Brethren, the Grand Lodge Office of Philanthropy has issued the
“15 Largest Lodges Giving Report”
for fiscal (July to June) 2006–2007 First Half. Southern California
Lodge is 3rd largest Lodge in California, and also 3rd in the number of
members contributing (5th in Percentage), just behind Downey United and
Ionic Composite Lodges. If this continues through the year, we will be ahead
of last year’s participation rate, when we were ranked 8th among the
top 15, and 84th among the 580 Lodges in California. This is very good, but
remember that the need is never-ending. It would be nice if we were to become
the top Lodge in California.
RELIEF: To aid and assist all distressed brethren and their widows I often wonder how many of us are standing around waiting for some major catastrophe to befall some brother and/or his widow before we step up to the plate and open our pocketbooks as well as our hearts. I say us because I′ve been as guilty in this regard as anyone else. However, as I am becoming more informed about the distresses of practical everyday living, rather than some major calamity, confronting some of our more senior and thereby more needy brethren and their widows, I have chosen to become more proactive in my fidelity to my vow to aid and assist them.
How do I personally intend to fulfill that pledge? First, by becoming better informed about the available services and need for benevolent sharing. Secondly, since I am the Lodge Ambassador, I will visit and/or contact all the brethren and their widows of Southern California Lodge now receiving assistance through the Masonic Homes and Masonic Outreach Services to assure that they are being satisfactorily provided for. I will also listen to any suggestions for improvement in services that they might offer and forward these to the proper persons for review and implementation where feasible. And finally, I will make a financial commitment (based upon my resources) to our Masonic Charities at least once every quarter of the year. Since this statement is being prepared in April, which begins the 2nd quarter of the year, I′ll have made my first benevolent gift to our charities before you get to read this. Now I′d like to ask you brother, will you follow my lead and make a commitment to our Charities?
The Brotherhood in general, and you and I in particular, would do well to realize that the day is fast approaching when it will be our turn to look for a helping hand with our troubles. With every day that we live that time grows nearer. Now we brethren are the lifeline for our charities. Without our continuing support our charities simply cannot survive. But the fact that they have been sustained up until now testifies to the fulfillment of the commitment to aid and assist all distressed brothers by the generations of Masons who have gone before us and those generous brothers of this present generation who have made themselves aware of the need.
Fraternally,
John Drewery Lodge Ambassador
Every donation helps, no matter how small. A small Monthly donation, even
$5.00, is a painless way to give. If you can't do that, just send something
when you receive the request from Grand Lodge.
Remember that you can now donate on-line. Just click this link.
Southern California Lodge is a Proud Sponsor of the Challenger Division of the Culver City Little League.
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Brothers, The 2007 Challengers Little League season has begun. The Challengers are mentally or physically challenged children from 5 to the time they leave high school who have a desire to play baseball to the extent of their abilities. Under the guidance of Monique Van Gerwen, the Challengers have grown to a division-wide program that fields two teams, the Dodgers and the Angels. The children are drawn from throughout the Division 25 Little League territory (from Santa Monica to South Los Angeles). Southern California Lodge has been the proud sponsor of both teams since 2001. We provide their uniforms and help them with their annual awards lunch at the end of the season. We also provide some of the rooting section at the weekly Saturday morning games. The way these kids play is right in line with our teachings. They play upon the square and show respect for each other's abilities. They all win. You'll come to respect them and their families as you get to know them. It's truly wonderful that we can help them. The 2007 season begins on opening day, February 24th at 10:00 a.m., at the Culver City National Little League field off Jefferson Blvd. at Duquesne. The first game of the year is on March 3rd. Games begin at 10:00 a.m. and last one hour. We are invited to arrive between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. There are games each Saturday at this time until June 2nd, except for April 7 and May 26th, holiday weekends. The awards lunch on June 2nd at noon follows the last game of the season. The Challengers play at the Culver City High School baseball field on Lucerne Ave, one block east of Sepulveda Blvd. The street dead-ends at the baseball field entrance. We also will plan breakfasts for Lodge members and friends before some of the games. If you are interested in joining the growing crowd of Masons in the bleachers, please contact Dave Chernik, P.M. for information (310–679–4066). |
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