MOOSEHEART, IL, July 28 - Not too many high school science laboratories have a lab counter with a top-of-the-line granite countertop and sink. But then, not too many high schools have craftsmen and tradesmen from all over the continent as members of a fraternal organization that looks out for the school's needs on an ongoing basis.   

That's the happy situation at Mooseheart High School, and the beneficiary this week is the school's second-floor science laboratory, where teacher Curt Schlinkmann had made do for nearly 34 years, ever since his 1975 arrival at Mooseheart with a dilapidated, black-painted wooden countertop at the front of the room. Supt. of Education Gary Urwiler said he didn't know whether the countertop was original with the 1954 school building, "but it was pretty badly beat up," Urwiler said.

Within the last several months, three Lodges in the Northeast Moose Association of northern New England -- two from the Granite State of New Hampshire -- came together to fund the purchase of a solid granite 20-sq.-ft. countertop and sink -- more than $1,800 for the materials. Funding the materials were Dover, NH Lodge 443; Newport, NH Lodge 1236; and Bellows Falls, VT Lodge 527.

The piece was delivered late last week, and over the weekend, two skilled carpenters from Dover, NH Lodge 443, Dolph Toigo and Tom Bishop, drove to the Child City to donate their time and talents to install the unit -- including caulking, buffing and finishing -- on Monday morning, July 27.  Their estimate of a fair retail price for the job, including installation, was $4,000.

"Mr. Schlinkmann hasn't seen this yet; he's going to be floored when he does," said Urwiler with an ear-to-ear smile.

Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1.1 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization, in more than 1,800 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters located throughout the U.S. , Canada , Great Britain and Bermuda . Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.
   
Since its founding, Mooseheart has operated a complete, accredited kindergarten-through-high-school academic program, plus art, music, vocational training and interscholastic sports. It is an extremely nurturing and student-tailored program, with an average student-teacher ratio of 12-1.
   
Mooseheart students who complete their studies with a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0=A) are eligible for up to five years of annually renewable scholarship funding, covering tuition, room and board in an amount comparable to that required for an in-state student at an Illinois public university.
   
Mooseheart is currently home to nearly 230 students, ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Mooseheart boasts its own U.S. Post Office and a fully functioning branch of Fifth Third Bank.
 
In addition to Mooseheart, Moose International also supports Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville , FL founded in 1922; and conducts more than $90 million worth of community service programs annually.
    
Founded in 1888, the Moose organization has long offered its members an opportunity to do good for others while celebrating life, with family, social, and sporting activities. For more information on the Moose organization, visit the websites at www.mooseintl.org, www.mooseheart.org ., www.moosehaven.org , or call 630-966-2229.