Masonic Life Network

The Inland Empire Public Schools Advisory Council (IEPSAC) in Division 8, presented a program to kickoff Public Schools Month in California, at San Jacinto Elementary School, in San Jacinto, California. The members of the IEPSAC are:  Manny Blanco, Chair from Evergreen Lodge #259, Eric Bordner, San Bernardino Lodge #178, Dennis Brandt, Temescal Palms Lodge #314, Randy Freeman, San Diego Lodge #35, Jim Ridley, San Jacinto Lodge #338, Mike Sekera, Temecula Catalina Island Lodge No. 524 and Lee Whelan, Riverside Lodge #635.

Many school officials, students, parents and members of our Masonic family were in attendance. Some of those that represented our Division were, Frank Lee AGL of Division 8, Russ Baldauf Inspector of District #826, John Channon Inspector of District #822, Aaron Faibanks Master of Hemet Lodge #615, Luther Woods Master of Palm Springs Lodge #693 and the IEPSAC committee members. Candler Gibson, from the Grand Lodge Philanthropy office and Russell E. Charvonia, Junior Grand Warden who spoke on behalf of the Grand Lodge of California.  Jessica Leon, Past Worthy Advisor from Foothills of Heaven Assembly, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls was in attendance from our youth groups.

Many of the visitors that were present were treated to tours of the school’s new library and the campus, which were lead by pairs of 5^th grade students.  During the program Russ Charvonia introduced three students from our Division, that will be receiving Investment in Success Scholarship, that are four year scholarships that are for $7,000.00 each.  Students that received the scholarships were Jamie Back, San Jacinto High School, Celeste De Los Santos, Perris High School and Kristoffer LaMantain, La Sierra High School.   He also presented the principal with a larger than life check, in the amount of $66,000.00, which represented the monetary commitment Grand Lodge has for the Inland Empire in scholarships and funding “Raising A Reader” in fifteen classrooms.

Congratulations to the scholarship recipients and the IEPSAC committee for a tremendous experience at the school.  The Division sends its sincere thanks Candler Gibson and Russ Charvonia for representing Grand Lodge at this important event. This was a fantastic start of our partnership for “Raising A Reader” this year.

The Inland Empire Public Schools Advisory Council presented their Public Schools Month Kickoff on April 12, 2012 at San Jacinto Elementary School (SJE), in San Jacinto, CA.  The Masonic visitors were treated to tours around the school by students in the 5^th grade.  This included the schools new library, that was just dedicated in March of this year and a new computer lab that is used by the 1^st to 5^th graders on a weekly basis.  The program began with the Pledge of Allegiance being led by a Kindergarten student and “America the Beautiful” being sung by a 5^th grader.  Many school officials were present, including the principal of the school, Wendy Brown, the president of the board of education, John Norman, the school board superintendent Dr. Shari Fox and 3 other board members.

The Junior Grand Warden, Russell Charvonia, was on hand to make the presentations on behalf of the Grand Lodge of California.  The Grand Lodge presented three “Investment in Success Scholarships” to three local high school students.  These scholarships are renewable 4 year scholarships, with grants of $1,000.00 for the first two years and $2,500.00 for the third and fourth years.  He also explained the “Raising A Reader” program that will begin in September as SJE and showed the “Raising A Reader” red and blue bags, the DVD and some of the books that will be given to the children.  The last presentation was a larger than life check, for $66,000.00 to the San Jacinto Unified School District, which represents the Grand Lodge commitment to the schools in this district for the next year.

All of those in attendance, which also include many parents, members of Lodges in the Division and members of the youth groups, were treated to performances by the SJE kindergarten students. The morning concluded with refreshments on the library’s new outdoor reading patio.

Frank Lee – AGL Division 8

Operation Literacy Committee At Work

Dave Hall, P.M.

As the sun lowered in the west on the eve of last weekend, Div VIII committeemen sat at their laptops busily searching for photographs and icons that will convey the important message of our 2012 program Operation Literacy in partnering with the Grand Master’s project “Raising A Reader”.  As some searched, others worked on articulative narrations for their various tableaus.  Why?  What is so important to the Masons of Division VIII that many willingly sacrifice their personal time to prepare a program for the Grand Master’s project?

1% Improvement In Literacy Scores Increases Productivity

It has recently been documented that improvement in literacy scores demonstratively increases productivity.  The Grand Master’s Project “Raising A Reader” is worthwhile because it will help our underprivileged children make that quantum leap from their present futility to a successful future in life’s achievements.

Division8masons.com

Division VIII Masons have raised the bar every year in sponsoring programs that partner with the Grand Masters’ projects – all of them very worthwhile.  All Masons get involved because this is what Masons do!

Division VIII Masons want you and all Masons to join us in making Operation Literacy a success.  We are working hard but it will only be a success if you join us – boots, shoes, and saddle!  The real success is when our kids have the books and their mentors’ interest achieved in Raising A Reader.

After meeting with Joe Blanco, the CEO of American Charities Center.com I realized what a great program this is. Joe Explained that after being in business for several years, he determined what he needed to do to separate his charity service from the others. The result is that he will take ANYTHING as a donated vehicle. He then re-furbishes the vehicle and sells it for top dollar for the charitable purpose. In this case of course it is for our Grand Masters project, Raising-a Reader. Joe utilizes   e-commerce to sell the vehicles thus opening the world up for his marketing strategies. Yes, he sells the vehicles all over the world and can ship them anywhere.

What really surprised me was that he can take vehicles that are in running condition or not. And he will take any vehicle with or without a title. What a    win-win situation for everybody involved with his transactions.

It is really easy to donate a vehicle to American Charities center. All you have to do is make one phone call to Joe Blanco at toll free 888-322-4483. He has operators on duty 24 hrs a day seven days a week to make it easy for you to donate.

You can also donate at AmericaCharityCenter.com  or  RVDonations.org

So if you have a vehicle and want to help Raising-A-Reader please contact us.

Jim Ridley

(951) 329-8854

As everyone knows our project this year is Operation Literacy. I am VERY honored to be the chairman of Division 8 Operation Literacy program this year. When I first undertook this endeavor I did not realize the importance and urgency regarding illiteracy rate in the state of California. One of the great things that has happened is the fact that Division 8 can work hand in hand with the Grand Lodge Public Schools Advisory Council. Using both teams resources insures success of our project.

California ranks close to the bottom of all 50 states regarding literacy. That itself is scary enough, but with the economy being what it is and the State is still cutting school budgets, the kids need us Masons more than ever. We are partnering with a national group called "Raising-A-Reader". They have helped over 800,000 children through out the country and have a very good reputation for their system working well. The money we raise will go towards buying books to be circulated in kindergartners home every week. Also included in their "book bag" will include a DVD aimed at the parents or caregivers to teach the children how to read these books.

We will be announcing our program "Kick-off" soon. So please keep checking the web-site. And our big fund raising event is scheduled for June 20th. Stay tuned for more info on this exciting program.

Anyone that wants to help, either physically or financially,feel free  to contact me,

Jim Ridley

Chairman, Division 8 Operation Literacy

(951) 329-8854

bbcakessr@aol.com