The rituals of Freemasonry carry deep significance for each of us. For hundreds of years, our brethren practiced the tenet of Relief as their "grand aim", and to quietly relieve the distress of "poor Master Masons, their widows and orphans". While many years separate us from the times of Paul Revere and Joseph Warren, our commitment to serving others remains as strong now as it did then as we reach into our communities to lend a hand to those in need.

The Mystic Valley Lodge Masonic Angel Fund gives a sense of purpose to our brotherhood. Through this fund, we have begun to make specific differences in the lives of Arlington, Medford and Somerville children. This past winter found us helping children in need of warm clothing. We responded to a call for help and provided a campership so a fifth grade student could join classmates at the annual winter camping experience in Rhode Island.

Thank you from the principal of the E. Somerville Community School..."thank you for your generous donation this holiday season. We were able to service 46 children/17 families. These families did not have the financial means to provide a Christmas for their children. Our counselor spoke with the most needy families to find out what their children needed, shopped for the items on his personal time, wrapped and coordinated the distribution of the gifts. This was a way to help these families have some enjoyment of the holidays. We could not have done this without your help... I have always believed in the saying that 'What goes around, comes around' so I know that many positive things will befall your organization."
As his principal wrote in a thank you letter, "the children all had a great time in study groups and during activity periods. The whole week was like a Norman Rockwell winter scene." We have helped provide school programming for an elementary student who is being raised by an elderly grandparent. And we helped two high school girls attend their prom!

We are making an impact one child at a time. Our initial commitment of funds has been strengthened by gifts from individual brethren of Mystic Valley Lodge, from supportive people in the community and from other lodges that have made matching gifts.

"This contribution is helping a young woman with driver's education classes. She is from a single-parent family trying to make things work. The mother just has word of a new job lead! She hopes this will help her provide even better for her four children. And hopefully helping this young woman with a competency like driving will help her feel better about herself. Thanks so much for your help and your quick response with this request. You never know what piece of help makes a difference for these kids."
Since 1733, American Freemasons have provided benevolent assistance to their neighbors. The Mystic Valley Lodge Masonic Angel Fund is a natural evolution of our centuries-old commitment to serving our fellow man.

For more information about the Masonic Angel Fund, visit the web site of the Masonic Angel Foundation,
www.masonicangelfund.org