Greetings to all Sir Knights wherever dispersed; This coming year I have the privilege of serving as chairman of Grand Encampment’s 44th Annual Voluntary Campaign for the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. During these next few months, I will attempt to keep you updated on the progress and breakthroughs in eye care. It has been almost a year since the Eye Foundation decided to do away with individual eye care and direct the funds derived from the Eye Foundation to research. Grants are awarded every year to American universities for research in fascinating fields such as the field of amblyopia in which research is being conducted by Brenda Bohnsack, M.D., Ph.D. at the University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center. There, breakthroughs are being made that help thousands and thousands of people including those not yet born. Sir Knights, there is no greater gift to mankind than the gift of sight. Through your contributions, many people still live productive lives and enjoy what most of us take for granted. If you are thinking of giving a gift to the Eye Foundation, there is a good deal of information on website (www.knightstemplar.org). The life sponsor program in particular is a way to contribute, and $30 purchases membership in this program. Otherwise your Commandery will bill you one dollar a year for the Foundation. Other levels of membership are the Associate Patron for $50 and the Patron for $100. The Grand Commanders Club, and the Grand Masters Club are also available to those who want to contribute even more. With the recent events that are happening with our government and the cutbacks that are inevitable, more people are going to benefit through the kind and charitable acts of the Knights Templar. We all need to give a sincere “Thank You!” to Sir Knight Jeffrey N. Nelson, GCT for the great work he did on the 43rd annual voluntary campaign. Sir Knight Nelson was the first chairman to have any campaign that provided more than $2 million. It is my sincere hope that the Sir Knights will continue to be charitable and give the gift of sight to people throughout the world. Sincerely and Fraternally, Michael B. Johnson, KCT Chairman, 44th Annual Campaign