Aztec Chapter 53 Veterans and First Responder Event”

On February 22, Aztec Chapter #53 honored our Veterans and 1st Responders with a special event! From in-person meals to carry-out for those unable to join, we made sure everyone was included. The event was filled with delicious food, great fellowship, and the joy of serving those who serve us. We’re hoping to make this an annual tradition!

Lovington Chapter #35 Donates to fundraising efforts for Texas Panhandle Grass Fire Disaster

In March the Lovington Methodist Church youth group held a fundraiser by having a hamburger-hotdog dinner to assist those affected by the disastrous grass fires in the Texas panhandle. Wanda Brown, Grand Ruth, is shown delivering a donation from Lovington Chapter #35 to the youth group..

OES Donates to “Santa Sheriff” Program

Lovington Chapter 35 donated $340 to the local Wreaths Across America. Pictured are Betty Hemann and her husband Leon, Bettye Brazell, Deana Fleetwood and Joe Brown who helped place wreaths on veterans' graves on December 16th.

The members of Lovington Chapter #35 donated $500 to the Lea County Sheriff's Office for their Santa Deputy program. The donations assist the Sheriff's Office in providing selected children a shopping spree and other fun activities with the deputies. Undersheriff Michael Walker is shown accepting our check from Lajuan Hayes, Past Matron.

Featured Stories: NM OES District 1 Backpack Drive

A statewide project of New Mexico Order of the Eastern Star Organization District 1, Ruth 6, Georgetown 4, and Silver City 3 - were represented December 12, 2023, when they presented 18 backpacks to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in Deming.

Joanna Vasquez, Deputy Manager, accepted the backpacks with many thanks for the child(ren) who sometimes have nothing when they have to leave their homes. She is the Children's Advocate for Luna, Hidalgo, and Grant Counties. CASA is the third organization in line to help the child(ren) with their foster environment. They get the paperwork and are in court with the child(ren) to help determine their future. There are two paid managers, with the rest of the advocates being volunteers.

Various members of OES helped. Lucia Smith's car was loaded with items. Pat Jones and Joyce Smith-James helped take them into the building. Jane Borman, a member of Ruth Chapter is also an advocate for the children and assisted. Jane will be attending Ruth Chapter’s Official Visit to talk about advocacy for child(ren).

The backpacks were loaded with stuffed animals, toothbrushes, combs, soap, books and other items the person might need. These are not only for small child(ren), but include older ones also.

District 1, Order of the Eastern Star, is committed throughout 2024 to this project, The Backpack Drive, helping children in traumatic circumstances.

If you would like to help you may contact: - Joanna Vasquez at CASA, 575-694-5719

- Lucia Smith

- Chloe Young, 602-550-5199

- Marilyn Page

The child(ren) leave home many times with only the clothes they are wearing. They need toiletries, something comforting to hold on to (stuffed animal, book). Let's all help.

Wreaths Across America

“Wreaths Across America” at Guaje Cemetery in Los Alamos, NM. The American Legion-organized event had many volunteers including our small group from Eastern Star, the high school hockey team and Jr. ROTC who trudged through foot-deep snow to place wreaths. Thanks to generous donors, every veteran had a wreath placed on his or her grave. Surplus wreaths went to the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Our fire dept. hung the giant American flag on the way into the cemetery.

Our History: The Order of the Eastern Star

is a Masonic appendant body open to both men and women. It was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason, but was only adopted and approved as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity in 1873. The Order is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all religious beliefs. It has approximately 10,000 chapters in 20 countries and approximately 300,000 members under its General Grand Chapter. The values of members of the Eastern Star are symbolized by the five points of the Star.

New Mexico has chapters in 24 different communities

Organized as chapters governed as state jurisdictions, members are able to meet with members from across the United States and twenty different countries worldwide. The opportunity to travel, meet new people, improve your comfort in public-speaking, and increase your organizational skills are numerous and varied.

Click Here to View NM OES Chapters Map

For our members

Member resources include Grand Chapter event information, chapter resources, marketing materials, and more

Click Here to go to Member Resources