SARANAC LAKE — Officials from Homeward Bound Adirondacks, a veteran service organization in northern New York, say they are grateful to the Order of the Eastern Star of New York for its donations totaling more than $33,681 to support HBA’s work.

The Order of the Eastern Star chose HBA as its major veteran’s project at its Grand Chapter Session in Binghampton. This began an ambitious year-long fund-raising effort. The award would not have been possible without the leadership of Grand Matron Karen Kennedy (Chemung-Schuyler-Tioga District) and Grand Patron Ralph Hastings (Franklin District) who together chose Homeward Bound Adirondacks to be the beneficiary of the year-long fundraising drive.

Speaking for the board and staff of Homeward Bound Adirondacks, Chairman Mark Moeller, of Tupper Lake, extended his sincere appreciation to Kennedy and to Hastings.

“We are most grateful to the Order of the Eastern Star of New York for this significant contribution,” he said in a release. “It will help us in our current effort to develop a veteran’s retreat center in the town of Malone, Franklin County, where veterans needing to overcome the challenges of post traumatic stress disorder can find renewed purpose and joy in life.”

Founded on high moral standards — charity, truth, and loving kindness — the Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world whose members, both men and women have a relationship or membership with the Masonic Fraternity. Membership is open to people who are 18 years or older. There is an associated youth group which teaches young people to be leaders, to respect and help others, and to be good citizens. The Order of the Eastern Star of New York maintains its offices and campus in Oriskany, where in July each year it hosts a pilgrimage and fair.

The Order’s tradition of members helping one another is practiced extensively. Among its programs are emergency relief, social services, volunteer services, educational assistance, contributions to veterans in need, and support for hospitals which serve veterans.

Throughout 2023, each chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of New York, together with district leaders and members, sold Homeward Bound Adirondacks pins in addition to organizing specific fundraising events to support and promote the programs of HBA.

Homeward Bound’s Executive Director Valerie Ainsworth was proud to accept a check for the Order’s donation of $33,681. After that donation, additional checks continued to arrive at HBA’s office in Saranac Lake from individual members of the Order of the Eastern Star and others who were inspired by the selfless efforts of OES members on HBA’s behalf.