UNIVERSAL LODGE
Masonic Community Charity Programs
Masonic Angel Foundation, Inc.
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Summer 2008 Edition
Masonic Angel
Fund
The Masons of Universal Lodge are pleased to offer the Masonic Angel Fundtm. One
of the premiere Masonic Charities in the Lower Cape area, the Masonic Angel
Fundtm was established here in 1998.
The “MAF” provides modest assistance to children in need who do not fit the
criteria for typical social-service programs. Such assistance might be to
provide a pair of glasses, a coat, shoes, field trip fees or tuition to an
enrichment program. Requests for assistance are fulfilled via confidential
requests from local school administrators and school nurses.
For example, if the nurse discovers a child who needs a winter coat she simply
makes a request to the Trustees of the MAF who will issue a check to the
principal or nurse in an appropriate amount.
The need for the services provided by the Masonic Angel Fundtm is far more
profound than we anticipated at the outset. Thus, the Lodge operates an ongoing
campaign to fund this vital community service project.
Since 1998, the Masonic Angel Fund has evolved into a national Masonic charity
program. In 2000 the Masonic Angel Foundation, Inc. was established. Its mission
is to propagate the Masonic Angel Fundtm program throughout the nation, working
with one Masonic Lodge at a time to establish an MAF in their local community.
To make a donation to the Masonic Angel Fund, please send your contribution to
Universal Masonic Angel Fund, Box 1474, Orleans, MA 02653. Checks should be made
payable to Universal Masonic Angel Fund. UMAF is a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization.
Masonic Angel Fundtm is a registered trademark of the Masonic Angel Foundation,
Inc.
CHIP
Masonic Video Child ID Program
The CHIP video child identification program is now in its fourth year of
operation here at Universal Lodge. In 1997, we began a capital campaign to
purchase two sets of camcorders, VCR’s, monitors and other equipment needed to
conduct video child identifications in the local schools. In only sixty days,
the Masons of the Lower Cape in cooperation with the York Rite Masons of Cape
Cod raised over $2,000 to get the program rolling.
Beginning in the winter of 1998, taping crews from Universal Lodge worked in
each elementary school in Orleans, Brewster, Eastham and Wellfleet. During its
first two school years, nearly 1,300 children have been “identified” by members
of our local Fraternal family. In the spring of 1999 this program was extended
to the Truro public schools through the good works of King Hiram’s Masonic Lodge
in Provincetown. Local police departments, banks, chambers of commerce,
businesses and individuals all helped to make this program possible.
The CHIP program is a very simple concept. The youngster is videotaped while he
or she is interviewed by one of our volunteers. The purpose of the taping is to
acquire the child’s mannerisms along with the information that they provide to
the interviewer. After the tape is checked for viewability, it is sent home with
the child along with a fingerprint kit that may be used by the parents.
We are proud that our local CHIP program is now a cornerstone of the state-wide
Masonic child identification campaign.
Scholarships
Each year, Universal Lodge offers several scholarships to students at Nauset
Regional High School. Through specific fund raising programs and the generosity
of our Masonic Brothers, Universal’s scholarship awards have increased
three-fold over the past six years.
Community Children’s Christmas Parties
Each year since 1995, Universal Lodge has sponsored a children’s Christmas party
for youngsters in the local elementary schools. These successful parties have
included entertainment by local performers and – of course – a very special
visit from Santa Claus.
Masonic Angel Foundation, Inc.
Founded by members of Universal Lodge, the mission of the Masonic Angel
Foundation, Inc. is to facilitate the adoption of Masonic Angel Fundstm by other
Masonic Lodges around the nation. In addition to propagating local MAF’s, the
Foundation offers grant funding opportunities to schools served by a Masonic
Angel Fundtm and the Lodges that adopt an MAF.
If you are a visitor to our area and have not heard about the Masonic Angel
Fundtm, please pass this brochure along to a Mason in your home community. If you
know a Masonic Lodge that would like more information about the Masonic Angel
Fundtm, please have them call the Foundation office at 508-255-8812.
To learn more about how you can become a part of Universal Lodge’s Community
outreach programs, please call our voice mail at 508-255-4880 or email
treasurer@universallodge.org. One of our members will be happy to call you.
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