On Saturday April 5, Masons from the 24th Masonic District gathered at the Millbury Senior Center to a large crowd of waiting children to get there identification kits completed. 

This Massachusetts Youth Child Identification Program called (myChip) was sponsored by The Olive Branch Masonic Lodge from Douglas. 

Committee Chairmen Brother Dean Moss of the Olive Branch Lodge asked me if I knew that more than a million children are reported missing in the United States every year. While most are found, many are not. I was surprised and shocked to hear this. This Masonic myChip Program is the most comprehensive service of its kind anywhere. It is free of charge to the public, and all the identifying items generated during this myChip community event are given to the child’s family. 

At these myChip events, the Freemasons set up the equipment and enlist the aid of other Masons from through the 24th Masonic District and volunteers, as necessary, to generate and complete these child identification kits. Each child progresses through several stations taking about 10-15 minutes to get all the required information for the entire process of that station. Some of the required information are voice recognition, fingerprints, video clip and photo identification, to name a few to be used as required in this identification process. MYCHIP provides Law Enforcement with important tools to assist in the speedy and safe recovery of a missing child. Through the benevolence of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and its membership, we are pleased to present this service free of charge. Massachusetts Freemasons are committed to offering this program to the families of Massachusetts on an ongoing basis. The information recorded is presented to the child’s parent or guardian on a USB drive wallet card to take home for safekeeping. 

All information is confidential, and the Masonic myChip retains nothing but the permission form when the kits are complete. All other data is permanently erased after the child’s USB drive wallet card is prepared. Privacy is our number one focus. If you would like more information or would like to request one of these Masonic mychip events in your area, go to mychip.org  to read more information and to schedule an event near you. 

- Bro. Jimmy Falzone

Quinebaug Masonic Lodge, Southbridge