May 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
“Together We Build A Better Life”
In keeping with that motto Smithville Chapter #374 leaders of the Order of the Eastern Star showed their appreciation to local first responders and emergency personnel Wednesday by donating three cases of bottled water to six different departments.
Worthy Matron Pat Wilt, Worthy Patron Dr. Jerry Paul Vanatta, Organist Gay Vanatta, and Chaplain and Chairman of the Health Committee Dr. Robert R. Atnip personally brought the donations and thanked the agencies for their service to the community including the Smithville Police and Fire Departments, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb 911 Center, DeKalb EMS, and the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad.
The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women of all faiths may belong. Only men who are Masons are eligible and only women with specific Masonic affiliation may be members. Eastern Star is a social order comprised of persons with deep religious convictions and spiritual values reflecting the spirit of fraternal love and the desire to work together for good. It gives them the opportunity to give a part of their time to many projects that benefit mankind.
(PICTURED: #1 Smithville Chapter #374 leaders of the Order of the Eastern Star showed their appreciation to the Smithville Police Department Wednesday by donating three cases of bottled water. Pictured: Police Chief Mark Collins, Eastern Star Chaplain Dr. Robert R. Atnip, Police Sergeant Lance Dillard, Eastern Star Worthy Matron Pat Wilt, Police Captain Steven Leffew, Eastern Star Worthy Patron Dr. Jerry Paul Vanatta, Police Officer Brandon Donnell, and Eastern Star Organist Gay Vanatta)
(PICTURED: #2 Smithville Chapter #374 leaders of the Order of the Eastern Star showed their appreciation to the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department Wednesday by donating three cases of bottled water. Pictured: Eastern Star Organist Gay Vanatta, Worthy Patron Dr. Jerry Paul Vanatta, Eastern Star Worthy Matron Pat Wilt, and Eastern Star Chaplain Dr. Robert R. Atnip)
(PICTURED: #3 Smithville Chapter #374 leaders of the Order of the Eastern Star showed their appreciation to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday by donating three cases of bottled water. Pictured: Eastern Star Organist Gay Vanatta, Worthy Patron Dr. Jerry Paul Vanatta, Eastern Star Worthy Matron Pat Wilt, and Eastern Star Chaplain Dr. Robert R. Atnip with members of the Sheriff’s Department/Jail Staff)
(PICTURED: #4 Smithville Chapter #374 leaders of the Order of the Eastern Star showed their appreciation to the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District (Central Dispatch/911 Center) Wednesday by donating three cases of bottled water. Pictured: Eastern Star Organist Gay Vanatta, 911 Dispatcher Chrystal Reed, Eastern Star Worthy Matron Pat Wilt, Worthy Patron Dr. Jerry Paul Vanatta, 911 Dispatchers Sasha Avera and Shelly Mulford, and Eastern Star Chaplain Dr. Robert R. Atnip)
(PICTURED: #5 Smithville Chapter #374 leaders of the Order of the Eastern Star showed their appreciation to the DeKalb EMS/Ambulance Service Wednesday by donating three cases of bottled water. Pictured: Eastern Star Organist Gay Vanatta, Eastern Star Worthy Matron Pat Wilt, EMS-AEMT Misty Green, EMS- EMT-B Michelle Haggard (kneeling), Worthy Patron Dr. Jerry Paul Vanatta, EMS Director Hoyte Hale, EMS- EMT PCC Kenny Moffitt (kneeling), EMS-EMT-P Tim Briggs, and Eastern Star Chaplain Dr. Robert R. Atnip)
(PICTURED: #6 Smithville Chapter #374 leaders of the Order of the Eastern Star showed their appreciation to the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad Wednesday by donating three cases of bottled water. Pictured: Eastern Star Organist Gay Vanatta, Eastern Star Worthy Matron Pat Wilt, Worthy Patron Dr. Jerry Paul Vanatta, Harlan McCloud, Joe Johnson, Robert Sartin, Rescue Squad Captain Dustin Johnson, Luke Judkins, Larry Maddux, and Eastern Star Chaplain Dr. Robert R. Atnip)