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Natick Masonic lodge helps out families in need
Friday, December 24, 2004
This holiday season, Natick's
Meridian Masonic Lodge is assisting several local Dover-based critical
and urgent need children and families of deployed military personnel.
Through their Masonic Angel Fund, which provides basic necessities to
schoolchildren in need, Meridian Masonic Lodge has teamed up with the
USO New England Council to provide holiday toys, clothing, games and
gifts for several local children.
USO New England executive director
Alice Harkins recently received thousands of dollars from the Masons to
assist dozens of these children in an effort to give them a happy
holiday. Harkins then adeptly used the donations and funding to purchase
as many toys, dolls, games, books, clothing, sports equipment and other
gifts as possible through clearance sales, discounts and the cooperation
of local merchants for the benefit of the kids.
"These children and families face
significant hardship, both financially and emotionally, during the
holidays," said Harkins. "The Masons are constant supporters of the USO
and we truly appreciate their generosity as they provide the best of
holiday experiences for children suffering as a parent is deployed. By
providing these gifts, the Masons are bringing smiles to dozens of
military families statewide."
One of the fastest-growing Masonic
charities in the world, The Masonic Angel Fund, a program of the Grand
Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, was founded in 1998 by John Alden
Sherman and Robert W. Fellows, two members of Universal Lodge A.F. &
A.M. in Orleans, MA. It has spread to 90 Lodges in 10 states. One of the
fundamental principles of the MAF is that 100 percent of the money
raised stays in that community and every penny goes to the kids. A
cornerstone of the program is the close relationship that develops
between the local school system and the sponsoring Lodge, allowing the
children to be served in a rapid, efficient manner, underscoring the
legacy of Masons as the "can do" people in the community. |