By Robert L. Sills, PM, S.G.D.
Over the years Robin and I have made a contribution to the Masonic Homes and the California Masonic Foundation. This year we increased the amount we gave. When Bill Miller, PM asked me to write an article for the Trestle Board about giving to the Masonic charities I wasn't sure what I would write about. Then it came to me; Robin and I had increased our donation to both the Homes and to the Foundation. I would share some of our reasons with my brethren. So what′s the answer, why did we increase our donation?
The answer could be as easy as saying that inflation had diminished the value
of the amount we had given annually and that alone was reason enough to give
more. This would be too simple an answer, the answer is simple. We looked at
the two programs. They are excellent, they really provide a service that
benefits Masons and their families, benefit the community and potentially
benefit Robin and me. Originally we gave because of a feeling of Masonic
obligation. Charity is part of the history, philosophy and obligation of Masons
and Masonry. Our contribution was because we were a Masonic family
, we
had an obligation to support the homes;
and we wanted to see the Lodge
on the Honor Roll of Lodges.
When I was initiated in July of 1972 the
Master graphically instructed me in Masonic Charity. When raised in 1973 the
Master informed me that I had already made my first contribution to a Masonic
charity. (Its one of the secrets
of Masonry, that part of your
initiation fee is a donation.) There is no doubt that we have an obligation to
support our brethren. Giving because of an obligation is fine. It doesn′t
diminish either the gift or the giver, but luckily Robin and I found a better
reason to give and to give at a higher level to our Masonic charities. They
are doing a great job!
Let us first consider the Masonic Homes. At Masonic meetings over a period
several years (no one said we were fast studies) we learned that the Masonic
Homes aren′t warehouses; the program has length and breadth; each of the
locations is clean and well maintained. We known there is a beautiful facility
for children. The adult programs accommodate those from the active to the
severely disabled. Then we noticed that the Homes program is one Robin and/or I
might need! We are lucky, we have a good retirement strategy in place; we are
able to support ourselves, so why would we need the charity
of the Homes?
It′s not a charity
, it is a program which helps any Mason who needs
it. As the web site states Because many fraternal family members prefer to age
in their own homes or home communities yet need help coping with the challenges
associated with aging, the Masonic Homes of California provides the Masonic
Outreach Services (MOS) program.
Gee, by giving to the Homes part of the
Masonic charities we not only help our brethren and their families, but we can
make sure that if needed there will be a service available to support our
independence in our waning years.
What about the Foundation? We knew it gave scholarships to deserving students, and we learned it was doing more. It was training teachers to recognize at risk kids, kids that were in danger of drifting into anti-social waters; and, more importantly, how to intervene and redirect them away from the shoals. This was good! Every child who becomes a productive member of society makes our lives (not theirs but yours and mine) safer and more positive. The Teacher Training program is just one aspect of the Foundation activities. There also is the Child ID portion and the scholarship program which still supports students (future leaders).
Masonic Charities don′t just give away money or things or support pie in the sky ideas. They actually do something for people; they work; they are successful, they are worthy. By giving to them Robin and I are doing something. It′s more than fulfilling an obligation, it feels good; that′s why we upped our donation to Masonic charity. As the end of the year approaches it′s a good time to do something for yourself, it's a good time to increase your gift to Masonic Charity, it's a good time to feel good!