Statistics show that over 1 million children are reported missing in the United States each year. "A child's disappearance must be a parent's worst nightmare," opined Dick Anderson, Master of the Burlington Masonic Lodge No. 111.

His lodge and Camden's Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge No. 211 are teaming up again this year to offer CHIP, the Indiana Freemasons' Child Identification Program, at the Carroll County 4-H Fair. Every evening from 5 to 9 p.m. through Friday, Masonic volunteers will make up "kits" for parents who bring their children to Booth 31-32 at the south side of the Community Building, according to Fred Hartman, Master of the Camden Masonic Lodge.

These kits will provide parents with a video CD, showing a brief informal interview with the child to show his or her mannerisms and speech patterns; the child's fingerprints; and materials that will allow the parents to gather and store the youngster's DNA.

The packets will be released only to the parent or the legal guardian for safekeeping.

"None will be retained by the Freemasons, nor will any be given to any law enforcement agency. The strictest privacy is ensured," noted Chad McAlexander, one of the team members.

Four hundred children visited the Masons' booth last year, attesting to the popularity of this free community service of the Carroll County Masonic lodges.

"It's regrettable that our society has such a need but we want to do our part to help bring a missing child back to its parents, should that unthinkable need arise," observed Jason Endress, co-captain of the Carroll County Masons' CHIP program.