Moose Lodge #594, the River Falls location, hosted Chairman of the Moose International Board, John Reiter, Dec. 9 for an extra special meeting. With members of the State Board as well as River Falls members present, they welcomed Reiter with open arms.

Since being elected into the position in May, Reiter began to visit lodges all over the United States and Canada. Reiter has gotten to over 140 lodges in 49 states (there are no lodges in Hawaii) and Canada.

There are about 1 million Moose Lodge members, and they focus on both making a positive impact on people’s lives as well as building a friendly internal community, giving members a place to hang out and meet new people.

“In our local Lodges, you will find a wide array of activities to participate in both as an individual and as a family. From holiday parties, dances, sports, themed dinners and live entertainment, the Moose has much to offer. Membership can mean different things to different people. You are the one determining what you want to get out of the organization, and what you want to give back,” the Moose International website states.

With Moose Lodge supporting Mooseheart, a child city and school in Illinois, and Moosehaven, a retirement community in Florida, Reiter announced a new project.

“We are going to start taking in mentally and physically challenged adults and children,” Reiter said. “There’s so many people out there today that are taking care of these people, and when they die, they have no where they’re going to go… Who better to serve them, take care of them, than us?”

In search of $12 million in fundraising over three years, Moose International has already raised $4 million since the June 1 announcement. Moose International has grown in membership in recent years, which Reiter said is rare for fraternal organizations in the present day.

“We’ve got to be doing something right, and I believe it’s our community service,” Reiter said. “If you’re not part of the community, the community’s not going to be a part of you.”

Reiter and the River Falls Moose Lodge crew also welcomed its newest member at the meeting, as River Falls Fire Chief Justin Wilson joined the fraternity.

Reiter was given a gift package from the Lodge including some of the area’s signature items. Mei Mei’s Cookies made a special Moose Lodge cookie and other local merchandise.