Masonry (Freemasonry) is the oldest and one of the largest fraternities in the world, and encourages good citizenship and political expression, but is not a political or religious organization. Masonry teaches that each person has a responsibility to make things better in the world. Most individuals will not be the ones to find a cure for cancer, or eliminate poverty, or help create world peace. Y
et, every man, woman, and child is capable of doing something to help others, or to make things a little better. Masonry is deeply involved with helping people -- it contributes millions of dollars every day in the United States alone, just to make life a little easier. Some of the Masonic charities are vast projects, like the Children's Hospitals and Burn Institutes built by the Shriners. The Scottish Rite Masons maintain two Children's Hospitals, one in Atlanta, Georgia, and one in Dallas, Texas, as well as a nationwide network of over 100 Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs. Some services are less noticeable, like helping a widow pay her electric bill or buying coats and shoes for disadvantaged children. The community services provided by Masons fall into a wide range of activities. With projects large or small, Masons and their Lodges try to help make the world a better place in which to live. The Lodge gives them a way to combine with others to perform and provide even more good.
