Masonic Life Network

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

On Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 12:00 Noon, the Orange County Masonic Officers Association presented their 10^th Annual Orange County Reception for the Grand Master of Masons in California.  This year they combined their reception with a fundraiser for the Grand Master’s project, “Raising A Reader”.   Many of those in attendance traveled their directly from the L.A. Service Bureau’s Breakfast in Los Angeles to the reception at the DeMolay Center in Anaheim.

The reception hall was nicely decorated, in a colorful school theme, using balloons tied to school books on each table.  The program included a silent auction, luncheon and musical entertainment by Clarence Urlich.  Charles Cross gave the acknowledgements with Doug Eichen, AGL of Division X doing the introductions and presenting the Grand Master. The Grand Master was presented with a very unique gavel.  It appears that the gavel floats above a section of the Golden Gate Bridge, which also included small cars crossing the bridge.  The gavel and bridge was designed and crafted by Worshipful Ed Roberts.

For the second time that day, the Jr. Grand Warden was serenaded by the room singing “Happy Birthday”.  All of those in attendance really enjoyed the afternoon.

The Los Angeles Masonic Service Bureau had their annual breakfast at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel on March 4, 2012.  The Masonic Service Bureau was formed for the primary purpose of properly relieving the distress of Masons, who are members of Lodges in other areas of the State or members of Lodges in others states, that may need assistant while residing or visiting in the area of the Service Bureau.  Additionally, they arrange for and conduct funerals for such Masons, visit sick sojourning Masons, operate a clearing house as to applicants for membership in local Lodges, make special investigations for Lodges when requested, and conduct other Masonic service activities that the Grand Lodge may direct in California.

This annual breakfast honored the Grand Master of Masons in California, The Most Worshipful Frank Loui. Congratulations to Michael Bear, A. Sherman Ostrom and, Jack McEnterfer AGL for Division 7 conducted an impressive program. Past Grand Master, R. Stephen Doan presented the Grand Master. There were many other Past Grand Masters also in attendance.  There appeared to be over 500 Masons present, with Temescal-Palms Lodge being well represented, having brought two potential candidates and enough Brothers to fill two tables.

The Grand Master gave an inspiring message about his project for the year, “Raising A Reader”.   We even had a little fun with everyone present singing “Happy Birthday” to the Junior Grand Warden, Russ Charvonia

Frank Lee, D8 Today, AGL Division 8

Evergreen Lodge had the opportunity to visit Pachappa Elementary School’s Open House on March 1st. The purpose of their visit was to present to the school a myriad of items and supplies. Among the items donated were; pencils, markers, pens, crayons, white boards, white board markers, and organizers desperately in short supply in this time of fiscal need.

Past master Drew Gilkey made a presentation retailing for about $10,000 on behalf of Evergreen Lodge and gave a short history regarding Masonry and its support of education over the years. Mrs. Kiersten Frausto, the principal of Pachappa, teachers, parents, and students all showed great appreciation and excitement.

The members of Evergreen are looking forward to repeating this act of service to our educational community for years to come and plans are already in place to support  Pachappa  Elementary again next year.

Gregory M. Covel

On February 29^th   six officers of our Lodge, and our Division’s Assistant Grand Lecturer, Frank Lee, participated in the program "Reading Across America", at Edwin Rhodes Elementary School in Chino. Those from Chino Valley Lodge were, Master-Manny Blanco, PM, Jr  Warden-John Cover Spear, PM, Secretary-Phillip Stekel, Sr Deacon-Jim Duran and Sr. Steward-Stanley Briones.

What a very proud and important day this was for our Lodge. We were very excited to participate in this important community event.  From 9:30 to 11:30 AM, each one of the participants went to their assigned rooms to read. Books were provided, or the "readers" could supply their own.  As we each introduced ourselves, we each, in our own way, described the importance of learning to read, both for the student and their families. We each read a story to the class and I found that the book I chose was the perfect book to read for my particular class. The students were so excited to meet us and have a story read to them.   And, from the look I saw on the teacher's face in the room I was in, she was very pleased as well. The students were well behaved and were very attentive to the story being read. The reaction in each room was one of thanks and happiness!

I believe that there were 20 to 25 “readers” who participated in this important program, and I felt really blessed to have had the opportunity to spend this important time with the children.  You could see the happiness in their faces; feel the goodness that emanated from their hearts, as they listened very intently to the readers. I do believe this inspirational and exciting program positively affected many lives.  The members of Chino Valley Lodge were very grateful to have participated in the “Reading Across America” program at the Edwin Rhodes Elementary School.

Submitted by: John Cover Spear, PM, Chino Valley Lodge, D8 Reporter