Archive for January, 2011
Conspiracy theorists love to hate Freemasonry because they allegedly run the world. In actuality, Freemasons are ordinary working men who have a strong commitment to their communities. Active lodges raise lots of money for charities and perform community service. My grandfather was recently honored by his lodge for his lifetime commitment to service.
My grandfather worked hard in the family clothing store for most of his adult life, but always made time for community service. He organized clothing and food drives, volunteered at shelters, and helped raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children. When he retired he spent his days volunteering with special needs kids in the local public schools. As a gift, I bought him a yellow-gold Masonic pendant to wear on his suit at the dinner in his honor. I only hope that I can live up to the example he has set.
The Shriners are an appendant body to Freemasonry and are best known for the red fezzes they wear and their hospitals. The Shriners Hospitals for Children treat children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate in a family-centered environment. Patients are accepted regardless of the parents’ ability to pay. There are currently 22 non-profit Shriners hospitals across North America.
The first Shriners hospital was opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana and provided pediatric orthopedic care. At first, the hospitals were intended to help children coping with polio, but as the disease became controlled the hospitals branched out into other specialties. Being a part of this rich heritage of philanthropic work on behalf of children is something to be commemorated. Shrine rings, emblazoned with the Shriners emblem and motto, are the perfect thank you gift for members of the organization.