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The
Hamilton Masonic Districts' Board of Relief
" A good exercise for the heart is
to bend down
and help someone up." -
Anonymous
Executive Committee
- February 2009 - February 2011
President
- R.W. Bro. Terence J. Brown
- 17 Fay Avenue
- Hamilton, ON
- L8T 4B9
- 905-388-0473
Vice-President
- W. Bro. Thomas Young
- 328 East 31st Street
- Hamilton, ON L8V 3P8
- 905-318-0182
Secretary-Treasurer
- R.W. Bro. Robert E. Kerr
- 16 Margaret Avenue
- Grimsby, ON
- L3M 4S1
- 905-945-0132
Past-President
- R.W. Bro. David Gibson Sr.
- #61-59 Queenslea Drive
- Hamilton, ON
- L8W 1P6
- 905-388-8800
Brethren, you can be proud of the work of your Board of
Relief. Through your support we will continue the good works formulated by our
rich heritage.
Remember, Masonry is not a "Service Club", however
Masons can be of service.
History of the Board of Relief
During the 1860
era the Hamilton Masonic Districts' Board of Relief was in its formative years,
providing leadership in establishing this very necessary arm to administer and
provide Masonic Charity and Benevolence.
Through the
support of the Grand Lodge Committee of Benevolence and the four city lodges of
the period, The Barton Lodge No. 6, The Lodge of Strict Observance No. 27, St.
John's Lodge No. 40 and Acacia Lodge No. 61, funds were provided to the Hamilton
Masonic Board of Relief for extension of aid and financial assistance to needy
brethren, their wives, widows and orphans. At that time each lodge had an
elected representative on the Board to administer the affairs. In subsequent
years funds were received from subscribing lodges and proceeds from semi-annual
Divine Services.
From the humble
beginnings the Board of Relief has grown to include the forty lodges within the
Hamilton Districts A, B and C of which each has a representative on the Board.
The Board is also a registered charity and maintains burial plots for indigent
Masons and their wives in Woodland Cemetery overlooking Hamilton Bay and in
Hamilton Cemetery on York Boulevard.
"The objectives
of the Hamilton Masonic Districts' Board of Relief shall be the extension of aid
and financial assistance to brethren, their families and such other charitable
purposes as the Board shall determine."
In 1978, the
phrase "and such other charitable purposes as the Board shall determine"
was added to its objectives. In so doing we are able to address a wider field of
human needs beyond the purview of masonic relief. Over the past twenty-three
years various grants totalling approximately $309,984 have been provided for the
relief of distress to the needy, both masonic and non-masonic alike.
During the past
year alone, total grants of $33,800 have been provided to assist individuals in
circumstances of need and various District supported programs.
To the Brethren of
Hamilton Masonic Districts' A, B and C your support will allow for the
continuation of the charitable works formulated by our rich heritage.
Information
Updated as of March 13, 2009
R.W. Bro. Robert
E. (Bob) Kerr
Secretary-Treasurer
HAMILTON
MASONIC DISTRICTS' BOARD OF RELIEF
SCHEDULE
OF BENEVOLENCE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
Guide
Dogs
Canada
$18,000.00
Phelan - McDermid Syndrome Project 3,370.00
McMaster Children's' Hospital Neo Natal Unit 2,500.00
Assist to family in
need
2,100.00
Assist to family in
need
1,000.00
Assist to family in
need
1,000.00
Assist to family in
need
1,000.00
Assist to individual in need
1,000.00
Assist to family in
need
1,000.00
Assist to family in
need
1,000.00
Assist to individual in need
1,000.00
Assist to family in need
830.40
$33,800.40
The following article appeared recently in a Hamilton
Health Sciences and Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation publication, under the
heading "Celebrating Donor Generosity"
Masons Support Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit
The Freemasons of Hamilton and area have been actively involved in our
community for a very long time. For those who are unfamiliar with the
fraternity, one of the underlying principals of Masonry is charity. Their
mandate is to give of oneself to help another who may be in need.
McMaster Children's Hospital has been fortunate enough to be the recipient of
this charitable group's generosity over many years.
The connection between the Masons and McMaster Children's Hospital started in
1987 when several Masons, including R.W. Bro. Paul Reeve*, sincerely
believed that there was a need to acknowledge the dedicated work of the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit.
The financial support began with a series of walkathons sponsored by the
"Masters' and Wardens' Association" (which, upon Reeve's untimely death, became
known as the "Paul Reeve Memorial Walk-for-Charity in Support of the Neonatal
Unit".) This event continued until 2002.
Although the walkathon hasn't been staged since then, the Hamilton Masonic
Districts' Board of Relief stepped in and continued the generosity resulting in
a total contribution of $12,625.
"We must point out that we're merely the vehicle," says Allan Hale,
President. "The credit goes to the various Masonic Associations, Lodges and
individual Masons who contribute to this worthy appeal."
Since 1987, the Masons of the Hamilton Districts have raised a total of
$159,590 in support of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. By living their
fraternity's tradition of caring, they have helped save the lives of hundreds of
children.
*R.W.Bro. Paul Reeve was a member and Past Master of Union Lodge #7 in
Grimsby, Ontario. He served the office on District Deputy Grand Master of
Hamilton Masonic District "B" in 1995-96.
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