What started in January 2008 as a way for Pennsylvania Freemasons to show their support for the U.S. military by contributing their pocket change during monthly membership meetings has to date totaled over $1 million – $1,000,596.83 to be exact. These donations provide:
- Calling cards for Pennsylvania soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq and to injured soldiers in hospitals
- Financial support for baby showers for military mothers-to-be hosted in conjunction with the March of Dimes, providing many of the supplies needed for a newborn’s first year of life
- Telemedicine equipment for troops’ children between Dover Air Force Base and Jefferson University Hospital
- A day at Great Adventure amusement park for children of deployed soldiers
- Support for Wreaths Across America and Moms for Marines
- Christmas parties for troops’ families and for their children with special needs
- Projects at The Veterans Group home
- Child day care for children of deployed soldiers
- Support for Project HERO at Horsham, which provides adaptive bikes for soldiers with injuries or disabilities
- Mentors for Veterans Courts
- Household repairs for military families
- Financial assistance for military members facing costly medical bills
In addition to donations collected at lodge meetings, “Help for Our Heroes” collection containers are placed at each of the five Masonic Villages of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, not-for-profit senior retirement communities. Some lodges, lodge members and their spouses have even launched their own fundraisers in their local communities.
Originally named the “Change for the Troops” program by Stephen Gardner, a Navy veteran who started the program when he was Grand Master of Pennsylvania Masons, the initiative primarily supports units and individuals from Pennsylvania. As the purpose of the program broadened from purchasing calling cards to helping military members and veterans in various other ways, its name evolved to “Help for Our Heroes.”
“This is a meaningful way for our members to say ‘thank you’ to those heroes willing to put their lives on the line for our freedom every day,” Grand Master Raymond T. Dietz said. Anyone who wishes to make contributions toward the “Help for Our Heroes” program may contact the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at 215-988-1957.
Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternal organization in the world, based on the cardinal virtues of brotherly love, charity and truth. Its roots can be traced back hundreds of years in Europe. Today, there are 103,000 members statewide, 1.2 million members nationally and more than 3.6 million members worldwide. For more information, visit www.pamasons.org.