Thinking back to your childhood, Christmas time was always a special time of the year. However for some familys all the holiday season brings is disappointment as loving parents have to explain to their children why Santa Claus didn't visit their house again this year.
The Brethren of Maiden #592 decided to change this by intiating a Secret Santa Program in 1998. In 1998 the lodge sponsored a Maiden family's Christmas and the response was so big that in 1999 we sponsored two local families. We supplyed the families a special Christmas to remember by purchasing gifts, clothes and filling up their shelves with plenty of food to start off the New Year.
On behalf of the lodge we would like to give a special thank you to all the brethren, both members of 592 and brethren of other lodges, who showed their generosity towards this project by helping us raise over $800.00 in 1998 and $1,000 dollars in 1999. We had brothers assisting that haven't been active in the lodge in years! We would also like to thank the members of the 1st United Methodist Church of Maiden Youth Fellowship, for assisting with wrapping and delivering the presents. Their involvement made this truly a community project. This extrodinary act of kindness would not have been possible without the efforts of every brother! Here is an excerpt from a card that was sent by the 1998 family to the lodge the day after Christmas -"Thank you so much for everything all of you have done for us. We appreciate all the thoughfulness and hard work you all put into makeing this a very special Christmas for us. We can never say thank you enough for all you have done. May God bless each and every one of you as he has blessed us by sending you into our lives. Thank you again!"
Brethren, knowing that this family had a wonderful Christmas due to the efforts of fellow Brothers is truly Masonry at work.
Thanks to the success of this project, we plan on continuing to make this an annual event here at Maiden. We are already looking forward to next year in hopes that we can help more families here in the Maiden community. If you would like more information on how your lodge could intiate a Secret Santa Program or you would like to assist Maiden Lodge with their project e-mail the lodge from the index page.Fraternally,
Brother Jody Stouffer
Brother Jack Lutz, PM
Secret Santa Project Chairmen
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