The purpose of ChIP is to provide parents with a packet of identification material which would help in the recovery and/or identification of a missing child. The information contained in the kit meets the requirements for posting an Amber Alert. Each kit contains a DNA sample, dental imprint, digital fingerprint, height and weight, voice recording, and a photo ID. More than 15,000 kits have been provided to parents across the state.

During the YFS Kids Fair, the Masons provided 514 identification kits to families, free of charge. Although the material for each kit costs approximately $5.00, all cost are covered by donations from the State Masonic Foundation, local Masonic Lodges, and occasionally local service organizations.

The local Masonic Lodge is the coordinating organization for each event, and relies on volunteers from within the local Lodge as well as support from local organizations. Over 75 volunteers were needed to make the YFS Kids Fair a successful event. It is therefore with much gratitude and appreciation that the Masons of Lodge #220 wish to recognize and thank the volunteers from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Women’s Basketball team, Western Dakota Tech School of Nursing, the local Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets of Douglas High School, and Masons from Mount Rushmore Lodge #220, Rapid City Lodge #25, and Hill City Lodge #112, with special thanks to the event-coordinating dynamic duo, Jack Welker and Herb Cook.

Since this was the first year that the Masons and YFS have teamed up on presenting this program, the Masons are very excited to continue the partnership established with YFS and look forward to being part of future YFS Kids Fair events so the SDCHIP program will continue to be a community based asset for future families.