Help for Our Heroes

Since 2008, Pennsylvania Masons have contributed over $1.7 million to support military members, veterans and their families through the “Help for Our Heroes” program. The program hosts baby showers for military moms-to-be and has provided support in other ways, such as household repairs and financial assistance for those facing costly medical bills and job loss.

Program Director U.S. Army Sgt. and Brother Thomas C. Long, Sr., recently led an effort to secure a reliable vehicle to assist a combat veteran returning from overseas. Sgt. Christopher Lizotte, of Williamsport, PA, and his wife, Cheyenne, were presented with the lightly used vehicle, a Chrysler Town & Country minivan, last November at Muncy Lodge No. 299.

Chris, a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, has served for almost nine years and is assigned to a unit in Hermitage, PA. In July 2025, he returned from over a year of deployment overseas in an active-duty combat zone in Africa. His vehicle at the time, a 2016 Ford Explorer, broke down, and when he sent it in for repairs, the car seats were stolen out of it. The car could not be salvaged and was sold for parts.

“Before I left for deployment, I took my car to get fixed, but every time they said it was fixed, I would drive it again and something would go wrong,” Chris said. “It needed a lot of work. I received an auto loan from the bank and was under the impression I was covered during my deployment and would pick up the payments when I got home. But the loan was sent to collections.”

While Chris was deployed, Cheyenne learned from a family support case worker that the Help for Our Heroes program assisted service members in need. Chris and Cheyenne have four children and needed a large vehicle with room for a wagon, groceries, diaper bags, etc.

Help for Our Heroes answered the call, partnering with veterans’ organizations and area lodges to secure the minivan and pay for inspection and maintenance, along with detailing work, through generous donations. The American Legion Post 834, Veterans Brotherhood, Helping Our Warriors – Lycoming County and Cribs for Kids® National Infant Safe Sleep Initiative supplied four new convertible car seats, so the family would not have to worry about replacing them as their children grow.

Richard Vaux Brotherhood Lodge No. 126 (Tom’s lodge), Jerusalem Lodge No. 506, Muncy Lodge No. 299 and University Lodge No. 51, all of Philadelphia, contributed to the cause, as did Help for Our Heroes.

“University Lodge has a long history of charitable activities and donations, including supporting other lodges in need,” said Brother John Mosco, who is also a dual member of Doylestown Lodge No. 245 and a Past Master of Mozart Lodge No. 436. “We have a charity request evaluation process. In this instance, helping a soldier in need clearly aligned with our values. We were glad to support the effort.”

Lydia Speciale, CIV, Soldier & Family Readiness Specialist for Region 2 of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, had been offering military and community-based resources to the Lizotte family since September 2024 (while Chris was deployed), initially informing Tom about the family’s need for a vehicle. Helping Our Warriors graciously agreed to help cover the title transfer and other fees.

“Collectively, it was many organizations and individuals that played important roles to make this special dream come true for this family,” Lydia said.

“It meant a lot to me,” Chris said of being gifted with a new vehicle. “It was something that had put a lot of stress on me and my wife, in terms of what to do with the car and how to pay it off. My wife stays home with the kids. If they needed something, my mom or her mom would have to pick them up or get them what they needed.

“You don’t really see that anymore – people helping others out of the kindness of their hearts. I had never been in a situation before where I needed help, and it was one less thing to think about what I got home.”

Under Tom’s leadership, the Help for Our Heroes program continues to support military personnel and veterans. In early 2026, Tom delivered 15 bags of clothing, 34 new winter jackets and other items to The Attic, a non-profit organization at McGuire Air Force Base offering free, gently used uniforms, clothing and household items to veterans and their families.

Also through the program, Tom recently assisted a young reservist and single mom of four kids in Bristol, PA, who needed her heater repaired, and arranged for daily food deliveries and dinners. In addition, he helped Salute 2 Service, a nonprofit veterans’ organization, locate office space for the next five years.