leathertown Fest/MasoniCHiP

The 19th Leathertown Festival was held yesterday turning downtown Acton into the “Big easy”. The theme this year was “New Orleans”. Mill Street was renamed “Bourbon Street” Beads and masks were seen everywhere to go with the face painting, street magicians and music.
Hats off to the group of volunteers who put it all together. The Acton BIA has worked hard on the festival and it is great fun! A little rain did not dampen our spirits! Here is a great shot of Mayor Rick and Councillor Jon Hurst at the opening ceremonies.
I was assisting in a program that to me is a great endeavour, the MasoniCHiP program which was held at the Salvation Army Thrift Store sponsored by Dr Chan.
The MasoniCHiP program has been in Ontario for a few years after having been in the US. It is a Child ID kit that includes, photos, movie clip, a bite plate, DNA general description and biometric fingerprints. All on a CD that if needed can be uploaded in minutes. The only record kept is the permission slip. All of the information is returned to the parent or the guardian.
It is unfortunate that nowadays we need to protect our children this way. The innocent days of my youth when kids could play outside and wander around from breakfast to dinner seem long gone.
The Grand Lodge of Ontario has endorsed and asked the various districts to host clinics where we can have the kits done for the parents. There is a lot of preparation goes into each event. Form the location, advertising, set up with power and of course ensuring the confidentiality of each child who comes in. Every person working the clinic has received a Police Clearance and everyone carries the letters with them in case they are asked for by any parent or guardian.
The children are weighed; there height taken and then they head in to see a Dentist who has donated his or her time to help out. A bite plate is done and is placed with the kit. For the young ones a DNA cheek swab is done.
Next the volunteers input all the information including any special instructions and identifying marks. The kids always love the fingerprints especially as it does not involve ink! Then the photos and a video is made asking a set of questions the Police can use if need be.
The parents review the information and it is then uploaded onto a CD. Dated with the child’s name and then, the computer wipe out all the information. The parents are reminded to keep the CD in a safe place at home. If it is ever needed every minute counts. The only cost ever asked for is a voluntary donation or in the case yesterday it was sponsored.
Yesterday we did kits for 87 kids, the total for Wellington District is 788 over the last couple of years. The total in Ontario is 32,662. Just think over 32,000 children have kits that can be used if they are needed. The next clinic in this area is in Milton in late September, we have done one each year at the Erin Fall fair. I am not sure yet but will keep you posted. The photo is of gavin WHite on the scales as Dad does the paperwork.
As the slogan says “Masons helping you protect the ones you love”