Where to find Masonic Help

Let us start with a quote...

'To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Freemasons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

Illustrations Masonry, p. 72 William Preston, 1772.

Grasping the subtle nuances of the interlocking relationships of Masonic organizations is a simple task compared to cataloging their expenditures. As Professor Lipson observed, "Masonic charity was secret unlike civic charity whose administration made the entire town privy to the needs of each recipient." Thus a researcher can only capture the data from formally organized and public Masonic activities, but even this doesn't tell the whole story.

For example, the Masonic Service Association quietly oversees a Hospital Visitation Program with a goal that every V.A. Hospital in the United States have a Masonic volunteer working with patients. How can a value be placed on the more than 500,000 hours a year spent on this work? It just can't be done!

The best that can be achieved is to catalog that fraction of Masonic philanthropy that happens to be administered on a formal basis and to rest content in the knowledge that Masons today, as always, are seeking to provide relief for suffering humanity.

In 1990 American Masonic Philanthropy was $525 million or $1.4 million per day. It has been estimated that for 1994 formal American Masonic Philanthropy was over $625 million.

In finishing the list below, We find ourselves overwhelmed with the size of the list, so we will summarize it first. If you need help or knowledge in any of the following areas, then consult the list below for the location of the place to help you.

Childhood language disorders

Treatment for birth defects

Scholarship and direct grants to children and grandchildren of Scottish Rite Masons as well as to members of DeMolay, Job's Daughters, Rainbow for Girls, and other Masonic youth groups.

Research on diabetes

A summer camp for underprivileged children

Arteriosclerosis research

Christmas Day dinner the Des Moines community

Cancer research

Training awards for religious leadership and those making religious work their career

A museum and monument to our first President and a Mason

Grants to students in Schools of Government and Business Administration and International Affairs

Dental care for handicapped children

Scholarship assistance to nursing students

Geriatric research

Child development for good citizenship and sound character for Boys and Girls

Out-patient services for cancer treatment

Low cost education loans

Eye surgery and prescription glasses

Treatment for cancer patients and cancer research support

Masonic Hospital Visitation Program for V.A. Hospital volunteers

Research in heart disease, cancer, aging, hypertension, and blood substitutes

Meeting and performance facilities at the International Peace Garden

A clearing house on Masonic information

Education of youth about Drugs and Alcohol

Ohio Special Olympics

A non-denominational chapel for mediation and religious services at the International Peace Garden

Research into the causes and treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders

Research into auditory perception disorders in Children

A Georgia children's medical Center

A Museum and library focusing on our American heritage as well as Freemasonry's role in the history of our country

The first public library in the District of Columbia

Scholarship and fellowships for Ph.D. candidates in Public School Administration

Support for students seeking degrees in fields associated with service to country and humanity

Orthopedic services to children through a network of 22 hospitals and treatment for burns victims at three burns centers

Support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association

A provider of new shoes for need Tennessee and Alabama children

A orthopedic, neuralgic, and child development hospital in Texas

Operates a Texas for dyslexic and aphasia disorders in children

Provides needy homeless children in the school district with clothing and toiletries

The following is a listing of those American Masonic Charities included in the above:

Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship Program Provides direct grants to children and grandchildren of Scottish Rite masons as well as members of DeMolay, Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls, and other Masonic youth groups. Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, N.M.J.P.O. Box 51933 Marrett Road Lexington, Massachusetts 02173(617) 862-4410

Amaranth Diabetes Foundation Supports research on diabetes The Supreme Council, Order of the Amaranth Mrs. Ethel B. Fry, Supreme Secretary 2303 Murdoch Avenue Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101(304) 485-0423 or (304) 428-1565

Camp Chicota A summer camp for underprivileged children Grand Lodge of Louisiana, Prince Hall Affiliation 1335-37 North Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821(504) 387-0996

Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation Supports arteriosclerosis research Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation Marion K. Crum, Executive Secretary Route 4, Box 301 Nashville, Indiana 47448 (812) 988-8655

Des Moines Masonic Christmas Day Dinner Provides Christmas Day Dinner for the community Masonic Christmas Day Dinner Masonic Temple 1011 Locus Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309 (515) 244-6011

Eastern Star Cancer Research Project Supports cancer research General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star 1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20009-2578 (202) 667-4737

Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership Supports those who are making religious work their career General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star 1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20009-2578 (202) 667-4737

General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star Supports the Peace Chapel at the International Peace Garden which provides a non-denominational chapel for meditation and religious services General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star 1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20009-2578 (202) 667-4737

George Washington Masonic National Memorial A museum and monument to our first President (and a Mason) George Washington Masonic National Memorial 101 Calahan Drive Alexandria, Virginia 22301 (703) 683-2007

George Washington University Grants Provides grants to students in the Schools of Government and Business Administration and International Affairs and matching grants for graduate students Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, Southern Jurisdiction 1733 Sixteenth Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20009-31991-800-SR MASON

Grotto Dentistry for the Handicapped Program Provides dental care to handicapped children Supreme Council, M.O.V.P.E.R.34 N. Fourth Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 (614) 463-9193

Illinois Scottish Rite Nursing Scholarships Provides scholarship assistance to nursing students throughout Illinois. Illinois Scottish Rite Fund Illinois Council of Deliberation 915 N. Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 787-7605

Indiana Masonic Home Foundation An endowment which supports the Indiana Masonic Home, a retirement and convalescence center. Located on 360 acres and home for over 400 residence.P. O. Box 44210525 North Illinois Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46224-0210 (800) 277-4643

Indianapolis Scottish Rite Foundation Supports geriatric research at the University of Indiana Medical School Indianapolis Scottish Rite Bodies 650 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-1294 (317) 635-2301

International Order of Job's Daughters A organization for girls between the ages of eleven and twenty who are relatives of Master Masons Supreme Guardian Council, International Order of Job's Daughters 233 West 6th Street Papillion, Nebraska 68046 (402) 592-7987

International Order of Rainbow for Girls A organization for girls between the ages of eleven and eighteen who are daughters of Masonic or Eastern Star families or friends of such girls International Order of Rainbow for Girls P.O. Box 788 McAlester, Oklahoma 74502 (918) 423-1328

Kansas Masonic Oncology Center Provides out-patient services for cancer treatment Kansas Masonic Foundation 320 West 8th Street P.O. Box 1217 Topeka, Kansas 66601-1217 (913) 357-7646

Knights Templar Educational Foundation Provides students with low-cost education loans 5097 Elston Ave, Suite 101 Chicago, Illinois 60630-2460 (312) 427-5670

Knights Templar Eye Foundation Supports eye surgery and prescription glasses P.O. Box 579 Springfield, Illinois 62705-0579 (217) 523-3838

Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center Provides treatment for cancer patients and supports research Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc.1700 West Highway 36, Suite 610 Roseville, Minnesota 55113 (612)639-8433

Masonic Hospital Visitation Program Provides Masonic volunteers to work with patients at Veterans Administration and military hospitals Masonic Services Association of the United States 8120 Fenton Street Silver Spring, Maryland 20910(301) 588-4010

Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, Utica, New York Supports research in heart disease, cancer, aging, hypertension, and blood substitutes 2150 Bleeker Street Utica, New York 13501-1787 (315) 735-2217

Masonic Memorial Auditorium, International Peace Garden Provides meeting and performance facilities for visitors Grand Lodge of North Dakota 201 14th Avenue North Fargo, North Dakota 58102 (701) 235-8321

Masonic Services Association of the United States Serves as a clearing house for Masonic information

National Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children Supports education for youth about drugs and alcohol 1629 K Street N.W., Suite 606 Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 331-1933

Ohio Special Olympics The Masonic Grand Lodge of Ohio sponsors several Ohio Special Olympian at these games Grand Lodge of Ohio P.O. Box 629 Worthington, Ohio 43085-0629 (614) 885-5318

Order of DeMolay A fraternal organization for boys between the ages of thirteen and twenty-one; its purpose is the encouragement and development of good citizenship and sound character International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay 10200 N. Executive Hills boulevard P.O. Box 901342 Kansas City, Missouri 64190-1342 (816) 891-8333