Brotherhood In Action

2012 Brotherhood In Action Community Breakfast Benefit

2012-01-11T05:04:00.000-08:00

Announcing the Manchester

Brotherhood In Action

2012 Community Breakfast

to Benefit Natalie Cosman!

The deserving recipient of our charitable event is a

7 year old young girl diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Sunday, February 26th, 2012

9AM to 12PM

at the Masonic Temple

25 East Center Street, Manchester, CT

Donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children

Tickets can be bought prior to the event through

any Brotherhood In Action member organization

or at the door the day of the event. Contact B.I.A.

at 860-643-9716 or brotherhoodinaction@gmail.com.

There will be no Storm Date this year.

Brotherhood In Action is a Manchester group

of fraternal organizations of different ethnic

and religious backgrounds who work together

to help our community while fostering

friendship and mutual understanding.

2011 Annual Charitable Community Breakfast

2011-01-17T07:36:00.000-08:00

Announcing the
Manchester Brotherhood In Action
Community Breakfast 2011
to Benefit Austin Irish and Anya Houlroyd

The deserving recipients of this charitable event are a brain cancer patient and a brain-injured auto accident victim.

Sunday, February 27th, 2011
9AM to 12PM
at the Masonic Temple
25 East Center Street, Manchester

Donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children
Tickets can be bought prior to the event through
any Brotherhood In Action member organization
or at the door the day of the event.

There will be no storm delay date this year.

Brotherhood In Action is a Manchester group
of fraternal organizations of different ethnic
and religious backgrounds who work together
to help our community while fostering
friendship and mutual understanding.

The Newbie's Perspective

2010-04-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

March 21st was a beautiful, clear, sunny day, just like the day of "The Event." After a very typical Sunday morning with my family, my wife Dana and I packed up the kids and made our way to the Masonic lodge in Manchester for the 2 P.M. check presentation.

I was excited to see my charitable work to it's conclusion and share that with my family. I believe that giving is the strongest motivator when it is matched with personal passion. By showing my children the importance of giving, I hoped they would walk way with an appreciation for life and remember this rewarding experience. Spending time with Liana & Rosa might be powerful to them as they are all small children.

Thinking back to March 7th, "The Event", the day could not have been better. The volunteers gathered early and were such an organized bunch that it was clear to me that this was going to be a great day. The members of the BIA have done this event over and over for many years, so the only unknown was my efforts as event public relations manager, "the BIA Rookie." Steve Aldi, the BIA chairperson was on top of his game and flawlessly orchestrated all event volunteers from planning through implementation.

9 A.M., the first of the community breakfast patrons enters the downstairs hall at the Masonic lodge and the controlled chaos begins! As for me, I'm snapping pictures left and right and capturing video to document our efforts. The deserving Simmons and Doane families arrive minutes apart around 9:30 to find the hall already teeming with people. By 10 A.M., we are preparing the "extra" tables that were staged and ready to handle any potential overflow! What a wonderful problem to have! We planned on serving 250 meals, but it was clear that someone was going to need to make a food run or else risk disappointing the crowd that came out in support of Rosa and Liana.

By 11 A.M., the patrons were still filing in and we served meals even as we were beginning to beakdown tables and chairs at noon. All that was leftover were a few dozen bagels and a gallon or two of milk. We were cleaned out! As I leave the Masonic lodge, my spirits are high and I am empowered to take on more charitable work.

The BIA member organizations had proudly sacrificed our time and energies to raise funds for the medical and related expenses of Rosa and Liana. To see both young girls interact with one another and display such large smiles at the community breakfast was all the payment we could ask for in return.

Getting back to March 21st, we presented a BIG fake check, followed by a more meaningful, small one shortly afterward. Through all the efforts of the BIA, the grace of God, the cooperative weather and two wonderful and deserving children, we were able to increase the proceeds by $1500 for a total of $4000 provided to Liana & Rosa. After the presentation, we gathered to eat, drink, talk and reflect on the events of the past few months.

Why I say giving coupled with passion is a powerful motivator lies in the fact that my beautiful wife is a cancer survivor of more than 5 years. I would go to the ends of the earth to help those with cancer, especially when they are beautiful children, a gift from God to be cherished, nurtured and protected. For more than ten years, Dana and I have been involved in the South Windsor Relay for Life as survivor, caregiver and as participants. We hope you pick a charitable endeavor and pursue it with passion!

I invite you to attend, donate or repeat this memorable story of "The Event" as a way to continue to help us do more for children with life threatening illnesses next year.

2010 BIA Check Presentation Pictures

2010-03-21T17:51:00.001-07:00

OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO...

2010-03-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

The Brotherhood In Action of Manchester wish to recognize the following persons, organizations, and businesses that contributed to the success of the 2010 Community Breakfast:

Sponsor Organizations
Beth Sholom B'nai Israel Brotherhood
Knights of Columbus Campbell Council #573, Manchester, CT
Mason Friendship Tuscan Lodge #145
Mason Manchester Lodge #73
UNICO of Manchester

Donation Sponsors
Big Y
CVS
McDonald's (Walsh Enterprises)
Westside Mobil Mart

Advertising Sponsors
Igdalsky & Company - CPAs
Westside Mobil Mart - Gas & Convenience Store
Dialect Accent Specialists, Inc. - Speech Improvement Specialist
Manchester Police Union Local 1495 - Need I say more?!
Paul L. Rubin - Attorney at Law
DuBaldo Systems Inc. - Alarm and Protection Systems
Vernon Regional Adult Basic Education - Carl Mandell, Ed.D.
Damato Enterprises - Contractors/Developers/Apartment Rentals
Digestive Health Services - Peter S. Buch, M.D. & James W. O'Brien, M.D.
Prestige Printing Corporation - Printing & Reprographic Services
Cory Turner Home Improvement Contractors, LLC - Remodeling Services
P & P Auto Repair Inc. - Foreign & Domestic Auto Service
Manchester Podiatry Center, P.C. - Dr. Kenneth Wichman
Parkade Health & Nutrition Center - Michael Dworkin, P.D, M.S.
Kahan Kerensky & Capossela LLP Attorneys at Law - William E. Breslau
Mason Friendship Tuscan Lodge #145
Mason Manchester Lodge #73
Mason Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88
Temple Chapter #53 Order of the Eastern Star
Metal Industries, Inc. - Metallizing Services, Machine Component Repair & Fabrication
HealthWise Medical Associates, LLP
Harmony Home Improvement - Remodeling Services
Knights of Columbus Campbell Council #573, Manchester, CT
UNICO, Manchester Chapter
Beth Sholom B'nai Israel Brotherhood
Sphinx Omar Shrine Club
Sphinx Highlanders Pipes & Drums
ERA Blanchard & Rossetto, Inc. - Real Estate
John F. Tierney Funeral Home Inc.
Joseph A. Prignano, D.D.S., Marlborough, CT

Brotherhood In Action 2010 Event Pictures

2010-03-10T03:09:00.000-08:00

The community comes together in support of Rosa and Liana! Former 2008 & 2009 recipients Charlotte Wesoloskie and Thomas Ersevim are in attendance with family members as well!

2010 BIA Event Videos

2010-03-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

Charitable Community Breakfast 2010

2010-02-04T17:24:00.000-08:00

Announcing the
Manchester Brotherhood In Action
Community Breakfast 2010
to Benefit Rosa Doane (5 years old) and Liana Simmons (4 years old)

The deserving recipients of this charitable event are cancer patients
undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Sunday, March 7th, 2010
9AM to 12PM
at the Masonic Temple
25 East Center Street, Manchester

Donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children
Tickets can be bought prior to the event through
any Brotherhood In Action member organization
or at the door the day of the event.

Storm Delay Date will be March 14th.

Brotherhood In Action is a Manchester group
of fraternal organizations of different ethnic
and religious backgrounds who work together
to help our community while fostering
friendship and mutual understanding.

The Love Chromosome and A Shining Example For All of Us

2010-01-29T12:43:00.000-08:00

If you ever have seen the sign that says "Live, Laugh, Love", that is the essence of Rosa Doane. On top of the challenges that Rosa's Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) present, she also has Down Syndrome which is a condition where her cells have an extra chromosome. Her family affectionately call it the LOVE chromosome! Throughout her experience, Rosa has shown so much caring and compassion for others. She is a shinning example for all of us.

You can learn and follow the progress of Rosa on her Caringbridge web page: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rosadoane

WILL YOU HELP US HELP ROSA?

HER FATHER IS A BROTHER KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS IN COVENTRY!!!

A Mother's Worst Nightmare - Day 4 - Uncertain Future and A Newly Found Passion

2010-01-25T12:31:00.000-08:00

I extended my finger, pushed the button and the doorbell rang. An explosion of barking rang out as Hunter (the gregarious, approval-seeking, black-coated dog) and Luke (the golden-coated confident dog) made their presence know to me. It startled me a bit as I wasn't expecting the noise. Melissa approached the door and we shared a smile through the glass panels of the entrance. Before opening the door and unleashing the hounds, she asked "Are you OK with dogs?" This was how my visit to Liana's home began and before leaving I would feel many different emotions and all in less than an hour.

Having come a few minutes early, I had caught Melissa without her Mom there to watch the children (Liana is 4 and Taresa is 3 going on 20). So while we waited for the cavalry, Melissa introduced me to the kids. As we stood in the kitchen, I motioned to Liana to come closer. I had a "secret" to share with her that I thought would help put her at ease. I bent over and whispered "my wife had cancer too." From that point on we had the most wonderful conversation about my wife's experience with cancer and the treatments. Liana wanted to know if my wife also had a port like her. I said, "Yes she did." Chemotherapy can be stressful on a patient's veins, so a port is implanted in a patient's chest to provide a consistent injection site for treatments.

Melissa's mom came to the rescue and after a discussion of Disney princesses and the movie of the day "Ratatoulle", Melissa and I sat down to discuss the important stuff. After viewing Liana's Caringbridge web site (http://caringbridge.org/visit/lianasimmons) to get an overview, I asked Melissa to share so that we can make the best of this opportunity to help Liana and she related a mother's worst nightmare.

DAY 4 - AN UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT
On day four of Liana's initial stay in the hospital, Melissa, who was constantly by her daughter's bedside heard a loud scream, wailing and crying in the room next door. Her worst nightmare was being played out by an unfortunate family in an adjacent room. A mother, no different than herself, had just lost her child to cancer. Liana looked up at her mother and asked, "Why are they crying Momma?" What could she say?

I broke down crying with Melissa in their family room as a flood of my own memories of my wife's struggle with cancer mixed with the thoughts of that mother crying and Melissa holding back her own emotions to stay strong for her daughter.

Melissa has turned this story and all the other little stories into a new passion. She cares deeply about doing her part to help prevent cancer and limit the potential for secondary cancers. Through her Relay For Life team (Team LIFE - Live It Fully Everyday)and her support for the Reach For The Stars Clinic, Melissa has begun a new journey into defeating cancer for her child and the many thousands that will follow. Melissa has had to take unpaid leave during this time of treatment for Liana.

CAN WE COUNT ON YOU TO HELP LIANA?

Liana
Taresa
Hunter & Luke

Check Presentation Pictures - 2009

2010-01-25T10:41:00.001-08:00

Event Pictures - 2008

2010-01-25T10:32:00.000-08:00

Connecticut's Brotherhood - A Brief History

2009-12-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a brief review of the mission and history of the Brotherhood In Action.

Started in 1964 by the respective heads of three Connecticut Fraternal organizations: the Grandmaster of the Connecticut Masons, State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, and the state president of the B'NAI B'RITH
The group was formed from the idea that brotherhood without action has little meaning. Charity was the central focus of the brotherhood.
Brotherhoods formed in many Connecticut area towns.
In Manchester, the Knights of Columbus # 573, Campbell Council, B'NAI B'RITH Charter Oak Chapter, Manchester Masonic Lodge #73 and Friendship Masonic Lodge #145 joined forces to form a B-I-A in 1967. They held their first charitable event in September of 1967 and raised $7,000.
After a dormant period, the Charter Oak Chapter of B'NAI B'RITH approached all the original Fraternal organizations and revived the B-I-A in 1986 and even added two new groups the fold.
Today the Manchester area B-I-A is made up of Manchester Masonic Lodge #73, Tuscan Masonic Lodge #126, Friendship Masonic Lodge #145, Knights of Columbus #573 Campbell Council, Brotherhood of Beth Sholom B'nai Israel and Manchester Chapter of UNICO.
The revived B-I-A group having the good fortune of healthy families, decided the new focus of the group should be in the support of children with disabilities and/or life threatening illnesses.
Beneficiaries of the B-I-A's charity are as follows: the Mansfield Training School, Camp Kennedy, the Manchester Drug Advisory Council, the Manchester Teen Center at the NIKE site, Newington Cripple Childrens Home and Hospital, Manchester Memorial Hospital School of Radiology, the Manchester Scholarship Foundation, and many families in dire need of assistance with medical bills.

Since it's inception, the Brotherhood In Action of Manchester has donated over $80,000 to those in need. This year will be no different. We will try to affect the quality of life for a child and their family. Won't you come to our community breakfast and support the cause?