Julie Nelson
Mooseheart Chair
(714) 267-5772
mooseheart@ca-nvmmose.org
Jdn4801@sbcgobal.net
Hello Everyone,
April welcomed the students back to Campus after their spring vacations. However, spring weather was hit and miss. There were windy days, rain, thunderstorms and sunny days ranging from the upper 40s to the low 80s. Recently mid-spring weather has brought sunny days that have allowed the kids to go outdoors and ride their bikes and play outside on the courts, fields and playgrounds. April also featured a senior class service trip and their last senior outing together as a class.
Saturday, May 16th was the Blessing of the Bikes at the House of God. This is an annual event that started in 2004 with a small group of riders. It has grown into a large event with hundreds of Moose Riders from all over the country coming together at Mooseheart to have their bikes blessed for the upcoming riding season. All the proceeds raised go to support the kids at Mooseheart.
May is also centered around plans for the senior graduation, promotional ceremonies and the Pilgrim Conferral. On Sunday May 17th the seniors had dinner with Alumni. After dinner they were presented with a beautiful set of luggage from the No. Illinois Council of Higher Degrees. They also received engraved keychains from the Michigan Moose Association. The following week the nine graduates shopped for their first set of professional interview clothing courtesy of the Pennsylvania Moose Association.
To kick off the final week of school the students got a 3-day weekend for Memorial Day. Thursday May 28th was the Honors and Awards Ceremony where students were recognized for their academic achievements during the 2025 – 2026 school year. On May 29th the 5th and 8th graders were honored at their promotional Ceremony which was held in the Fieldhouse at 2pm. The following day was Senior Graduation at 9am in the Fieldhouse. The Pilgrim Ceremony followed at Noon in the House of God. Ten Moose Associations hosted picnics on the grounds on Commencement Day.
May 30th marked the official beginning of summer break. Many students were heading home over the following few days to visit family and friends. They had to be back on campus by 7pm on Sunday, June 14th. When they return many students and family teachers will be heading off on trips to visit various State Moose Associations.
Our California Nevada sponsored students, Carlee and Veronica are doing well and went home to Georgia for summer vacation.
Thank you to all the Lodges and Chapters that sponsor a Sunshine Child. Every little bit helps!
Mooseheart welcomes new students from California sponsored by Stockdale Lodge 2178
Carlee and Veronica
Carlee Harwell
Veronica Bynum
Paul Harvey Article
Guidelines For The Mooseheart Sunshine Program
The minimum a lodge or chapter needs to do for their Sunshine child is to send a birthday card/gift as well as a Christmas card/gift, but there is no real limit – and most lodges and chapters go far above those basics. We prefer that you send a tangible gift, chosen for them, rather than a gift card. Gift cards are very difficult to regulate, and we prefer a check for the student’s savings account if you choose not to provide a tangible gift.
What we want to do is build a passion within your lodge or chapter to connect with the life of this child. The whole point of sponsoring a child is to let them know that there are Moose members who care about them and support them. Whatever you choose to do and whatever your resources allow, do it with the knowledge that you’re giving hope and encouragement to a child! Feel free to contact us if you need anything!
Please send mail to:
Sunshine Department
Attn: “child name”
115 James J Davis Drive
Mooseheart, IL 60539
Come and Visit Our Campus - Take the Tour
GABRIEL IS ON THE COVER OF THE MOOSE MAGAZINE!!
During Christmas Break Autumn and Gabriel visited the Reseda Lodge and got a few gifts from Santa
California Nevada Moose Association sponsored student Autumn Campbell is inducted into the National Honor Society! Congratulations Autumn, you make us Moose proud!
Surley You Know Some Child That Could Benefit From Mooseheart!
“At each convention and Mid-year, I have given a report that we are not doing our job getting children from CA/NV. It seem the members are listening but nothing changes. They are filling Mooseheart with children from Chicago and Illinois – thank goodness. But we should change that and send more children from our two states. We are working our way down to NONE from here. We have only 2 left at Mooseheart.
Fraternally,
Blackie Veach
MOOSEHEART “It’s All About The Kids!”
