CHIP — The Nebraska Freemasons Child Identification Program (CHIP) — is coming to Yorkfest!
Nebraska Freemasons invite children aged 18 and younger to participate in a comprehensive Child Identification Program at the Yorkshire Playhouse, 513 N Lincoln Ave, in York NE on September 10th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A CD will be provided that includes a brief interview, digital photographs, and digital fingerprints of the child. Professional personnel will make a Toothprint® dental impression with the child and perform a DNA cheek swab. Materials and instructions are also included for the at-home generation of scent pads for canine search and rescue. All materials are given to the parents for safekeeping. Only the permission form is kept on file, and the program is provided at no charge to the participants. The event is being paid for by York Masonic Lodge No. 56 in York.
The Toothprint® impression is a relatively new means of identification where the child bites down on a softened thermoplastic wafer, making a permanent, archivable record of their teeth. Toothprints® were developed by Dr. David Tesini of Massachusetts, a pediatric dentist who developed Toothprints® as another means of identifying a child that fingerprints alone may not guarantee.
Mr. Peter Banks, Director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, was the first to suggest that the saliva on the Toothprint® wafers might be a suitable sample for nuclear DNA testing and scent recovery by bloodhound recovery dogs; both have been clinically documented. It has been shown that 3 years after a Toothprint® has been taken, the saliva is still viable for DNA testing. He also stated that, since the Toothprint® wafer is sealed in a “zipperâ€-type plastic bag, enough scent remains for a trained dog to identify and track it. Cheek swabs provide DNA and, when frozen, are stated to last for up to 20 years.
Masonic Child Identification programs are held periodically throughout Nebraska and may be sponsored by any group but are generally sponsored by local Masonic Lodges as part of their community service programs. Many school officials have requested that the program be brought into the school systems in their municipalities.
The frightening statistics show that over one million children are reported missing in the United States each year, with more than 100,000 attempted abductions by non-family members for the same period. The fact that more than 3,000 Americans remain unidentified makes the value of this program enormous.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recognizes CHIP as one of the most complete child recovery and identification programs in the nation. The program is also endorsed by the State Troopers Association of Nebraska, the Nebraska Sheriffs’ Association, the Nebraska Dental Association, the Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association, and SAR Unit, Inc. of Nebraska (search and rescue).
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. The Grand Lodge of Nebraska was established in 1857. Today, there are nearly 12,000 Freemasons in Nebraska who meet in 139 individual Lodges in cities and towns throughout the state. The Nebraska Masonic family includes the appendant bodies of the Order of the Eastern Star, Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite, DeMolay, Job’s Daughters and Rainbow for Girls. The jurisdiction of Nebraska is very proud of the Masonic unity members have worked very hard to foster throughout each of the appendant bodies.
Freemasons in North America contribute more than $2,000,000 each day to charity. Freemasons operate the 22 Shriners burn and orthopedic hospitals around the country where there is never a charge to the patient, parent or any third party for any service or medical treatment received at the hospitals.
Nebraska Freemasons annually contribute to the Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth and the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont. They also provide more than $40,000 in academi scholarship assistance annually. The Masonic Family also sponsors and supports the Order of DeMolay for young men and the International Order of Rainbow Girls and Job’s Daughters for young women, with several active chapters, assemblies and bethels here in Nebraska.
For more information, call 1-800-558-8029 or visit the Nebraska Grand Lodge web site at: www.glne.org.
