement community in Orange Park, Fla. The Belvidere Moose Lodge holds annual fundraisers for both of these projects.

“The children at Mooseheart have their own little community down there with healthcare and school and sports and everything else they need,” Fitch said. “We take good care of them. These kids are displaced and would be out on the streets if it weren’t for Mooseheart. When I go down there and see a little boy trying to lift a twenty pound turkey for Thanksgiving and the happiness on his face, that’s what it’s all about.”

The Belvidere Moose Lodge seats 300 people and encourages local charities to come to them to hold their events.

“We aren’t looking for a feather in our cap, we just like doing it,” Arwood said. “The Moose Lodge is kind of our home away from home.”

New members are always welcome at the Moose Lodge.

“The more members the better. We are having a membership drive right now, so this is our advertisement,” Arwood said. “Sure, you work your butt off, but when you see those kids down at Mooseheart you know why you do it.”

Belvidere Moose Lodge #295 hosts charity concert for food pantry

By Matt Helm

Reporter

BELVIDERE ─ The local chapter of the Moose International Family Fraternity, The Belvidere Moose Lodge #295, hosted a charity concert the night of Friday, Jan. 8.

“We hold these types of events as often as we can,” Moose Lodge #295 Governor Rick Arwood said. “We have one of the best dance halls around, especially with live music. Sometimes people forget that we are out here, so we really encourage the public to come and check this place out.”

The event included a Friday night fish fry along with the musical talents of Dale Rhode and The Crossroads Band.

“Dale performs here the first Friday of the month and we are grateful he pulls in such a big crowd. People love dancing to his country-western music and we get to help out the community at the same time which is what we are all about,” Arwood said.

All proceeds from the concert, dinner and raffle went to the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry.

“The members here feel good about what they do,” Moose Lodge member Mark Sandeen said. “It’s something we enjoy doing. We have many different events here and the public is always very giving.”

The crowd at the concert was sizeable, with many couples enjoying the dance floor. However, this event is just one of many when it comes to the charity work done at the Belvidere Moose Lodge.

“Anything you can think of that collects money for charity in the Boone County and Winnebago County area we try to contribute to,” Administrator Ed Fitch said. “Local churches, the Special Olympics, the YMCA, the Boone County Council on Aging, the Heritage Days Parade, breast cancer research–and that’s just to name a few. We have other concerts as well as car shows and outdoor events in the spring time.”

Moose International also sponsors the Mooseheart residential childcare facility in Illinois and the Moosehaven retirement community in Orange Park, Fla. The Belvidere Moose Lodge holds annual fundraisers for both of these projects.

“The children at Mooseheart have their own little community down there with healthcare and school and sports and everything else they need,” Fitch said. “We take good care of them. These kids are displaced and would be out on the streets if it weren’t for Mooseheart. When I go down there and see a little boy trying to lift a twenty pound turkey for Thanksgiving and the happiness on his face, that’s what it’s all about.”

The Belvidere Moose Lodge seats 300 people and encourages local charities to come to them to hold their events.

“We aren’t looking for a feather in our cap, we just like doing it,” Arwood said. “The Moose Lodge is kind of our home away from home.”

New members are always welcome at the Moose Lodge.

“The more members the better. We are having a membership drive right now, so this is our advertisement,” Arwood said. “Sure, you work your butt off, but when you see those kids down at Mooseheart you know why you do it.”