I was assisting this weekend both in Acton and in Erin in a program that to me is a great endeavour, the MasoniCHiP program which during the Leathertown Festival is being held at Peek a Boo Daycare 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. Sometimes it is sponsored like yesterday. Other times people make a voluntary doantion.Yesterday in Erin this one little girl, who obviously was not cameraa shy, came back to ask if I could take a pictur eof her face painting. A unicorn across her face! How could someone say no!
The total for Wellington District is close to a 1,000 kits over the last couple of years. The total in Ontario is over 33,000. Just think over 32,000 children have kits that can be used if they are needed. The next clinic in this area is in Erin on Thanksgiving weekend. I am not sure yet but will keep you posted if there is more 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”