Grand Worthy President of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles David Tice speaks at the order's annual state convention held at Aerie 310 on Saturday evening.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Fraternal Order of Eagles and Auxiliary held its annual state convention on Saturday evening, in which the order donated more than $14,000 dollars to local organizations.

 

"I'm honored to have you here in our proud city and I congratulate you for the work you do for those you serve," Mayor Richard Alcombright said during the opening remarks to the room packed room with more  than 100 Aerie and Auxiliary members and their families. "In a community there's those who need and those who provide, there are those who sit back and those who dig in and do the work. And you folks provide by doing that work."

 

The Eagles donated money to various organizations, including a $1,000 check to North Adams Ambulance Service and a $5,000 check to Berkshire County Kids Place.

 

"I'm proud to be an Eagle member," said incoming state President Mark Barrett, a longtime North Adams member. "I can't give $10,000 out ... as part of the Eagles, I can help raise hundreds of thousands of dollars."

 

Robert Upton, the 2006-2007 state president and North Adams member of Aerie 310, stressed the same values of community and charity shared throughout the venue.

 

"We do a lot for people, we'll be giving out a lot of grants tonight," Upton said. "We do a lot for the community, that's what it's all about."

 

David Tice, the grand worthy president from Two Rivers, Wis., Aerie 2433, was impressed with the ceremony.

 

"I want to thank North Adams Aerie and Auxiliary for the wonderful job they've done," Tice said. "This is my fourth state convention this month, and this is one of the greatest ones that I've been at. Essentially, when you can have a conference like this... and have the aerie and auxiliary work together, and come together, at party like this ... Wasn't it great everybody?"

 

Tice said the order's goals for the incoming year include increasing membership and continuing its fundraiser efforts.

 

"We want  to break records throughout the United States and Canada, as far as membership, as far as our charities," Tice said.

 

A handful of awards and accolades were presented to various members for their work and dedication to the order, including the Eagle of the Year trophy and the Mary Callahan Award presented for "going above and beyond a sister's job."

 

For more information about the state's Fraternal Order of Eagles, visit www.mastateeagles.com.