My Moose Moments: Born to be a Moose

By Jenna Johnson

As a child “The Moose” was a big part of my life, and it wouldn’t be until I reached adulthood that I would realize the significant impact it had on me. My family frequented Lodge 1368 in St. Charles, Illinois and it really did hold true to its Family Center name. The Moose was a place where we came together to catch up and spend time as a family. My paternal grandparents were highly involved in Moose activities and they strongly encouraged their friends and family to become members as well. In fact, they were so passionate about encouraging membership that when my dad told them about his plans to marry my mom my grandparents’ only request was that she becomes a member of the Moose! After their wedding, (and my mom’s new moose membership), my parents became casual Moose members. Shortly thereafter, they discovered they were expecting their first baby, that would be me. My mother’s seemingly ordinary pregnancy ended with multiple surprises for both my parents.

I was born two months premature at just 2 lb 13 oz, and I was also born with a previously undetected congenital heart defect. This unexpected and scary news became even more overwhelming when they learned I would eventually need open heart surgery to correct the issues that came with my defect. I spent most of my first two years in and out of the hospital, closely monitored by doctors, until they finally decided it was time for my surgery. Unknowingly to my parents, their Moose community was ready to rally around them during this scary time. My mother recalls when her membership sponsor would meet she and my dad at the Lodge and give them six cans at a time of special preemie formula, so they wouldn’t have to worry about running out. Their Lodge family never let my parents feel like they were alone. Their fellow Moose members organized a benefit dinner at the Lodge that included a pig roast, raffles, and an auction. All proceeds went to my family to help pay for hospital bills and related costs. Considering it was an event my parents had no hand in planning, they were simply overwhelmed by the turn out. My parents believed it was only going to be a quiet dinner and that they were simply raffling off a TV, but it took hours to raffle off all the items donated. Family, friends, coworkers and strangers came together for my parents and me that day. At the end of the night, the benefit raised over seven thousand dollars! The Moose gave my parents both financial and community support during what they say was one of the scariest times in their lives.

While my health journey has since been controlled, my family has not forgotten the help they received from the Moose. Now as a healthy young adult, I am proud to say that I’m a member of the Moose and I’m also supporting the Moose mission through my employment at Moose Charities.