The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2017

North Carolina Mason

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The Mason Official Publication of e Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina Volume 142 Number 3 Oxford, North Carolina May/June 2017 NORTH CAROLINA ■ see OUTREACH page 3 By Beth Grace e Mason Editor Growing old is not easy. It brings new joys and new problems. With the wisdom of years comes worries and questions you didn't even know you had to ask. But you're not alone. A new program designed by Free- masons and Eastern Star members for senior Freemasons and Eastern Star members is about to launch in North Carolina. Starting July 1, the Masonic and Eastern Star Outreach Program of North Carolina will begin working with brothers and sisters age 65 and older who want to stay in their own homes but need a little help finding resources, short-and long-term financial aid, and a strong shoulder to lean on. e program is open only to fraternal members in good standing, and their families. e program is funded by the NC Masonic and Eastern Star Home Foundation LLC, which also assists with funding fraternal charity at Whit- eStone, our Masonic and Eastern Star community in Greens- boro. e Outreach program will be administered from the WhiteStone administrative offices by Executive Director Mark Kolada, newly hired Outreach Director Crystal Carter, and overseen by the five-member MESH Foundation LLC board. "We're changing the conversa- tion," says Kolada. "Not everyone who is aging wants to move to a retirement community when they need help. So many people are able to stay in their own home but may need a little help from time to time to get over a rough patch. at's what we're here to do: Help brothers and sisters who just need a hand." How can the program help? It depends on the needs each person brings to the table. Each client will fill out an application and outline their needs, Outreach Director Crystal Carter said. From there, assistance will be tailored to each need. "We will get the whole picture of what their lives look like, then sit down and do a holistic assessment of their needs together," she said. Carter will go for a home visit as needed, but otherwise will talk with applicants by phone and work with them to fill immediate needs and get them help right where they are. Answering signs of distress Outreach service for aging brothers, Eastern Star sisters debuts in July Is our Grand Master kicking the bucket? Nobody drops dead from giving to our charities. Here's proof. GM Gene Cobb is surrounded by helpers just in case as he drops a $20 into the bucket at a recent dis- trict meeting. If you didn't get the chance to join in the giving, all is not lost! Take a look at Page 5. Mark your calendars Set aside the weekend of Oct. 13-15 for a trip to Oxford. That's the date for the an- nual homecoming festivites at the Masonic Home for Children and Youth. Get more details on the event on Page 3 "We're changing the conversation." Mark Kolada WhiteStone Executive Director Michael Harding photo

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