SMOKEY POINT While CHIP stands for Child Identification Program, the elderly are also eligible to receive CHIP kits, since Arlington Masonic Lodge 129 is inviting all ages to have CHIP kits done Oct. 13 at the Ancient Arts Family Karate Academy in Smokey Point.
Warren Schoeben, of the Arlington Masonic Lodge, said the free kits provide law enforcement agencies with useful tools that could recover lost loved ones.
It provides law enforcement with immediate information, Schoeben said. The DNA gives the dogs your scent, and the DVD not only gives your height, but also shows you from all angles. When a childs on the video, you can see how they act when they answer questions, whether they twitch or twiddle their thumbs, or have birthmarks or moles.
Each CHIP kit includes a three-to five-minute DVD of the child or adult, a dental print, DNA swabs and a fingerprint card, all of which the child or adults family takes home with them.
Theyve been featured on Americas Most Wanted and in Amber Alerts, Schoeben said. It started as a child protection program, but it was expanded to cover the elderly, since they can be useful to Alzheimers and dementia patients. Now, its open to anybody, since teens and adults can disappear, too.
Schoeben assured families that the only things the Masons keep after issuing the CHIP kits are the permission slips authorizing them to create the kits, which are disposed of after a month.
Everything they give us is handed right back to them after were done, Schoeben said. We have a dental hygienist who performs the tooth prints, and all of our people who are involved in the CHIP kits undergo background checks.
For Schoeben, such an event reflects one of the Masons main goals.
At the Evergreen State Fair, we were able to serve more than 2,000 people with these kits, but its nice to be able to contribute to the local community as well, Schoeben said. Community projects like this are what the Masons are all about.
Arlington Mason Lodge 129 will assemble CHIP kits Oct. 13 at the Ancient Arts Family Karate Academy on 3131 Smokey Point Drive in Arlington. Contact Schoeben at wsms72@msn.com for more information.