Creating a Partnership, Creating a Difference: St. Francisville Lodge and Kahoka Eastern Star Use Matching Funds to Build a Better Community
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The Masonic Home of Missouri’s Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program has transformed communities across the state, including northeast Missouri. That impact is clearly visible through the dedicated work of St. Francisville Masonic Lodge #588 and Kahoka Chapter #40, Order of the Eastern Star.
Launched in 2003, CAP empowers Missouri Masonic lodges and chapters to support youth and families in their own communities through a powerful donation-matching model. For every $1 raised, the Masonic Home contributes $2, tripling the community’s impact. The maximum match is $15,000 per lodge or chapter, which means a total of $45,000 can be donated.
“Our first CAP Program we participated in was three years ago,” said Shannon O’Day, Worshipful Master of St. Francisville Lodge #588. “The ability to raise, with the current matching, $45,000 for our communities is a very powerful tool to wield. Though we don’t always meet that max donation, it is achievable for every Masonic Lodge and OES Chapter in the state to participate in.”
Since partnering with the CAP Program, the St. Francisville Lodge has been one of the most active in the region. Their recent projects demonstrate a deep commitment to local schools, youth support, and veterans. Projects supported by St. Francisville Lodge through CAP include:
$45,000 donated to the Running Fox Elementary School for a reading-walking path and outdoor classroom, providing a safe outdoor learning and wellness space for students.
May 28, 2025: The lodge donated $3,000 to Wayland Head Start to go towards hand-washing stations and playground equipment.
June 25, 2025: $1,500 was donated to Clark County R-1 Middle School and High School for the purchase of two small freezers and food to stock the internal student food pantry, allowing kids to take something home to eat.
2024: The lodge donated $1,500 for veteran food packages for northeast Missouri.
“Our Lodge feels strongly that working together for a common good can elevate some of the financial strain for items that may not fit the budget or project constraints,” said O’Day.
“The walking trail and pavilion will help spark creativity in the kids, relieve some classroom space restrictions, all while viewing the natural beauty of flora and fauna our great state possesses.”
The lodge often holds free-will donation fundraiser meals that help raise money for the causes, but also bring the community together. Some of the projects are even funded out-of-pocket by lodge members themselves.
“The community support has been phenomenal,” said O’Day. “Being in close-knit communities allows for us to see how children and neighbors are impacted with our efforts on a daily basis.”
Kahoka Chapter #40, Order of the Eastern Star, continues to serve as a valuable partner in these efforts by also participating in the CAP Program.
“Creating-A-Partnership allows our small chapter to make a big impact in our community,” said Worthy Matron of Kahoka Chapter #40, Amanda McCreedy. “We can show our love and support to those in our community that need it.”
Projects supported by Kahoka Chapter #40 through CAP include:
May 2022: Kahoka OES donated $12,683.25 to purchase new stage curtains and rails at the Clark County Middle School.
May 3, 2023: The chapter presented a check for $44,313.90 for new playground equipment at Black Hawk Elementary.
June 5, 2024: The chapter raised $13,675 locally, which became a $41,025 total donation to the Indian Pride Learning Center for their “Shade Our Playground” project, which provided new shade structures and tricycles for the IPLC.
January 15, 2025: Kahoka Chapter #40 supported the Clark County Fine Arts program with a $45,000 donation to provide the Clark County High School with choir performance attire, new music chairs and stands for the Clark County Middle School, and several new instruments for students.
Amanda McCreedy, a teacher at Black Hawk Elementary, knew there was a need for new playground equipment after seeing worn and broken pieces on the playground.
“I was not Worthy Matron at the time, but I brought the idea to the chapter that we could help the Black Hawk PTO get new equipment,” McCreedy said. “What I remember most about that was how quickly our members and other community members jumped into action to get fundraisers going. As a teacher, it warmed my heart to see my chapter and community working together to help the students I see every day in such a wonderful and successful way.”
The IPLC playground shade was another project that stood out to the chapter.
“We had heard that the Indian Pride Learning Center was trying to raise money to get shade for their playground and the fundraising was going sort of slowly. We thought it would be a good idea to jump in and help, so they could get what they needed a little quicker,” Amanda said.
Supporting the high school choir and Fine Arts program was a way to serve a broader age range of students. Local fundraisers such as soup suppers played a central role in raising money for the projects, and the impact has been visible throughout the community.
“Students throughout the district are benefitting. For the younger students, they are getting a safer way to play while at school, whether it’s from being out of the hot sun or having new playground equipment to play on. The older students are getting new things they need to be successful,” said McCreedy.
For Amanda, the most rewarding part of participating in these projects is witnessing how it impacts others.
“The moment I will remember the most from all of our efforts is seeing the faces of the high school choir students come out in their new attire with a look of confidence and pride. It still brings tears to my eyes. That moment is when I knew we were definitely making a difference in our community for generations to come,” said McCreedy.
For Shannon, he enjoys seeing all the benefits the community receives.
“We put in many hours behind the scenes to make these events successful. The gratitude from the recipients and seeing our community benefit from our labors is worth every minute of work,” O’Day said.
McCreedy encourages other Eastern Star chapters to pursue Create-A-Partnership opportunities.
“Your community will benefit from this and it is a way for your chapter to step out into your community and show your Eastern Star light! It is always important to let people know how great Eastern Star is and that we are not just here for each other, but for those around us in our communities,” she said.
With this year’s CAP submission cycle completed, St. Francisville Lodge #588 and Kahoka Chapter #40, OES are looking forward to finding new projects to help support.
On behalf of St. Francisville Lodge No. 588 and Kahoka Chapter #40, OES, Shannon O’Day and Amanda McCreedy extend their heartfelt thanks to the community for their donations and for supporting these local community projects.
With the help of the Masonic Home’s CAP Program, the local lodge and OES chapter have contributed over $194,000 to local community needs. Both of these organizations are proudly giving back to the community and plan to continue partnering with CAP in the future.
To learn more or get involved, the lodge encourages the community to follow St. Francisville #588 on Facebook. You can contact any lodge member if you would like to help or donate to a project. If you are a man of good moral character and are interested in joining, visit www.MOMason.org.
To learn more about the Eastern Star, you can contact any Kahoka Chapter #40 Eastern Star member or visit www.oesmo.org. If you want to donate supplies, money, or your time to help with fundraising, contact any member.
