2021 Impact Report

OREGON MASONIC CHARITIES

2020 Impact Report

Our deepest thanks to our partners, Brethren, and Masonic Family for your continued support.

Welcome

The Generosity of Oregon Freemasons makes me proud to be a Mason. The basic Masonic principle of Charity is of vital importance and is flourishing in Oregon. Freemasons around the world are renowned for their charitable works, and Oregon Masons are contributing mightily to that reputation. This report will provide you with information regarding different aspects of charitable giving through the Oregon Masonic charities.

There are two primary funds which enable delivery of charitable benefits. The first is the Home Endowment Fund, which supports Masonic health and care services through the Masonic & Eastern Star Home, MasonicAid, and Children’s Financial Assistance. The second is the Oregon Masonic Charitable Foundation, which funds many different programs including

Creating A Partnership, student scholarships, and the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program. Other funds include the Educational Assistance fund and traditional disaster relief.

Members of the Fraternity, associated Appendant and Concordant bodies, youth groups, and friends of this Masonic Family all donate their time and treasure to provide this charitable assistance, thus demonstrating their commitment to their organizations and communities. I would like to thank each of you and challenge you to continue meeting the high standards we have set for ourselves.

Your work and efforts are making a difference!

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Mark L. Posler, Grand Master 2022-2023

The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon

WE BELIEVE

Men of good character can join together to foster a brotherhood of dutiful stewards to provide charity beyond ourselves and strengthen our communities. We believe that together we can make a difference.

MASONIC & EASTERN STAR HOME BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon

CHAIRMAN

Gregory Jenkins

Immediate Past Grand Master

Mark Posler

Grand Master

Timothy Best

Senior Grand Warden

Auxiliary Members: Gary Ball Grand Treasurer

Craig Sipp Deputy Grand Master

The Oregon Order of the Eastern Star

VICE CHAIR

Leslie Van Etten

Junior Past Grand Matron

Laura Frye

Worthy Grand Matron

Marc Strong Junior Grand Warden

James Morgan, P.G.M. Grand Secretary

Richard Varner Senior Grand Deacon

Stephanie Beall Associate Grand Matron

Lanni Strong Grand Conductress

• Visit our website at www.OregonFreemasonry.com/donate.

• Authorize a specified amount to be electronically transferred each month directly from your checking account or credit card.

• Call the Grand Lodge Office at 503.357.3158 to make a contribution over the phone.

• Consider listing Oregon Masonic charities as a beneficiary in your will, trust, or estate.

To amplify the community-focused projects Oregon Lodges are involved in, Creating A Partnership aims to make a bigger impact on the recipients and community. The Grand Lodge offers 50 percent reimbursement, repaying fifty cents for every dollar a Lodge extends in support.

There are two categories of beneficiaries that qualify Lodges for fund reimbursement:

INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES

Providing clothing, school supplies, coats, shoes, dental work, eyeglasses, etc. Lodge scholarships are also an eligible form of support.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Supporting sack lunch, backpack, health or reading programs, and other projects operated by charitable or other non-profit organizations. Public entities such as a school, firehouse, or police department also qualify.

31

Lodges received matching-funds to support local communities.

CREATING A PARTN ERSHIP

"We started a new program to ad dress the basic needs and hygiene supplies for children within the Fos ter Care system. We fill a backpack with nec items, activities, clothes, and toys, then state agents can pick up a bag to help children adjust to their new place without worry."

- W.B. Anthony Chase

Salem Lodge No. 4

READING INCENTIVES

SALEM - Bug-out-Bags were provided to foster children, including basic supplies.

HERMISTON - "Pass the hat" funds helped local police offer a homeless family a hotel stay.

THE DALLES - Books were provided to local children via partnership with First Book.

You helped

KIDS ACCESS

READING TOOLS

When adversity impacts a family, education becomes even more pivotal.

Principal of Russel Elementary, Ms. Samantha Ragaisis commented, “some students have parents who are incarcerated, while others are seasonal workers and as

such, the students are not always able to engage in learning throughout the year.”

When East Gate Lodge No. 155 stepped up to support the school, Ms. Ragaisis was thrilled to collect 32 Kindle e-Readers. W.B. Christopher Lancefield notes, the Lodge “saw this as an opportunity to help educate others, and to increase access to opportunities for those who want to learn how to read.”

Creating A Partnership is here to support

Lodges in efforts like these, reimbursing 50% of the money spent on community and school-related projects including scholarships, Kindles, food boxes, etc. Lancefield concludes, “I feel very satisfied to connect with the school in this way, and to support the students. Our Lodge voted to make a difference in our community.”

Pictured: W.B. Ken Clulow, W.B. Christopher Lancefield, and Principal Ms. Ragaisis.

YOU'VE SHOWN SUPPORT AND CARE TO LOCAL STUDENTS FACING HARDSHIP

Since 2009, MasonicAid has offered steady assistance to our members and their families in times of need. MasonicAid seeks to support quality of life for worthy and distressed Oregon Master Masons, their wives, widows and children, and female members of the Oregon Order of the Eastern Star.

We proudly offer the following services (subject to eligibility):

RESOURCE NAVIGATION

Clients work with a MasonicAid case manager to help streamline the process and ensure they understand the best solutions available to them.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

MasonicAid can provide funding to assist members with health and household needs in their own homes and communities. We may also be able to offer a financial subsidy for those living in a retirement community.

CHILDREN'S

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The costs for medical, vision, or dental services and equipment can be overwhelming. Funds are available to lighten the burden of care for children and dependents through age 21.

MASONICAID

"Thank you on behalf of our family for doing all that you could to help us. Truly, a weight has been lifted. For the first time in what feels like forever, I can breathe a little easier."

- Grateful Master Mason

"This assistance came at a perfect time. It will help me purchase the medicine that I [need]. Thank you so very much! Blessings to everyone! "

- Appreciative Sister, OES

RENT / UTILITIES IN-HOME CARE MEDICATION + EQUIPMENT

Live the lifestyle you choosehelp is available at home or in a retirement community.

Help with medical and dental health costs for the children of Masonic Families is available.

Support with household chores is one of the top forms of assistance requested.

You helped

GIVE A SENSE OF SECURITY

Not all retirement homes are created equal and when care needs arise, uncertainty can follow. Finding the right fit is important and often hinges on the quality of care and health workers on-site.

Arinda, a 49-year member of the Oregon

Order of the Eastern Star, appreciates the kind and helpful staff at the Jennings McCall Center, the Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Forest Grove. Due to health concerns, Arinda moved in almost 20 years ago and says, “It’s the people, the staff, that make living here so great! They’re like family to me and I am confident I’ll be well taken care of!”

No matter what region of Oregon a client chooses to live in, MasonicAid can step in

when needs exceed their means to help subsidize their retirement living. Especially during times of extreme inflation of health care costs, MasonicAid's ability to fill in the gap is pivotal. While serving clients like Arinda, it brings us great pride to partner with great health service providers to fulfill our Masonic obligation of caring for others!

YOU BROUGHT PEACE AND QUALITY CARE TO MASONIC FAMILY MEMBERS IN NEED

Pictured: Jennings McCall Adminstrator

Victor Lanna with MasonicAid client Arinda.

To support our community and local schools, Oregon Freemasonry partners with Fox12 News to honor a Classroom of the Month and invite the public to nominate those in need of supplies and support. Throughout the school year, classrooms are selected from those nominations and awarded $1,000 in supplies of their choice.

Local Freemasons are invited to participate in the presentation of these supplies, either in person or online via Zoom. Fox12 films the presentations to air across digital and television platforms, helping share the good works of Freemasonry and build relationships and rapport.

Without fail, the recipients are humbled by the award and often child-like themselves in picking out all the new tools and supplies for their students. It's a great opportunity to fill the gap for classrooms in need and support those that diligently invest in children.

LOCAL PARTNERSHIP: CLASSROOM OF THE MONTH

In an educator survey*, of teachers need more supplies because of learning loss caused by COVID-19.

78%

*According to the 2022 survey by AdoptAClassroom.org.

"Thank you so much for such a generous award and I really appreciate it. Thank you...for helping me to provide more opportunities for my students in the classroom."

- Ms. Kristy Edmiston

Kindergarten Teacher, Salem OR

"I’m an educator myself and I know it’s a really hard profession – so I’m really happy the money is going to someone who is really excited about making every day special for kids."

- W.B. Rian Ford

Participant, Tuality Lodge

$8,000

In 2021, we provided over in school supplies to support local classrooms and students.

Hands-on tools are the num ber one supply request among teachers and students.

Dozens of worthy educators were nominated for Classroom of the Month around the state.

Heightened hygiene safety required additional quantities of supplies for all students.

Giveaway

School supplies are the most basic tool for children's education but not always the most readily available amid budget restraints. That’s why the response is so positive when the Classroom of the Month is presented with $1,000 in supplies

by the Freemasons. Ms. Sandy Shrum of Lebanon High School has been teaching for over 35 years and knows this gift will benefit students in her life skills classroom, who may have physical, social, or cognitive disabilities.

Based on the specialized needs of the students, the class continued to meet throughout the pandemic in a small-group format, unique during the campus closures. Having the right tools on hand was very

important to the success of the students as they learned about budgeting, cooking, and social skills. “The end goal here is for [them] to be contributing and successful members of society,” Ms. Shrum notes about her work. “It’s a joy every day to be with them. I’d like to thank the Oregon Freemasons for this gift, and we are very appreciative – we’re going to use it for good tools for our classroom.”

students benefited from the support provided to their families.

As our longest-standing program, Educational Assistance has benefitted the children and grandchildren of Oregon Master Masons since 1950. Specifically, financial assistance is provided to help families struggling to make ends meet while children are in public schools (K-12) and post-high school, through age 22.

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

This program meets members of the Masonic Family where they're at when hardship or needs arise, supporting the educational success of their children and grandchildren. Below are a few messages from benefitting families:

"Thank you so much for all your added support to help my son during his senior year. We appreciate all that you do for us daily."

- Grateful Parent

"Thank you for your generosity. It helps us so much every month.

Student success is of utmost impor tance, prompting this offering to help pay for school supplies, tuition, and even utilities and rent if the child lives at home. Need-based support is coordinated through the Grand Lodge office with help from the associated District Deputy and Lodge.

Through this collaboration, 25 families were helped during the 2021-2022 school year. Our members should take pride in the impact they have made and will continue to leave on the lives of these students and Masonic families.

[My son] is doing tackle football this year, [my daughter] went through a successful ear drum surgery and is helping manage her high school football team for now. Thank you so much. "

- Appreciative Mother

Funds help ensure no meals are ever missed by families or their children in school.

School supplies and clothing are often the needs met through this support.

We help with course materials and textbooks, costing an average of $1,240 each year.

LODGE RESTORATION & REPAIR GRANTS

While the numbers presented in this publication focus on assistance provided to our members, their families and communities, it is important to note that funds were also distributed to maintain our Masonic history.

Grants are available to any Oregon Lodge up to $10,000 annually, provided in the form of matching funds to support improvements and ensure longevity of Lodge buildings. This has enabled Lodges to finally conduct work that has been on hold for decades. Masonic buildings are more than just a meeting place, they are a beacon of the history and brotherhood of Freemasonry - worthy of conservation. In 2021, almost

Throughout 2021, teachers faced the intense difficulty of educating children from afar. Now, as the pandemic wanes, students return to school and with them bring additional social and emotional challenges.

In order to support academic success, the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program provides specific strategies for identification and intervention in the areas of academics, health, behavior, and attendance. The program continues in a virtual format, offering an intensive, highly experiential training for teams of 5-8 educators from each school.

MASONIC MODEL STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

*

76%

of public schools reported increased concerns around students showing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma.

*According to the 2020-2021 National Center for Education Statistics.

"Thank you so much for sponsoring this training and supporting our efforts to empower and support all our student's needs."

- School Bilingual Specialist

Ash Creek

Elementary School

"This was invaluable to my students and to me. I'm so glad I took this training and I hope it makes a difference to many, many students in the future."

- Title 1 Teacher Siuslaw School District

It is through this collaboration that students may be steered toward school and community resources for support. Attendees rave that this Masonic-sponsored program is a fresh take on a commonplace issue and they appreciate the support of the Fraternity in serving students.

Virtual trainings offered in the 2021-2022 academic year. TWICE

Collaborative teamwork is imperative to the success of intervention and support.

Attendees can implement the training as soon as they're back on campus.

Many schools learn about this program when the local Lodge shares information with them.

DISTRESSED MASONS OF OREGON RELIEF FUND

We helped our Masonic Family endure a pandemic securely!

In an effort to help Oregon Freemasons and their families through turbulent times, direct financial assistance and other local resources were made available.

Food was put on the table. Medical needs were covered despite lost jobs. Homes were kept warm with utility service. Families were kept secure as the world was impacted by COVID-19 and local wildfires.

We wish to thank all those who donated to this effort - for helping another in need.

"This is an incredible help. Thank you. Words cannot express my gratitude. This will certainly help my family through this. It is truly a relief. Thank you."

- A Masonic Brother and single Dad who received help with rent and utilities when his business shut down

"I want to express my gratitude to you, the trustees of the MasonicAid program (and by extension, ALL the Masons of Oregon), for the help that kept me going during one of the most trying and troublesome times of my life."

While the program has been discontinued, the recipients of the aid are entirely grateful. Any remaining funds will be set aside to help in future instances of hardship-based need and requests for assistance. THANK YOU to all our donors who made this effort possible!

- A Masonic Brother who received help with rent and utilities when unemployment funds were delayed

DONORS

Donors

FOUNDATION

Hale, Frank L. John Moffitt Foundation Kerber Estate Shoup, John D.

CORNERSTONE

Fidelity Charitable Insurance Partners, LLC Rainier Lodge No. 24 UBS Financial Services Inc.

MASTERS

Courtland "CB" Brooks OES Grand Chapter Vista Masonic Lodge No. 215

FELLOWCRAFT

Bratton, James Evergreen Lodge No. 137 F & M Schoene Endowment Fund Frank W. & Mabel Settlemier Fund Goodall Foundation

Gerbrandt Family Grand Encampment of Knights Templar

Hansen Hunter & Company P.C. Hyman Sadoff Irr Living Trust Lancefield, Christopher K. Palestine Masonic Lodge Trust Pruitt, Jeremiah T. Teninty, Douglas Wasco Lodge Masonic Fund Washington Lodge No. 46 Willamette Lodge No. 2

APPRENTICE

All Aspects Renovations, LLC Case Jr., Arthur Cox, Harold East Gate Lodge No. 155 Herres, Thomas J. Holbrook Lodge No. 30 Horner, Greg Johnson, Delmer D. Keller, Bob M. Ladarre, Robert Long, Robert O. Marys River Lodge No. 221 Molzen, George Newkirk, Loren & Marjorie Portland Lodge No. 55 Smith, Dennis J. Thompson Jr., Fred P. Walling, Donald J. Washington Chapter 18 R.A.M.

Washington Commandery #15Knights Templar of Oregon Yesilada, Birol

PETITIONER

Adah Chapter No. 34, OES Adams, Charles L. Adams, Kathryn H. Adarel Chapter No. 3, OES Albro, Martha Andrews, Robert B. Baldwin, Lloyd B. Bandon Lodge No. 130 Barclay, Anna & Robert Bauc, Kevin Beall, Stephanie A. Beaverton Masonic Lodge No. 100 Belshe, James R. Belt Lodge No. 18 Ben-Israel, Alexander Best, Timothy Birch Jr., John C. Bitar, William

270

Blanco Lodge No. 48

Blankenship, Larry Wayne Borbely, Steven G. Bowlds, James Harrison Boyd, Robert I. Bresler Buchan, Patricia M. Bulgin, George Burkholder Jr., Warren Camp, Fredrick A. Campbell, David Canfield, Harry & Judith Carder, W. Ray Carr, Stanley Carter, Darrell S. Cascade Cherry Growers, Inc. Central Oregon Chapter No. 23, OES Chandler, Richard Devon Clatskanie Lodge No. 133 Clune, David Columbia Lodge No. 114 Coomer, Robert Corey, Robert Cornerstone Lodge No. 157 Cox, Cleon Crowder, Jason Cunningham, Michael Daphne Chapter No. 139, OES Davies, J. Glen Davis, Charles Davis, Christopher Davis, Michael Sherwin

DeVoll, Kevin Dickson Memorial Fund Dixon, Thomas S. Dodd, Donald K. Donati, Charley J. Dorman, James W. Duckett, Larry L. Dugan, Larry A. Duncan Living Trust Dymowski, Thomas East Linn Lodge No. 44 Elliott, William M. Erwin, Craig & Sharon Esther Chapter No. 11, OES

Euclid Chapter No. 70, OES Flynn, Michael Foster, JoAnna Fox, Dalton Francis Jr., Kenneth E. Frazeur, Christopher M. Frazier, Dean B. Friendship Rose Chapter No. 148, OES Frye, Melvin & Loretta Fugere, Patrick Garlinghouse, Robert Gedlick, Robert Gervais Chapter No. 118, OES Graham, James R. Grande Ronde Valley No. 49, OES Granger Jr., George Gray, Daniel K.

Gray, Warren Greer, Anne Groomer, Bill Hagan, Wayne Harper, Ben W. Harris Family Trust Hatch, Forrest L. Heddle, John Heyer, Hans J. Hincher, Allen Hinkelman, Greg A. Hirst, Dean S. Holce, Randall Howard, Harold Nelson Howe, Rex C.

DONORS

Donors

J. Evan Nelson Living Trust

Jenkins, Greg Jenkins, Robert H. Jensen, Jerry L. Johnson, Gene Johnson, W.E. Johnson, Walt Kaufman, Joseph Q. Kaye, Robert Keene, Philip Keirsey, David G. Kelley, William S. Kinney, Calvin & Susan E. Klamath Lodge No. 77 Komraus, Rick C. Kroger Landauer, Robert Lang, Philip Larrance, Stephen Laurel Lodge No. 13 Lents Lodge No. 156 Lester, James L. Livie, Carol Lohrfink, John Loveland Funeral Chapel Lowell, Robert O. Lummis, Jarrod

Lyon Lodge No. 29 Madison, R. James Marguerite Chapter No. 60, OES Marshall, Jerry M. Martin, Wayne L. McCathern, Steven W. McKinney, Robert A. McNamara, James Charles Mehlhaff, Richard 'Mel' Meridian Chapter No. 179, OES Miller, Morris Miller, Ronald Miller, Theodore E. Mitchell, Lee Mizpah Chapter No. 30, OES Moore, John & Carol L. Mora, Robert

Morgan, James L. Mosier, George Mow, Wayne A. Munson, Jim Myers, Phil Myrtle Lodge No. 78 Nelson Jr., Raymond H. Network for Good Newport Lodge No. 85 Noel, Thomas North Bend Lodge No. 140 Norton, Edwin Oard, Michael D. Obeid, Mitri "Mitch" I.

Oregon Beverage Recycling Coop

Pacific Lodge No. 50 Pearce, Fred Pearn, Albyn D. Petrie, Lester S. Petrowsky, Duane Piatt, Robert B. Pickwick, Richard Poletti, Douglas Posler, Mark L. Price, Gary L. Reardon, James A. Redmond Chapter No. 109, OES Redmond Lodge No. 154 Richert, David A. Riggs, David E. Roberts, Edgar N. Roberts, Steven Jay Robley, Wade W. Robson, Clayton W. Rohaly, Richard L. Rohrbacher, Mark

Ross, Steven Paul Salema, Manase

Sandy Lodge No. 158 Schrader, Elmer Schroeder, Tad L. Sexton, Carl C. Shaul Sr., Edwin Shaw, J. Kenneth Shettler, Richard H. Shoeman, John R.

Sidney Croft Lodge No. 206 Siefer, Troy B.

Silver Wave Chapter No. 18, OES Smith, Glenva A. Smith, Stanley Smith-Zimin, Judith Springer Jr., Frank D. Spurgeon, Joseph H. Stuart, Jared Sullivan, Richard A. Sunnyside Lodge No. 163 Thompson, Robert M. Thompson, Rodney E. Tillamook Lodge No. 57 Tomlinson, Clive Troxler Jr., Boyce "Don" D. Tucker, John Turner, Ernie & Jane Turner, John & Barbara Umatilla Lodge No. 40

Valiant Sellwood Chapter No. 92, OES

Van Anda, James Van Buren, Phillip C. Varner, Richard Velvin Jr., Thomas M. Victoria Chapter No. 76, OES Wang, Edwin Warren Lodge No. 10 Weedman, Todd Welch, Patrick White, Larry Williams, Roger Wilt, Jay Winters, Arnold L. Winters, Ryan Wittish, Don C. Ziegler, Gary M. Zwan, Stanley

TRIBUTES

IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF...

Kendall

Robert

John

Departed

Adams by Kathryn H. Adams

Russell "RJay" Carey by Lyon Lodge No. 29 John Durward by Robert Ladarre Robert G. England by Lyon Lodge No. 29

Raymond E. Godfrey by Lyon Lodge No. 29

Jim Godier by Carol Livie Tomey R. Greer by Carol Livie Kent Scott McArthur by Lyon Lodge No. 29

Elio A. Poletti by Douglas Poletti

M. Richmond by Patricia Bresler Buchan Leland Sams by Loveland Funeral Chapel

Carolyn Schamer Hale by Frank L. Hale

H. Smith by Judith Smith-Zimin Robert A. Welzbacker by Lyon Lodge No. 29

members by Washington No. 46

OREGON

MASONIC CHARITIES

This impact report is issued and completely funded by The Grand Lodge of Oregon. No donations or charitable funds were used in its development to ensure all gifts go toward the efforts they were designated to support. Thank you.

DESIGNER | Marissa Douglas