ARLINGTON Traumatized children in the Arlington area will have their own herd of small, stuffed, plush moose to cuddle with, but the local Moose Lodge hopes to do more,
Arlington Moose Lodge 2645 donated two dozen Tommy Moose dolls to the Arlington Police and Fire Departments April 16, which Arlington Fire Chief Jim Rankin praised as an effective method of comforting children.
The stuffed animals are small enough that emergency response personnel can carry them in their cars and medic units to scenes, Rankin said. Theyve proven successful in relaxing children and mitigating their anxieties.
Chris Jones, incoming governor of Arlington Moose Lodge 2645, pledged to replenish the Arlington Police and Fire Departments herds of Tommy Moose dolls as often as needed. According to Jones, children are the Moose Lodges first responsibility.
Carole Swan, senior regent of Moose Lodge 2645s sister Chapter 2329, estimates that the Arlington Moose Lodge was established a year and a half ago, after relocating from Marysville. She places the official number of female Moose members in the area at approximately 40, while Jones reported that there are roughly 50 male Moose members in the books for Arlington. However, because these numbers predate the local Moose Lodge and the Chapters move from Marysville, Swan and Jones agreed that recruitment is also a high priority for them.
Wed like to get involved with the Food Bank and programs like Adopt a Highway, Jones said. We want to be a good neighbor to this community, and our doors are open to suggestions, as well as to new members.
Roger Gosch, assistant secretary for Arlington Moose Lodge 2645, explained that the Lodge is looking for service-oriented citizens, as well as a location that they can rent for relatively cheap. A significant portion of the groups proceeds go toward the Mooseheart Child City in Illinois, a 1,000-acre community with its own homes, schools, post office and utilities, for children who have lost parents, come from broken homes or are in severe financial need. Closer to this area, the local Moose Lodge has already contributed to activities ranging from Easter egg hunts to the Special Olympics, in Marysville and at Fort Lewis.
Were involved in the administration, judging and helping with lunches, said Jones, who deemed any positive contribution to a childs self-esteem and well-being to be worth their efforts. One detective in Illinois told me about an abused girl who wouldnt talk to anyone, not even her mother, but she finally opened up when he talked to her through the Tommy Moose doll. If weve eased the suffering of even one scared little kid, thats the noblest thing we can do.
The Moose men of Lodge 2645 meet the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Arlington American Legion Post 76 building. The Moose women of Chapter 2329 meet the first and third Mondays of every month at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse of La Tierra Estates mobile home park in Marysville. Jones can be reached by phone at 425-879-4808 after 2:30 p.m., while Swans phone number is 206-954-7387.