Don & Susan Ridenhour, Virginia Moose Association

I joined the Moose In 2001 when my friend suggested we try to play there with a band we had. The Governor at the time told me it was required I become a member, so I did. I had no idea what it was all about to be a Moose. Shortly thereafter, Susan helped form the Chapter as a charter member. We both became very involved in Lodge and Chapter operations culminating with me as Governor from 2006-08 and Susan as Chapter Recorder and Lodge administrative assistant during the same period.

I guess my first real “Aha moment” came in 2008 at the International Convention in Las Vegas when I heard Mooseheart valedictorian Jake Stegman speak on the impact our child city had on him. During the “Gimme Five” fundraiser campaign, I went directly out of the meeting and paid my full commitment of $182.50.

We had had many other moments since then, including the following year when Susan received her cap & gown and joined the College of Regents on the Mooseheart campus in 2009 at the International Convention in Chicago. Our trip to the Mooseheart campus instilled in us the power of what we do as Moose members.

Other moments include having the Virginia House girls at our Lodge Salem 2573, the many conventions we have attended, the people we have met, and the smiles we see on the faces of the children and seniors we support. Those smiles alone are why we will never stop working for the most outstanding fraternity on the planet and why we are proud members of the Moose! We enjoy helping to “MAKE IT HAPPEN!”