James Scott of Webbers Falls said the Fraternal Order of Eagles does more for the community than most people know about.

Scott, 66, retired from the automotive business, said the group’s charitable work was one of the reasons he joined more than 15 years ago.

“One of the most impressive things they’ve done is helping needy families at Christmas time,” he said, noting the women in the auxiliary do a lot of fund-raising. “We’ve had a golf tournament, and we had a motorcycle run last year.”

Each local group of Eagles is known as an aerie. Scott is a member of Aerie No. 4042 on Chandler Road, where he also enjoys social activities.

“I stop in and see people I’ve known all my life, and I also meet new people,” he said. “I don’t like clubs; I outgrew that years ago.”

The group’s motto is “People helping people.”

Butch Hathcoat, president of Aerie No. 4042, said their main local charity is the Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy and Neuromuscular Center.

“During the last two years, we’ve given more than $10,000,” he said. “Our members don’t do it to get recognition for themselves, but I think they deserve recognition some of the time.”

Robert Christophersen, aerie secretary and southwest regional president, has been active for 20 years.

“I’m interested in helping people do things for charity,” he said. “We may never see them, but we know we helped someone somewhere.”

Christophersen said Aerie No. 4042 was established in 1983. One of six aeries in Oklahoma, it now has 240 members with 100 women in the auxiliary. Social events for the members include shuffleboard, dominoes, darts and live music.

Nationally, the FOE was founded in 1898 in Seattle, Wash. Membership exceeds 1 million, with more than 1,700 local aeries (male groups) in the U.S. and Canada. Women’s auxiliaries include more than 335,000 members.

Christophersen said the members of Aerie No. 4042 have also raised money for the national group’s charities: heart research; diabetes research and treatment; child abuse prevention; a fund to help support children of deceased firefighters, police and emergency medical service personnel; and a new international disaster relief program.

“Every single penny goes to the charities,” he said. “Nothing is held back for administrative costs.”



Fraternal Order of Eagles

• MEMBERSHIP: Local chapter, Aerie No. 4042, has 340 including the auxiliary.
• PROJECTS: Raised $10,000 for charity during the past two years.
• MEETS: Four official meetings monthly, additional official functions and social events throughout the month.
• TO JOIN: Members are recruited by other members and must be sponsored by two members before the membership process begins. Information, call 682-1279.
• NOTABLE EAGLES: Seven U.S. presidents: Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy, Harry S. Truman, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Warren G. Harding and Theodore R. Roosevelt.
• ESTABLISHED: Local chapter founded in 1983. National group started in 1898.
• WEB SITE: www.foe.com.

Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email