October Is Masonic Family Make a Difference Month!

Grand Master Charvonia has proclaimed October 2015 as Masonic Family Make a Difference Month and Oct. 3 as Make a Difference Day. Both are great occasions to partner with Masonic youth to make a difference in your local community.

Wondering how your lodge can give back? Here are some suggestions:

• If possible, focus on supporting public schools: Ask a local school how your lodge can get involved. Offer to tutor or read to students, renovate a playground, plant a garden, or another meaningful activity.

• Combine Make a Difference Day programming with Fire Prevention Weekby preparing ICE packs or teaching local students about fire safety

• Host a 5K walk/run to benefit a local cause

• Plan a neighborhood cleanup or preservation project

• Arrange a group volunteer day at a retirement home or hospital

• Organize volunteers for a meal-delivery service for elderly and ill residents

• Approach the local Boys & Girls Club, animal shelter, homeless shelter, or soup kitchen and ask how you can help

• Gather supplies for overseas troops, or help veterans in your community

• Collect used iPads or MP3 players for the Masonic Homes

No matter how you give back, banding together in support of community and Masonic youth helps build a sense of fraternity and fellowship – and reflects the Masonic tenets of brotherly love and relief. Read more about the benefits of volunteering in the June/July issue of California Freemason.

Have a great service project planned for your lodge? Share it with brothers around the world on the Masons of California Facebook page.

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Source: Masons of California