Celebrating its 65th anniversary, Malden Moose Lodge continues its work of caring

By Tara Vocino

Many patrons have attended Moose events, but not many know the backstory of the Loyal Order of Moose, the fraternal and service organization founded in 1888 and headquartered in Mooseheart, Illinois, with a membership of over one million members. The Moose organization is known for its dedication to children and seniors with their support of two facilities: the Mooseheart Child City & School, a 1,000-acre campus located 40 miles west of Chicago, which supports children and teens in need, and Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville, Florida, for elderly residents who have at least 15 years of service to the Moose organization. According to Moose International, the organization contributes between $75 to $100 million worth of community service (counting monetary donations, volunteer hours worked and miles driven) annually.

In an interview at the Malden Moose Lodge No. 1910 at 562 Broadway, Rte. 99, in Malden last Friday afternoon, Malden Moose President Ed “Porky” Strong said the Lodge is one of many throughout the United States and Canada that support the two facilities.

“If something happens to anyone under age 18 with a parental hardship, they are able to live there,” 54-year member Strong said, regarding Mooseheart. “They usually get a college scholarship, or they will join the service – they give them a high school education and a chance to join the ROTC or enter a trade.”

“That’s the reason that I’m involved in the Moose organization,” Strong said. “I don’t have any children of my own, but those are my kids.”

For 33-year Lodge Administrator Henry Dorazio, of Malden, he became invested following in his father’s footsteps, also named Henry, who was the original administrator in 1959. “It’s satisfying to me,” Dorazio said. “Circling back to the children’s home, they live in family-like settings situated on farmland and attend public school.

“Similar to an assisted living facility, they have a dining room, hospital, activity center and a lounge,” said Strong about Moosehaven. “It is paid for by seniors’ social security checks.”

Keeping it local, the Malden Moose Lodge has 522 members with active memberships – and over 100 of them are women. Dues are $60 yearly, with the exception of this year’s special discount: $40 annually offered during the club’s anniversary. The discount is in honor of the Malden Moose’s 65th anniversary, which will be highlighted with a visit from Moose International Chairman John Sipes on Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m. Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, Police Chief Glenn Cronin and Assistant Fire Chief Lennie Dunn are slated to be in attendance.

Besides providing for children in Illinois and seniors in Florida, the Moose gives back locally. According to Senior Regent Kathy Hannan, they initiated a Toys for Malden drive, amounting to approximately 700 toys this year, which are dropped off at the police station.

“I’m a Moose member, because giving back to children and the elderly is amazing,” Hannan said.

Dorazio added that the Moose runs a peer pressure prevention program in elementary schools and churches for approximately 40 children. The Moose also raises $2,500 for the Breast Cancer Association at a Halloween dance. In addition, the Moose has a sock drive for veterans and collects backpacks for Housing Families in Malden. Each local lodge collectively donates $500, according to Dorazio.

As far as activities, Hannan said the Lodge has shuffleboard, bocce, a pool table and darts – open from 1 to 10 p.m. weekdays and later on weekends. To become a member, fill out an application at the lounge.

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