Foundation benefits after club breaks state fund-raising record

The Saint Francis Foundation recently received a donation of $64,557.50 thanks to the Missouri State Eagles Aerie and State Auxiliary.

Last June the annual charity selection by the Missouri State Eagles Aerie and State Auxiliary was children's cancer research and treatment.

John Boyd of Cape Girardeau, State Aerie president, designated that half of the monies be donated to Saint Francis Medical Center. Sue Durst of Independence, the State Auxiliary madam president, designated the other half for donation to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Since the money would be evenly divided on both sides of the state, the entire state membership supported the project.

Boyd and Durst ran races, took pies in the face and spent 51 weekends traveling to Eagles clubs across Missouri to promote the charity project. Raffles, plant and bake sales, car washes and donations from the state, individuals and grants from the Grand Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles raised $139,095 combined. A donation of $69,547.50 was made to each hospital.

The motto of the Fraternal Order of Eagles is "People Helping People." Annually, nationwide, the Fraternal Order of Eagles donates nearly $10 million to charities in the United States and Canada.