January/February 2009 The North Carolina Mason Page 7
MiLepoSTS
Senior MomenTS
Charity Report
By Mark Kolada
Administrator
WhiteStone
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has
been the reward for what he gave" — Calvin Coolidge
is past year will be remembered as time of significant change
in which America was confronted with difficult challenges on
many fronts: continued conflict overseas, the economy slipping
into recession causing many to lose their jobs and homes, and
the declining stock market depleting many people's hard earned
savings and investments. However here at WhiteStone the one
thing that has not changed amidst this trying time has been the
continued generosity and support of its fraternal members for
this historic retirement community. All of the sisters and broth-
ers throughout the state should be proud that although they may
have had to dig a little deeper in their pockets, and sacrifice a little
more, time and time again, lodges, chapters, and individuals found
it in their hearts to contribute monetary donations, material gifts,
or volunteer to our worthy cause to assist those in need.
Over the next month, each of the Masonic lodges will be re-
ceiving a detailed copy of 2008 WhiteStone Charity report. Be-
low is a brief summary of the report's preliminary findings.
In 2008, WhiteStone received over $2 million in donations
from several different Masonic and Eastern Star funding sources.
is amount represents an increase of over $700,000 with all of the
increase coming from two major estate distributions. Although we
recognize that we cannot rely on major wills and estates each year,
it has become evident that we can continue to put faith in our fra-
ternities to continue to generously support of this community. Blue
lodges contributed $379,862 up from 2007's $372,498. e Ma-
sonic Foundation contributed $139,147, Grand Lodge $16,865,
and other Masonic bodies $1,525, for a total of $537,399.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the following lodges
for exceeding $10,000 in annual contributions: Bula 409, Temple
676, Semper Fidelis 680, and Cary 198; and the following lodges
for exceeding $5,000: William T. Bain 231, Kilwinning 64, Gate
City 694, Long Creek 205, Mint Hill 742, Hiram 40, West Gate
738, Andrew Jackson 576, Fellowship 687, Clemmons 755, Allen
Graham 695, Millbrook 97, Casar 579, and Catawba Valley 217.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank the following who
exceeded the annual $25 per member goal for 2008 (the lodges in
bold met this goal in 2007 as well): William T. Bain 231, Temple
676, Raleigh 500, Clemmons 755, Bula 409, Semper Fidelis 680,
Selma 320, Kilwinning 64, Fellowship 687, Mill Creek 125, Cary
198, Vandora 745, Casar 579, Garner 701, Green Level 277, Je-
rusalem 95, Henry F. Grainger 412, Millbrook 97, Mingo 206,
Ararat 558, Archer 165, Long Creek 205, James B. Green 735,
Wilson 712, Creedmoor 499, Statesville 27, Person 113, Hiram
40, John H. Mills 624, and Andrew Jackson 576.
Where do all the contributions go? One hundred percent of the
money raised goes directly to subsidize the approximately 68 frater-
nal members (41 of which were sponsored by a Masonic lodge, 27
sponsored by an Eastern Star chapter) who cannot afford to pay the
total cost of their care. e estimated cost for these fraternal members
approximately $1.3 million; this is above and beyond what these resi-
dents pay out of pocket or through Federal or State funding sources.
On behalf of the residents, staff and families of WhiteStone,
once again, thank you for all the hard work and dedication all of
the lodges and chapters do throughout the year to benefit the
community. As always, if you have any questions or need more in-
formation about the home, feel free to call me at (336) 547-2992
or email me at .
BISCOE — On November 1, Biscoe 437 held its
Annual Ladies' and Awards Night. Biscoe Lodge mem-
bers John F. Allen, left, and John C. Munn, right, re-
ceived their Veteran's Emblems for 50 years Masonic
membership. — Carl W. Brown
GREENSBORO — DeMolay Chevaliers joined together for dinner in Greensboro on November 1. It was one of several observances
that took place across the state. Pictured in the front row are 50-year members (from left) Wayne Willard, Edd Little, Buddy Nance, and
Percy Sudsbury. In the back are Chuck Rouse, Tony Glidewell, Allan Spain Jr., Matt Hunt, Fritz Falkson, and Frank Silber. — Frank Silber
ROBBINSVILLE — On November 11, James Kelly Hooper was recog-
nized for his 58 years as a certified lecturer. First certified March 14, 1950,
the Robbinsville 672 Mason has the longest tenure in the history of the cer-
tified lecture program. Hooper is a four-time district deputy grand lecturer
and four-time past master of his lodge. Front, from left, are DDGL Jack Long,
Hooper, Board of Custodians Secretary Mack Sigmon, and DDGM Jim Hyde.
— Mack Sigmon
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — One hundred
residents of Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community were
on hand November 13 to see fellow resident Tom Mann, right,
get his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years Masonic member-
ship. Mann is a member of Phalanx 31 in Charlotte. Mann's pin
and certificate were presented for our Grand Lodge by South
Carolina District Deputy Grand Master Herman Resch, left.
Resch was accompanied by eleven Masons who are Mann's
fellow residents. — Kimberly Farfone
CASAR — On November 23, several members of Casar 579
traveled to Haven in the Hills retirement community to present
J. T. McNeilly his Veterans Emblem for 50 years Masonic member-
ship. Casar Master Eric Newton made the presentation. Seen,
from left, are McNeilly's grandson Kevin McNeilly, McNeilly, and
his son Boyd McNeilly, all Masons. — Eric Newton
MOUNT GILEAD — Blackmer 127's Ivey Bernard "I. B."
Shive, right, recently received his Veterans Emblem for 50 years
lodge membership. Shive was the principal of Mount Gilead High
School for many years and saw many members of the lodge
through their years in school. Don Thompson, left, presented
him the Award. — Larry Thompson
MOUNT HOLLY — The Ham family has been active in the
Masonic lodge for three generations. On October 6, Mount
Holly 544 raised another member of the family, Jeffery Ham. Not
surprisingly, relatives were on hand for the festivities and took
up several of the officer stations. Seen here, from left, are Todd
Ham (father), Jeffery Ham (newest Mason in the family), Joe Ham
(grandfather), Brad Ham (uncle), Joey Ham (older brother), and
Chris Ham (cousin). — Ray Willard
NEWPORT – It was just in July of 2008 that Ashton Pittman,
left, was raised in Newport 706. He must have provided a good
role model around the house. On November 17, Ashton raised his
father, Clyde Pittman, right, in the same lodge. — Wray Thomas
WASHINGTON — Just a year after he became a Mason
himself, David Rowe Jr., left, raised his father, David Rowe, to a
Master Mason November 17. Thirty-five were on hand for the
third degree at Washington 675. — John Riffert
Masters Lodge features
bakeless bake sale
RALEIGH — Adrian Hatfield, senior warden of Masters
754, recently introduced his lodge to a new variation on an old
fundraiser — the Bakeless Bake Sale. Here's how he explained
that to his lodge.
"So what is a bakeless bake sale? You are invited to NOT bake
a cake, pie, cookies, or brownies. You do NOT have to find the
recipe. You do NOT have to shop for the ingredients. You do
NOT have to mix. You do NOT have to cook. You do NOT have
to cut. You do NOT have to wrap. You do NOT have to wash
dishes. You do NOT have to clean up your kitchen. Simply pro-
vide a check to Masters Lodge for whatever amount you would
expect to pay for cookies, a cake, or a pie. Your donation will then
be divided between the Masonic charities.
"You can expect to receive a letter soon, explaining the bakeless
bake sale and your "roll" in "raising dough" for our Masonic Chari-
ties. You can rest assured; all this "bread" will be put to good use!"
e bakeless, and we might add fat-f ree/no-calorie, event
brought our charities more than $1,000 in less than a month
of not baking. — The Trowel
