Moose converge on Mooseheart for homecoming Saturday
One of the great annual gatherings at Mooseheart takes place Saturday, Sept. 27 when Moose members and alumni from across the U.S. celebrate the high school's homecoming.
Homecoming events will feature decorated school and residence homes in a "Superheroes" theme.
Saturday, Moose from seven State Associations gather to show their support of the campus their memberships and donations have supported since its founding in 1913. Sept. 27 is the "state day" for the Iowa-E. Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware-D.C., Oklahoma and Missouri Moose Associations.
"When you look at the Mooseheart calendar, at homecoming, you have the alumni and Moose members coming from throughout the nation," Moose International Director General/CEO Scott Hart said. "Certainly graduation is one of those days, but also homecoming, which embodies Americana from the pep rally to the bonfire and the football game."
Homecoming re-emphasizes the bond between the Moose and Mooseheart. The Oklahoma and Missouri Moose Associations will make a check presentation at the Antoinette Marinello Residence Home at 9:30 a.m. and additional presentations will be made by the Iowa-E. Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Moose Associations through the morning.
"We talk a lot at Mooseheart about relationship building and how do the children build relationships with their Family Teachers, their schoolteachers and others," Hart said. "It's the same with the Moose Fraternity. Maybe someone has been a member for one or two or five or even 25 years and they've never been on the Mooseheart campus. This is an opportunity for them to really connect with one of the foundational pillars of the Moose."
Hart added, "I've never had a member come to me and say 'I came to Mooseheart and toured Baby Village and met the children and watched one of the athletic teams play in a contest and I want to drop my dues.' I've never heard a member say that. It's always the opposite. We want the members to come and see what the Moose is doing for children in-need."
New this year is a ceremony to honor Vietnam War veterans at the campus' Flag Plaza at 11:30 a.m.
Mooseheart has been home to 12,000 children since its founding and currently has a population of 220.
Former students and high school alumni return at homecoming for a series of activities sponsored by the Mooseheart Alumni Association, including a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with all proceeds benefiting the ongoing $10 million Mooseheart school renovation project.
"This is the time of the year when we support the school and the education of our children," Hart said. "For our members to be able to come out and tour the school and see the fruits of their labor is important. The campus is so beautiful at this time of the year."
As with all homecomings, the centerpiece on Saturday is the football game between the Ramblers and visiting Christian Liberty. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. At halftime, the homecoming king and queen will be crowned.
All campus activities on Sept. 27 are open to the public. For more information, visit mooseheart.org.