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Boats of Wood
Ornamental
Elegance
Masonic Angel Fund
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The
Masonic Angel Fund™ is the fastest-growing Masonic charity
anywhere. Founded in 1998 by the members of Universal Lodge A.F.
& A.M. in Orleans, Massachusetts, the "MAF" has spread to
145 Lodges in
12 states
since it first offered
sponsorship of affiliate Masonic Angel Funds in the summer of
2000. The Masonic Angel Fund™ is changing kids' lives -
one community at a time, one child at a time.
One of the fundamental principles of the Masonic Angel Fund™
program is that 100% of the money raised by a local Lodge's
Masonic Angel Fund™ stays in that community and goes to the
kids. All overhead of the local MAF is covered by the sponsoring
Lodge from its operating budget. There are few charity programs
anywhere that can make such a claim.
The Fund provides modest assistance to children in need who do
not fit the criteria for the usual social-service programs. Such
assistance might be to provide a pair of glasses, a coat, shoes,
field trip fees or minor health services. MAF benevolences can
cover almost any need that will enhance a child's learning
experience - some Masonic Angel Funds even provide scholarships
for music and fine arts instruction. Applications for assistance
will be fulfilled via confidential requests from local school
principals, counselors and school nurses.
| For example, if
the nurse discovers a child who needs a winter coat
she simply makes a request to the Trustees of the
Angel Fund who will issue a check to the principal
or nurse in an appropriate amount.
In cases where
professional services are required (i.e. medical,
dental, optical…etc.) the local MAF works with the
school to make available our numerous sources for
services of this nature. Some of our Masonic
Brothers are health care professionals, so there is
an excellent chance we may be able to arrange the
donation of products or services.
A cornerstone of
the Masonic Angel Fund™ program is the close
relationship that develops between the Billerica
school system and Thomas Talbot Lodge. Because MAF
standards require that all screening of requests be
performed by the school's professional staff, the
Masons are cast in a purely supportive role rather
than in one that requires them to screen and qualify
every application. This means that those who operate
the local Fund can respond very quickly once they
are contacted by the school. This quick response
contrasts strongly with many "institutional" relief
services where days or weeks can elapse between the
time of a request and an answer being received. Our
ability to serve the school professionals in a
rapid, efficient manner underscores the image of
Masons as the "can do" people in the community. |
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