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CHIP PROGRAM
give families a measure of protection against this ever
increasing problem, the Grand Lodge of Indiana and Indiana
DeMolay are proud to introduce the Child Identification Program
to the state of Indiana. Based on a very successful program
started by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, the Indiana
Freemasons Child Identification Program (CHIP) addresses the
alarming fact that over 1,000,000 children are reported missing
in the United States each year. Sadly, the abduction of children
is both under-reported and rapidly increasing in our society.
While most are found, many are not.
The Indiana Freemasons' CHIP is the most comprehensive child
identification program currently available to our communities.
CHIP helps concerned parents to promote the safety of their
children by providing a fast, simple packet of information to help
authorities identify and recover lost, missing or exploited kids.
The program consists of a brief interview with the child that is
recorded on a video cassette to show his or her mannerisms and
speech patterns. The child's fingerprints are taken, and a DNA
sample is made by swabbing the inside of the child's mouth. All
identifying materials are given to the parent or guardian once
the child has been processed. No materials or private
information is retained by the Freemasons or any law
enforcement agency. The program is free and no appointment is
necessary.
Indiana Lodges are encouraged to find ways to appear at local
fairs, carnivals or events. Local schools may also be interested
in hosting the program. Lodges may group together to share
costs and volunteers, and local law enforcement agencies have
been historically supportive of these events.
Lodges interested in holding a CHIP event should contact Jeff
Koleszar at the Indiana DeMolay Foundation, at (317) 736-9448
or via e-mail at indianademolay@insightbb.com. All questions
that go to the Grand Lodge office are referred to the DeMolay
Foundation. Kits containing all materials needed and a detailed
instruction manual will be shipped to the Lodges and a box will
be included to return the materials when the event has ended.
Each kit is equipped to handle 100 children over a four hour
period and costs $195. This price includes shipping to the Lodge,
however, the Lodge must pay to return the materials at the
conclusion of the event.
Organization and publicity are crucial to the success of a CHIP
event, and Lodges are encouraged to develop partnerships with
local civic and parents groups, not only to ease manpower
burdens on the Lodge, but to give a stronger local sense of
involvement for the whole community.
In order to be successful, CHIP must be made consistently
available throughout the state of Indiana, and all Freemasons
are encouraged to support their lodges and other community
groups in this project. When you consider the frightening
statistics that over one million children are reported missing in
the United States each year, and there are over 100,000
attempted abductions by non-family members for the same
period, the value of this program is enormous.
CHIP provides Freemasons with the opportunity to bring before
our communities the principles of their Craft by example and
deeds. By increasing awareness of what Freemasonry means
and what Freemasons do, we promote the public image of our
Fraternity. And we strengthen our ability to grow and provide
even more good to our communities and to those whom we so
dearly love, our families. Through our example it is our aim that
others too will become stronger in their desire to make our
communities better places in which to live. Please help make
CHIP a success in Indiana.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU CAN CONTACT ME OR MY
CO-CHAIR AT ANYTIME
DAVID EMBRY--CHAIRMAN CHIP COMMITTEE
MARVIN EMBRY--CO-CHAIRMAN