Philanthropy

Brother Harry Woods, 95, hosted his last blood drive on Oct. 8, 2024, at Eureka-West Shore Lodge No. 302, Mechanicsburg.

Having served as the lodge’s Blood Chairman for over 35 years, Harry was integral in the collection of over 1,700 units of blood, which translates into saving up to 5,100 lives. In addition, the lodge donated the $10 per pint it received from the Masonic Blood + Organ Donor Program to the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Harrisburg. The lodge celebrated Harry’s service with cake and ice cream, and Harry received numerous accolades for his dedication.

In August 2024, catastrophic flooding caused by remnants of Hurricane Debby ravaged areas of Tioga County, triggering harrowing rescue efforts and extensive destruction.

Several brethren were among those severely impacted, and some of the local lodge buildings sustained water damage, as well. As expected, members who were able immediately offered to help, either with cleanup and recovery efforts or through financial support.

When Worshipful Master Cliff Rigby received an email from R.W. Grand Master Larry Derr encouraging lodges to support relief efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, he added the request to the agenda for that evening’s stated meeting of Trojan Lodge No. 306, Troy. The lodge decided to organize a donation collection on the weekend of Oct. 19-20.

A professional truck driver for 27 years, Cliff owns a semi-truck and immediately got to work contacting potential supporters.

Thanks to a generous donation from Concordia Lodge No. 67, Jenkintown, two elevators in a memory care area at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown were painted to reflect a gorgeous view of the campus.

For those living with dementia, colors are important, with green being one of the last colors to be recognized.

On Oct. 8, 1926, Pennsylvania DeMolay founder Ralph C. Minehart made history when he conferred the DeMolay International Legion of Honor to the first class of Pennsylvanians to be so honored. Oct. 20, 2024 was an equally historic day when the Civic Legion of Honor, approved by DeMolay International, was conferred for the first time upon a class of 14 deserving current or former “Mom” Advisors in Elizabethtown. This notable event was repeated on Oct. 27 when another three “Mom” Advisors were recognized in a conferral in Butler.

The clock is ticking down on the opportunity to apply for the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation’s Educational Endowment Fund Scholarships. Applications and required attachments must be postmarked by March 15, 2025 to be considered. With as much as $200,000 available in funding for these highly competitive scholarships, all eligible students are encouraged to complete and submit an application for the scholarships.

On Oct. 19, 2024, members, advisors and friends of Pennsylvania DeMolay gathered at the Masonic Conference Center–Patton Campus in Elizabethtown to dedicate a Kwanzan Cherry Tree in memory of the founder of the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, R.W. Past Grand Master and Past Executive Officer of Pennsylvania DeMolay Samuel C. Williamson.

The first phase of a multi-year renovation of several buildings in the Village Green area of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown will begin in March 2025, resulting in one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with a kitchen, living room, washer/dryer and modern technology. Pennsylvania Masons will be given the first opportunity to reserve one of the 19 new apartments in the first phase prior to marketing to the general public. Entrance fees and monthly service fees are moderately priced compared to other homes on campus.

We are excited to announce that beginning in early 2025, the Grand Lodge will unveil new logos for each of its Masonic Charities: the Masonic Villages; the Masonic Temple, Library and Museum; the Masonic Blood+Organ Donor Program; the Masonic Children’s Home; and the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation. This initiative began with the rebranding of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania/Pennsylvania Masons earlier this year.

Brothers Bill Soloway and Cameron Smith competed in the Transplant Games as part of Team Philadelphia. The Transplant Games are a biennial summer Olympic-style competition that raises organ and tissue donor awareness by showcasing the abilities of individuals who have undergone life-saving transplant surgeries.