Dover-Sherborn Press
December 23rd, 2004
Dover kids receive gifts from the Masons
This holiday season, the Masons of
Massachusetts are assisting critical- and urgent-need children and
families of deployed military personnel in Dover. Through the Masonic
Angel Fund, which provides basic necessities to schoolchildren in need,
the Masons have teamed up with the USO New England Council to provide
holiday toys, clothing, games and gifts for several local children.
USO New England Executive Director
Alice Harkins recently received thousands of dollars from the Masons to
assist dozens of these children in an effort to give them a happy
holiday. Harkins used the donations and funding to purchase as many
toys, dolls, games, books, clothing, sports equipment and other gifts as
possible through clearance sales, discounts and the cooperation of local
merchants for the benefit of the children.
"These children and families face
significant hardship, both financially and emotionally, during the
holidays," said Harkins. "The Masons are constant supporters of the USO,
and we truly appreciate their generosity as they provide the best of
holiday experiences for children suffering as a parent is deployed. By
providing these gifts, the Masons are bringing smiles to dozens of
military families statewide."
The Masonic Angel Fund, a program of
the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, was founded in 1998 by John
Alden Sherman and Robert W. Fellows, two members of Universal Lodge A.F.
& A.M. in Orleans. It has spread to 90 lodges in 10 states. One of the
fundamental principles of the MAF is that 100 percent of the money
raised remains in that community and every penny goes to children.