It might not be a chip off the old block, but this weekend’s MasoniCh.I.P. event at the Harriston Minto arena, might be a parent’s best friend.
The event runs from 10am to 6pm on April 10 and is sponsored by Harriston Masonic Lodge No. 262
Recently, Minto councillors here approved a grant request to the local lodge for the facility rental costs. The request is not to exceed $225.
Minto Mayor David Anderson said the program is a Masons of Ontario initiative.
“They are incurring whatever cost to make this program work. What it does is create photo identification for kids. If they ever do go missing, it provides a better chance to find them,” Anderson said.
“It’s a very successful program throughout Ontario.”
Councillor Barb Burrows added she believes the program went beyond the photo identification, including fingerprints and videoclips.
She suggested the work is in line with the program by the Palmerston Masonic Lodge last year at the Palmerston Fair.
“They put through a lot of children at that event.”
Deputy-mayor Judy Dirksen said, “It is one of those types of programs you hope you never need.”
Councillor Tammy Reiner asked if this was the first time such an event was held in Minto.
Councillor Rick Hembly said similar programs have been done before, but not by this particular group.
The child identification program is sponsored by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario, working with regional and national law enforcement agencies.
The program uses modern, police-approved techniques to create a child identification kit.
The kit collects photos, video, voice recordings, digital fingerprints, dental impressions, saliva swabs as well as traditional statistical information (height, weight, hair and eye colour, etc.).
That information is matched with Ontario’s law enforcement providers to allow critical identifying information to be broadcast and shared more quickly than ever before to assist with the safe recovery of missing children.
When a child has a kit prepared, their parent or guardian will receive a printed colour data sheet with several identification card inserts, a CD-ROM storing all the digital information, and a sealed bag with the dental plate and cheek swab.
All this material and information is given to the parent or guardian. No information is ever stored by the program.
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Although supportive of the event, Dirsken took a bit of exception to the comment on the application that the event was totally funded by the lodge, because council was just about to donate $225.
She wondered if, for this event or future events, signs could be made to note that Minto has donated the cost of the facility for an event.
“Sometimes I think everyone else gets a lot more credit than the town does for their assistance in some of these events.
