The LIGHT Foundation

08/07/2026

Save the Date for the KidTalk Celebration Gala! October 7, 2026 at the Missouri Athletic Club. We hope to see you there!

07/24/2026

🌎 Leadership, Fellowship and Service on an International Stage!

DeMolays, advisors and supporters from across the United States and around the world recently gathered in Chicago for the 2026 DeMolay International Supreme Council Session—four action-packed days celebrating everything that makes DeMolay the world’s premier youth leadership organization.

Throughout the Session, young men representing many different countries came together through comradeship that crossed borders, learning that strengthened character and philanthropy that made a meaningful impact. Attendees exchanged ideas, learned about one another’s jurisdictions and built friendships grounded in the shared values of DeMolay.

Missouri was proudly represented by State Master Councilor Aidan Dodson, Deputy State Master Councilor Ayden Kitsmiller and Jurisdictional Officer Ashton Kitsmiller. Aidan and Ayden served as Congress Delegates, witnessed the election and installation of the new International Congress Officers and joined DeMolays from around the world for an unforgettable week of leadership and fellowship.

A special highlight was the 2026 Civic Service Project with Feed My Starving Children. International Congress members learned about the organization’s mission and worked side by side assembling food kits for distribution to people in developing countries—putting the DeMolay principles of service and compassion into action.

The LIGHT Foundation congratulates the newly elected international leaders and applauds every young man, advisor and volunteer who helped make this historic gathering possible. Experiences like these remind us that DeMolay does far more than prepare young men to lead—it connects them through a worldwide brotherhood committed to character, service and a better future.

07/24/2026

Over Memorial Day weekend, members, advisors, families and supporters from across the state gathered for the 2026 Missouri DeMolay State Convention—an outstanding weekend filled with sports, games, service, fellowship and the celebration of youth leadership!

A highlight of the weekend was the Installation of Jurisdictional Officers on May 24, officially beginning Missouri DeMolay’s 2026–2027 term. Congratulations to State Master Councilor Aidan Dodson, Deputy State Master Councilor Ayden Kitsmiller, and Jurisdictional Officers Ashton Kitsmiller, Zachary Sykes and Hayden Absheer.

These young men have already begun working toward an ambitious year focused on stronger communication, greater cooperation among local Chapters, membership growth, increased opportunities for involvement and an even stronger presence throughout Missouri.

This year’s theme, “Beyond,” challenges every DeMolay to go beyond expectations in service, character and leadership—to move beyond his comfort zone, embrace new opportunities and continue becoming a better young man each day.

The Convention also marked an important transition in adult leadership. Missouri DeMolay expressed its gratitude to Jeff Kitsmiller for seven years of dedicated service as Executive Officer while warmly welcoming Justin Dryer into the role.

The LIGHT Foundation is proud to support Missouri DeMolay and the extraordinary young men who are learning to lead, serve and make a lasting difference in their communities. We congratulate the newly installed officers and look forward to seeing where they take Missouri DeMolay in the year ahead!

07/24/2026

LIGHT Box Productions hit the road for a very special production at the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.!

While members of The LIGHT Foundation team and friends were hard at work installing the new Philanthropy Room exhibit, our production crew was simultaneously preparing for an exclusive interview with Ill. Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, Grand Cross, Grand Historian and Grand Archivist of the Scottish Rite Supreme Council, 33°, Southern Jurisdiction.

The conversation was led by our very own St. Louis Scottish Rite Brother Jacob Thompson, discussion panel moderator for the Scottish Rite Academy online education series, and filmed inside the magnificent Temple Room at the House of the Temple.

This remarkable interview became a featured part of the Scottish Rite Academy Season Finale, bringing together Masonic history, education, storytelling and cinematic production in one unforgettable setting.

From exhibit installation and on-site coordination to lighting, cameras, audio and a feature-length educational interview, this was truly a multitasking project—and a perfect example of what can be accomplished through teamwork, preparation and a shared commitment to preserving and presenting the story of the Scottish Rite.

07/24/2026

What a truly MOMentous afternoon!

The LIGHT Foundation was honored to serve as a sponsor and hands-on partner for the 2026 Haven of Grace MOMentous Luncheon—supporting the event from the planning stages through the final moments of the day.

From helping coordinate and promote the luncheon, to volunteering on-site, assisting with registration, and providing A/V and technical support throughout the event, our team was proud to contribute wherever we could to help bring this meaningful celebration to life.

The Haven of Grace provides pregnant women who are unhoused with a safe, nurturing home, educational opportunities, and long-term support—helping mothers and their children build lives rooted in hope, dignity, stability, and independence.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, supported, and helped make this year’s luncheon such a tremendous success.

View the full gallery from the 2026 MOMentous Luncheon here:

https://www.havenofgracestl.org/momentous-luncheon-2026

07/24/2026

The LIGHT Foundation is deeply honored to have helped create the multimedia experience now featured within the Philanthropies Room at the Scottish Rite House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.

Through cinematic storytelling, historical imagery, original graphics, animation, narration, music, and carefully crafted visual design, the exhibit explores the extraordinary charitable legacy of the Scottish Rite and the countless ways its members bring compassion into action.

The presentation shines a light on the life-changing work of RiteCare, educational scholarships, disaster relief, specialized children’s hospitals, youth programs, medical initiatives, and humanitarian efforts serving individuals, families, and communities around the world.

More than a history of giving, the Philanthropies Room is a reflection of a sacred obligation—one that calls us to become builders, healers, defenders, and bearers of light through service to others.

We invite you to take a look behind the scenes at the journey that brought this exhibit to life—from pre-production planning and testing inside the LIGHT Foundation offices, to the production process, on-site construction, final installation, and a sample of the completed presentation now being shared with visitors and tourists throughout the year.

https://vimeo.com/1106993942/db1b641602?fl=tl&fe=ec

We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute our creative and technical expertise to this lasting expression of the Scottish Rite’s enduring mission: to illuminate, to educate, and to inspire through both word and deed.

Because charity is not merely something we do.

It is who we are.

07/24/2026

Stronger programs. Better collaboration. Brighter futures for children and families.

The LIGHT Foundation is proud to help spread the word about the 2026 National RiteCare Conference, taking place September 23–25 at The Westin San Diego Bayview in San Diego, California.

Hosted by the California Scottish Rite Foundation this year, this national gathering will bring together speech-language pathologists, literacy specialists, RiteCare leaders, students, university partners, and other dedicated professionals from across the country for three days of learning, collaboration, and connection.

Through continuing education, leadership programming, strategic dialogue, and the exchange of ideas between programs nationwide, the conference will help strengthen the clinical excellence, sustainability, and continued growth of the RiteCare network.

The work of RiteCare changes lives by helping children overcome communication and literacy challenges—and gatherings like this ensure that those serving them have the knowledge, relationships, and resources needed to carry that mission forward.

Registration is now open. Learn more, register, and reserve your accommodations here:
https://www.casrf.org/national-ritecare-conference-2026

We look forward to an extraordinary national gathering united by a shared purpose: helping every child find their voice and reach their fullest potential.

Join the National RiteCare Conference 2026 in San Diego, September 23–25, for continuing education, collaboration, and leadership programming.

07/24/2026

Today’s Youth deserve more than our encouragement—they deserve our presence, our mentorship, and a meaningful place within the Mission of our organizations.

The LIGHT Foundation is proud to have developed the new Scottish Rite Masonic Youth Engagement Guide in partnership with the newly established Masonic Youth Committee of the Supreme Council, 33°, Southern Jurisdiction.

Created with young people at its heart, this comprehensive guide offers practical ways for Scottish Rite Valleys and Orients, as well as Lodges and any other Masonic group to better support DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow, their families, advisors, and alumni.

Its purpose is simple but vital: to help young people feel seen, welcomed, supported, and prepared to lead.

The guide explores how we can build stronger personal relationships with youth, create opportunities for meaningful participation and service, provide trusted mentors, involve families, recognize youth achievement, and establish clear pathways for young leaders to remain connected to these organizations throughout their lives.

This spring, the new 84-page guidebook was officially introduced at each of the three National Scottish Rite Conferences, where every attendee received a copy. It was also shared with the Executive Officers of DeMolay Jurisdictions throughout the United States and around the world during the recent DeMolay International Supreme Council Session.

These young men and women are not simply the leaders of tomorrow. They are serving, learning, growing, and making a difference today.

When we invest our time, guidance, encouragement, and trust in Youth, we help them build confidence, character, friendships, and a lifelong commitment to service.
Most importantly, we remind them that they belong.

Civilization does not endure by chance. It endures because each generation is prepared to lift the next.

Learn more about the Youth Engagement Guide at www.light.foundation/youthguide

10/04/2025

Previous item Clinic News Next item Special Events Join us for the Clinic’s largest fundraiser – the annual KidTalk Gala: When: Thursday, October 16, 2024 Where: Missouri Athletic Club (West), 1777 Des Peres Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131 Spooky and whimsical attire encouraged! For registration and spo...

11/04/2024

Puttin' for the Kids was a Hole-in-One! ⛳️🏌️

We are thrilled to announce the success of the 7th Annual Puttin' for the Kids Golf Tournament! Thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors, donors, golfers, volunteers, and special guests, we raised nearly $35,000 for the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the 2024 outing a tremendous success! Together, we’ve made an incredible impact for the kids and families served by the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic. We couldn’t have done it without you!🙌