The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2021 The North Carolina Mason Page 7 THOMPSON, from page 5 Teen buys, paints bags for MHCO kids Inspired by her mom, 16-year- old Nyjah Turner raised the money to buy duffel bags for kids at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford – then hand-painted them for each recipient. She says her mom knows that foster kids often carry their belongings in a trash bag, and has always told her how important it is to show children that they matter. So the junior at Cleveland High School in Clayton decided to take the MHCO kids on as a project this year. She does something like this every year as a way to give back. is year, she raised more than $600 through Together We Rise, a non-profit that helps foster children. at was enough money buy 20 duffels and stuff each with a blanket, teddy bear, coloring book and crayons. With the help of her family, she decorated each one with a unique picture. "My hope is that the children receiving the bags will feel special and know that they are valued and loved no matter their circum- stances," Nyjah says. GREENSBORO – "The craftsmen have performed their duty." Grand Lodge Officers and other brethren, led by Grand Master R. David Wicker Jr., con- ducted a Cornerstone Ceremony on Nov. 12 at the Care & Wellness Center at WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community. The stone, which carries Past Grand Master Shaun Bradshaw's name in honor of his year of leadership, will anchor the new facility which will be finished in late 2022. The stone also honors Louise Taylor, Worthy Grand Matron, Order of the Eastern Star. During the ceremony, brethren certify the stone is plumb, level and square and present corn, wine and oil as emblems of plenty, joy and peace. The expansion at Whit- eStone is a labor of love for Masons around the state, honoring brothers and sisters who have stayed there with charitable help from the Craft, and lived out happy lives in safety. About 150 people gathered for the ceremony, honoring the ongoing work to expand our home in Greensboro. Saturday's ceremony came one day shy of the 22nd anniversary of the original dedication of the building. Interested in giving to the Campaign for WhiteStone? https://mfnc.org/our-charities/campaign-for-whitestone OXFORD – The staff of the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford was truly "in the pink" in October as part of Breast Cancer Aware- ness Month. MHCO staff honored the women on who have bravely fought this deadly disease. Learn more about pre- vention or how you can help at breastcancer.org. addition to being visible at community events, consider sponsoring a youth sports team or band, hosting a blood drive, volunteering with the Habitat for Humanity or Meals on Wheels. ere are numerous ways to become involved and that pays dividends in the long run! Brethren, we have a wonderful opportunity before us to re-engage our members, strengthen our fraternal ties, experience positive growth, and become relevant once again in our commu- nities. With a little work, we will enjoy all of these things and more … a Masonic revival, if you will! Closing moment Newly installed Grand Lodge officers bring the ceremony to an end with the Closing Charge.

• Cover