Fraternal Order of Eagles Charity Foundation and Circle of Life
The Charity Foundation was organized to combine the many health care related funds,
children’s charity funds and general undesignated donations in order to streamline
administrative expenses and make giving easier. Contributions for all the Charity
Foundation funds can be made via a single check for better administrative management
for local aeries and auxiliaries.
The Circle of Life program offers an opportunity for every member of the Fraternal
Order of Eagles to directly participate in and support "People Helping People" programs.
The Circle of Life program was added in 2005 to answer the need of many members
who fully believe in the Eagles, but may not have the opportunity to participate
in the many activities held to raise funds for charity. Each member is eligible
to be a Circle of Life patron by contributing a donation directly to the Charity
Foundation. The member will then receive a sticker to attach to their dues receipt
designating the member as a Circle of Life patron. States and provinces receive
credit for the individual contributions towards their annual contributions. The
Circle of Life money proceeds as well as undesignated contributions will be used
to fund the humanitarian programs for which the Fraternal Order of Eagles is so
well known.
Each year at the Grand Aerie International Convention, Regional Conferences and
special events such as the institution of new aeries and auxiliaries, grants will
be made to local communities. These grants are funded by the money provided from
local aeries and auxiliaries. Once these grants are funded, the remaining money
is available to those states/provinces for grants. The goal of the Circle of Life
and undesignated donations is to fund 100 percent of the Grand Aerie International
Convention, Regional Convention and new institution grants. Once this goal is reached,
100 percent of funds contributed by the states/provinces will be available to the
states and provinces as grants.
Max Baer Heart Fund
Max Baer was a former heavyweight boxing champion and an active member of the Fraternal
Order of Eagles. Known for his big heart and colorful sense of humor, Max was well
loved by his fellow Eagles. When Max died of a heart attack in 1959, the Eagles
created a charity fund as a tribute to his memory and as a means of combating the
disease that killed him.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 71 million Americans are
affected with heart disease.
The Max Baer Heart Fund’s primary purpose is to aid in heart research and education.
Since the fund started in 1959, millions of dollars have been donated to universities,
medical centers and hospitals across the United States and Canada for heart research
and education.
Early diagnosis of heart disease is very important and can determine quality of
life. Local aerie and auxiliaries sponsor free public CPR classes, blood pressure
checks and blood sugar screenings, administered by licensed instructors. After sponsoring
a CPR class, the local aerie/auxiliary can apply to give a grant to their local
emergency response team to purchase life saving equipment and technology.
Robert W. Hansen Diabetes Fund
There are approximately 20.8 million children and adults in the United States who
have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, there are another
6.2 million that are unaware they have the disease.
The Robert W. Hansen Diabetes fund, named for the former two-time Grand Worthy President,
was incorporated into the Max Baer Heart Fund in 1978 when research confirmed that
diabetes is associated with heart problems. The goal of this fund was and still
is, finding a cure for this long time killer.
One hundred percent of the money raised is spent on research, equipment, education,
and CPR or drug awareness.
Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund
Art Ehrmann served as the first director of the Eagle's Cancer Fund, founded in
November 1959, and as editor of Eagle Publications for 25 years. Art died of cancer
and in his memory the Eagle’s Cancer Fund was renamed the Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund.
Since the fund's inception, the Fraternal Order of Eagles have donated more than
$50 million to cancer research.
Since the fund began in 1959, millions of dollars have been granted to various institutions
for research and related projects. Although the cancer death rate continues to decline,
continual research is essential. The National Cancer Institute reported in 2006
that 564,830 Americans were expected to die of cancer — more than 1,500 per
day. In addition to research, early cancer detection and education are areas that
the charitable Eagle dollars have a direct impact.
D.D. Dunlap Kidney Fund
The D.D. Dunlap Kidney Fund was established at the 1978 Fraternal Order of Eagles
International Convention in Spokane, Washington. Its purpose is to raise funds for
grants to universities, hospitals and other institutions involved in kidney research
and related projects. All money raised goes directly for research. Through the years,
millions of dollars have been raised for the D.D. Dunlap Kidney Fund. Millions have
also been granted to various hospitals and medical centers for research programs.
Jimmy Durante Children's Fund
Money raised through the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund and Child Abuse Fund are
one of the Eagle's greatest achievements.
The fund was named in honor of Jimmy Durante, one of the Eagle's most beloved human
beings and an active life-member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Jimmy entertained
without charge at fourteen consecutive Grand Aerie International Conventions and
at many other Eagle gatherings until his death in 1980. Because of Jimmy's gentle
and kind manner, the children's fund was named after him in 1966.
All money raised for the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund or Child Abuse Fund is returned
to that state or province in the form of grants to children-helping organizations
of the state's choosing. The selection of the recipients is up to the State Aerie
President, with the approval of the State Executive Board utilizing the money available
in the state's account.
Children's Aids Awareness and Medical Research
Nearly 10,000 children under age 13 are currently living with HIV in North America.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles will pursue a mission to increase the amount of available
information for at risk families and educate young people as to the dangers of the
AIDS virus. Donations will also be set aside for medical research for this terrible
disease.
Lew Reed Spinal Cord Injury Fund
The Grand Aerie charity benefiting those crippled by spinal cord injuries is named
in honor of Past Grand Worthy President Lewis Reed.
Automobile accidents are the greatest cause of spinal cord injuries.
The Lew Reed Spinal Cord Injury Fund is dedicated to improving the quality of life
for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury
and disease (SCI/D) and their families.
This fund has partnered with the National Spinal Cord Injury Association to provide
funds for research, and to develop and evaluate new ways of assisting middle-aged
and older persons living with the long-term effects of SCI/D.
Golden Eagle, Alzheimer and Parkinson Funds
In the early 1970s the Eagles took to heart the statistics of the fast-growing ranks
of the elderly, thus the National Golden Eagle Fund was founded. The fund quickly
became the only senior-oriented fundraising program. Since that time, donations
to the National Golden Eagle Fund have provided $1,000 grants to charitable organizations
for community-oriented programs primarily serving the aged.
Golden Age Grants
Aeries and auxiliaries can request Golden Age Grants for those organizations benefiting
the community's aged. By 2006, more than 2,097 grants have been made. (Does not
include larger grants made at Grand Aerie International Conventions). The National
Golden Eagle Fund is approaching $4 million in donations received.
Alzheimer and Parkinson Funds
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a brain disorder that seriously
affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities.
In addition to funds raised by the aeries and auxiliaries for Alzheimer's Disease
and Parkinson’s Disease, the Charity Foundation provides grants for research each
year to institutions and hospitals for Alzheimer and Parkinson research projects.
Disaster Relief Fund
The approval to make Past Grand Worthy President John Potter's special project for
the 2007-2008 year an official charity of the Fraternal Order of Eagles was approved
by the voting delegation of the 2008 Grand Aerie International Convention in Louisville,
KY. The fund is designed to develop and financially support a first response program
for national disaster situations in Canada and the United States.
As the program grows, the desire is to host a fleet of trailers throughout the countries
equipped with basic emergency needs — water, first aid supplies, food, etc. for
distribution at the emergency site. The semis will be fully funded and managed by
Eagle Members. All semi trailers will be clearly marked The Fraternal Order of Eagles
Disaster Relief Fund and a network of member volunteer commercial drivers and service
volunteers will be established to support in the response of a national disaster.
The teams closest to the disaster site are charged with bringing the fully stocked
trailer to the disaster site and distributing the items available for victims and
others in need.
Members can support the program through the following ways:
- Fundraise at the local aerie and auxiliary
- Volunteer to participate in the local Emergency Management Operations as a representative
of the Fraternal Order of Eagles
- Volunteer to be a driver (current CDL required)
- Volunteer as a member of the distribution group
- Encourage a friend to join the program too
To learn more or request additional information, please contact
disasterrelief@foe.com.
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