58th Voluntary Campaign

BRING THE LIGHT

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; and those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” MATTHEW 4:16 NIV

Greetings Sir Knights of the Grand Encampment

Most Eminent Grand Master, Right Eminent Grand Officers and Sir Knights all, what a great year we had during the 57th Voluntary Campaign. Contributions for awards totaled $1,877,594.49. That is an increase of over 16%! The total amount received, including Trusts and Wills, topped out at $8,698,115.20, an increase of $337,648.88.

I am told this was the most money raised in any Voluntary Campaign, ever. You men did it. You brought light to those in darkness. You continued the miracles of Jesus Christ by healing the blind and inflicted, you are true Apostles of Christ.

I am humbled to be selected again to serve as your chairman for the 58th Annual Voluntary Campaign for the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. We all have a role to play, large or small, in the success of this Organization. My role is a simple one, writing articles and encouraging the awesome members of the Knights Templar to open their wallets and make contributions to a worthy and necessary charitable institution. My role is small. Yours is large. You are the men and women that get this job done. You are on the front lines of this fight against childhood blindness and elderly eye care. You are vital. Your role continues year after year to bring about the total obliteration of blindness in our children. Your importance in this cannot be undersold. It is vital, without you, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation does not exist. During this last campaign we focused on the Website, Facebook, and videos created by the Foundation. We reminded ourselves of the miracles of Jesus Christ and His work in healing the blind. We tried to bring light to the process and work of the Eye Foundation and our Scientific Advisory Board. With your results we seem to have had some success. But the mission continues. The need for funding is ever increasing. Let us not sit on our laurels but continue to focus on the needs of others, on the mission of the Foundation and on the good of humanity. Do not let our past successes blind us to the future needs of these children. We cannot simply praise ourselves for the success of the past and then do nothing to secure the future. We must press forward. Let us set a goal of generating a minimum of a five (5) percent increase over the prior year. I know you can do it.

We must communicate with each other. Tell your stories of success. Share with us on social media or through articles in the magazine or talks at functions what projects you took last year that helped bring light to those in darkness. We must learn from each other. I learned a great deal this last year from you and especially the staff at the Eye Foundation. Please, take time soon to thank them for their service and dedication. I also offer my services to you. I am not the greatest fundraiser, but I am ready to travel to your meetings and speak on behalf of the Voluntary Campaign. I am ready to help you help others. Call, text, or email me, if I am available, I will be there by your side to see the success you are striving for. If you are looking for inspiration and the history of the Eye Foundation, I recommend you read the overview in the KTEF Information Booklet which the Foundation distributed throughout the year. Or you can find it on the KTEF website (ktef.org) on the home page where you will see the current Information Booklet. When you open it, turn to page 4 and 5. This short article tells the story of Sir Knight Allen DeLamater, the father of the Eye Foundation. It will touch your heart.

May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you.

In His and your service,

Richard R. Jernigan, PGC
Chairman, 58th Annual Voluntary Campaign