As we entered the New Year we would all have wished our loved ones, relations and friends a Peaceful, Prosperous and Healthy New Year. However, the wisest of us knows not what is 'round the corner'. When the unexpected happens some of us will have the ability to cope. Others, less fortunate, will not. Some are aware of our Masonic charities and how they can help in times of need. Equally a large number of our Brethren and their dependents do not.
You might ask why? Is it because the don't they know how to access it or think they qualify? Are they reticent or too proud to approach a Lodge member directly? That is why our Province is launching this service that is both unique and special and is called
Freemasonry Cares is a joint initiative involving the four central Masonic Charities and is a gateway to the help that they can provide. It aims to increase awareness of that help and to make it easier to access via the establishment of a national Freephone number; a new website and possible email contact.We all hope we will never face financial hardship or major health problems; need help supporting our children or require extra care in our old age. In reality thousands of people every year need a little extra assistance. We, as Freemasons, are fortunate to have that support to hand. The newly launched Freemasonry Cares service is there to make sure Freemasons and their dependents, who need that support, get it.
Rather than expect a potential applicant to remember and understand there are four Masonic Charities offering many different types of help, the message now focuses on themes.
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These themes are contained within the Passport to Help – a pack designed to look so special it can not be easily discarded. Passport to Help encourages individuals to ask
If the answer to each of the questions is Yes, the individual should immediately contact the Lodge Almoner or Freemasonry Cares. |
This initiative provides a unique opportunity to make sure those who perhaps in the past have not been well-versed in our Masonic charities (especially wives, partners and widows of masons) are brought up to date on the Masonic help available to them.
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The Provincial Grand Almoner, WBro John Partridge PAGDC commented, "I have always recognised the difficulty in reaching those who are outside our direct lines of communication. In particular those Brethren who resign from our Lodges, for whatever reason, and subsequently lose contact with us - those Brethren will probably have wives and partners. If they could take something with them that gives a simple point of contact for future reference then at least some link has been retained. This Province wants to establish that link by using the Freemasonry Cares initiative. This may not necessarily immediately re-establish links but some detective work by individual Lodges may help. However, if we are successful with the Freemasonry Cares initiative, coupled with diligence in keeping membership details up to date, then such problems as 'whereabouts unknown' will be a thing of the past. Freemasonry Cares has the full backing of our Provincial Grand Master and his Executive. Its success relies on the information explaining Freemasonry Cares being spread. That is down to each and every one of us." |
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Freemasonry Cares does not replace the Lodge Almoner. On the contrary, it will supplement his work. If the message reaches areas it has not reached before then it is highly possible his workload might increase. In view of this, this Province has made the Lodge Almoner the key link in the distribution of the Passport to Help packs. He will personally present them to all the Brethren and widows associated with his Lodge. Please support him in his onerous and important task. Please listen to him. When you receive your Passport to Help, please look at it. Share it with your partner and then keep it safe. You never know when you might need it. |
