Masonic Lodge supports Canton Elementary
Courtesy photo
Members of the Castillian Lodge donated filled backpacks to Canton Elementary School. Principal Kelly Lamar accepted the supplies. Making the delivery were Masons, from left, Michael Bowman (junior warden,) Josh Wintters (senior deacon,) Mac Walling (master) and Jeff Lawley (district deputy grand master.)
On Aug. 6, brothers of Castillian Lodge No. 141 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, partnered with the Canton Citizens National Bank and other anonymous donors to contribute 10 backpacks filled with school supplies for the Canton Elementary School.
Master of the Lodge Mac Walling presented the donation on behalf of the Brethren. Deanne Callan, Citizens National Bank Banking Center manager, presented the backpacks on behalf of the bank. Jeff Lawley (District Deputy Grand Master), Michael Bowman (Junior Warden) and Josh Wintters (Senior Deacon) were also present from the Lodge.
CES Principal Kelly Lamar accepted the supplies.
This is the third year of the Castillian Lodge “Back-a-Kid” program. The program began to meet a need in the Canton Elementary School, lodge officials said, because many children begin school without supplies and many transfer into the school in mid-semester.
Since the beginning of Freemasonry in Texas in 1837 and in Canton in 1854, Masons have been strong advocates of the public school system, Walling said.
The Castillian Lodge sponsors the “Children against Drugs” program in Canton schools and participates in the “Kid Fish” program at City Lake. Last year, the Brothers of Castillian Lodge presented three $1,000 scholarships to Canton High School seniors.
The Shriners and Scottish Rite organizations are comprised of Master Masons. The hospitals they sponsor are known world-wide for their quality of care and philanthropy.
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternity and its lessons of truth, relief and brotherly love are taught in the form of allegories and symbolism. By living their lives in such a manner, we believe our community, county, state and country is a better place in which to live. In 2005, there were 12,500 Lodges and about 1.7 million Masons in the United States. Combined, the branches of Masonry give over one million dollars to charity each day.
The Castillian Lodge will host an Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at the lodge, 1284 W. Dallas St. (Hwy. 64.)
