The Trustees of the Third District Lodge Charitable Trust wants to thank the members and District Lodges for responding in a very generous way to the Charitable Trust month of April. The generosity of all of you has resulted in about $5,500 in cash donations during the focus efforts. This allows us to continue support to our current beneficiaries for the next five months without having to sell any of our investments to create cash. If you would like more information regarding the Charitable Trust you can go to www.3Dsofn.org and click on “Charitable Giving” on the top menu bar.
Thank you,
Pete Hanson
3D Counselor.
How to be a friend to someone living with dementia
In the 3rd District of Sons of Norway, many of our members are senior citizens. Typically, we all know someone who is living with a degree of dementia. Often, we are unsure how to be most effective in bringing comfort to a friend who may be struggling and needs our help and compassion. The following suggestions may help.
- Educate yourself about the many types of dementia and how it manifests itself in different people.
- Be available to your friend. Call and invite them to activities you both enjoy. It could be lunch, a museum visit, or a lodge meeting.
- Avoid loud or crowded places when going out. They can be overwhelming and confusing.
- Ask what they need help with and are comfortable doing. They may need a ride to a meeting, help with grocery shopping or cooking a meal. Little things you take for granted may be a struggle for your friend. Make eye contact and let them know that it is wonderful to see them.
- Offer a personal touch. A hug or a gentle touch on the arm, hand or shoulder can mean a lot. Many persons with dementia feel others are afraid to interact with them.
- Exercise patience if you are repeatedly asked the same questions. Just answer and do not point out the repetition. Your friend may need extra time and space to respond. They be working to process information and thinking about what they want to say.
- Resist the temptation to correct or argue if your friend says something that is inaccurate. That may add to their feelings of frustration and embarrassment.
- Offer reminders or connections if they are confused. “We had lutefisk at our last meeting” can help jog the memory.
- Do not ask questions that tax short-term memory. Asking “What did you do today?” may be confusing. Instead, ask “How do you feel today?” and that will show that you care.
The Longest Day is an ongoing District 3 supported fundraising effort.
The Summer Solstice has come and gone but for the 3rd District it is an annual and year-long program. Donations are coming in and so far our generous members have donated $3,586.00 or 28% of our goal for 2021. To participate and donate or click on the logo
Son of Norway Foundation
The Sons of Norway Foundation is here for you . . . and it is here for good!
The mission of the Foundation is to share and preserve Nordic heritage, to positively affect our members’ lives, and to make Sons of Norway communities better places to live.
Since 1966, staying true to this purpose, the Foundation has been supporting our members through scholarships and cultural exchange opportunities, providing disaster relief to members in need, and funding community programs that celebrate Norwegian heritage and culture.
- In 2020 the Foundation provided $10,742 in camperships for youth to attend Norwegian culture camps in the USA.
- In 2020 the Foundation provided $3,800 in humanitarian aid to members and children in need.
- In 2020 the Foundation provided $23,530 in grants for Nordic culture and heritage programs.
- In 2020 the Foundation provided $17,170 in scholarships for American students studying in Norway.
- In 2020 the Foundation provided $89,100 for students to study in the United States and Canada.
To quote Foundation Development Manager Emily Stark, “First and foremost, I would like Sons of Norway members to know that the Foundation is a great resource for our members. We provide grants to our lodges and other partners to advance our core values, scholarships to members and their children and grandchildren, and the opportunity to achieve philanthropic goals that reflect your interests and passions.”
As of December 31, 2020, the net assets of the Foundation were $9,864,547. Most of these assets are in scholarship endowments.
For more information about grants and scholarships, go to the Sons of Norway website and click on Foundation. And remember . . . the Foundation is here for you . . . and it is here for good.
Thank you for your continued support.