Travelers Protective Association Holds 128th National Convention in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

  ST. LOUIS - 07/20/2018 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Travelers Protective Association (TPA), a fraternal benefit society, recently held its 128th national convention at Black Bear Inn & Suites in Gatlinburg, Tenn. More than 120 delegates representing 16 divisions located throughout the country attended the four-day conference.

An auction and reception raised more than $18,000 for the Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired. More than $2,600 was also raised for the Homer T. Wilson Fund, which provides emergency financial aid and is designated for indigent members, widows, widowers and orphans.

The Association’s national election was held, and Wayne Wentworth from Michigan was elected as president and L. Bailey Bledsoe from North Carolina was elected as vice president.

TPA issued 54 grants totaling $24,500 from the second quarter of 2018. Funds were generated from donations by TPA members and investment income generated by the Trust. The grants, which are awarded nationwide to recipients, ranged from $150 to $700 per person based on need. Recipients were located in 28 states and ranged in age from 2 months to 88 years old. This quarter 11 grants were presented to Missouri residents, including recipients from St. Louis, St. Charles, Columbia and O’Fallon.

“This year’s convention was a wonderful celebration of our organization’s accomplishments over the last twelve months,” said the TPA’s Chief Administrative Officer Albert M. Shoemaker, Jr. “We were overwhelmed with the amount of support and generosity we received as we strive to impact our communities for the next generation.”

Established in 1975, the organization’s Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired provides financial aid to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Grants are used for mechanical devices, medical and specialized treatment, and education that includes speech classes and interpreters.

To date the trust has distributed more than $2 million to more than 5,600 recipients.

About TPA

Travelers Protective Association, a fraternal benefit society, was established in 1882 by a small group of traveling salesmen who banded together to network, volunteer and create lifelong friendships. TPA helps communities through addressing travel safety issues, child safety programs and various community services projects.

Name: Al Shoemaker

Phone: (636) 724-2227

Fax: (636) 724-2457

Email: ashoemaker@tpahq.org