…presented at St. John's Lodge No. 35, Cayuga, October 1, 2009.

It is my intention to carry a theme of "MAKING A DIFFERENCE" Throughout this Masonic year in Brant District . This evening I would like to take a look back at what Masonry has done to make a difference.

I believe that one of the most prominent areas that Masons have made a difference is through Charity and Benevolence, so I will proceed to give somewhat of a history lesson.

All over the world Freemasons have been providing assistance for those less fortunate than themselves for over 300 years. In England in 1686, a local historian of Wiltshire stated that whenever a Freemason falls into financial difficulty, "the brother hood is to relieve him".

In Ireland in 1688, we have a report from Dublin that the members of the fraternity of Freemasonry presented a "well stuffed" purse of charity to a destitute brother. In 1724 the Premier Grand Lodge in London decided that every Lodge should take up a monthly collection for a general charity fund to assist poor brethren.

In 1733, in Massachusetts , the by laws of the first Lodge in Boston specified that each member was to pay at least 2 shillings per quarter for the relief of brethren who had fallen on evil times.

In 1781 , in Nova Scotia , the Masters of the 3 Lodges in Halifax were directed to act as a charity committee to assist Masons who had escaped from the American Revolution. In Upper Canada in 1797 a Lodge set up a fund to help Freemasons widows and to educate the orphans and the children of poor brethren

The Grand Lodge of Canada was founded in 1855 and almost from the beginning there is evidence of traditional Masonic Charity. In 1863 a benevolent fund was established, intended to provide assistance primarily for Masons who were in need and to their families.

In 1867, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, M.W. Bro William Mercer Wilson, reported that he had received an appeal on behalf of the widows and orphans of the State of Georgia , who were in dire straits after the American Civil War, but that Grand Lodge had no funds to help. That was the last time an appeal was made in vain. From then on, help was provided where necessary, in such situations as the Franco-Prussian War, $250.00 in 1871, Chicago Fire in 1872, $2000.00, the Louisiana Floods in 1874, $200. In 1915, $45,000.00 was transferred to the King of the Belgians, for him to use among his distressed subjects.

In 1917, to meet the increasing demands, it was decided that every Mason would pay $1.00 each year to Grand Lodge, of which 80 cents was to be used for benevolent purposes alone.

In the Second World War during 1944-1946, the Masons of Ontario sent more than $251,000.00 to England and Scotland , primarily to relieve the suffering caused by bombing and in 1948-1951, nearly $254,000.00 was collected for food parcels for Britain .

In 1943 the Grand Master sent $2500.00 to the Canadian Red Cross as well as a $1000.00 each to the Chinese Relief Fund, the Greek Relief Fund and the Canadian Aid to Russia Fund.

In 1934, at the height of the Great Depression, the committee considered 867 applications for assistance from needy and distressed Masons and their dependants, paying out $122,146.75. At least as much again was paid out in grants by the individual constituent lodges. From time to time, as opportunity has arisen, Freemasons have directed their assistance to non-masons as well.

The Masonic Foundation, founded in 1964, is a Public Foundation registered with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, to provide the means for using the Craft's financial resources for the benefit of the community at large.

Since the Foundations inception, a number of guidelines have been adhered to:

• all assistance must be used in the Province of Ontario
• children and young people are to receive primary consideration
• individuals or small groups who have no access to other support, may be given assistance in emergency situations
• funds must be used in support of a specific person, activity or project
• funds from this source are not to be used to support either capital building projects or operating/administrative requirements of established charitable organizations.

A young lady from Greely, Ontario, who became a paraplegic as a result of a drunk driver accident was assisted in obtaining a new wheelchair in the amount of $1,000.00 A couple from London, Ontario, received assistance to purchase a small portable output device and a co-writer and small speaker, cost $1,312.00

The objectives of the Masonic Foundation set out its charitable nature:

• to receive, maintain, control and use donations exclusively for charitable purpose in Ontario
• to use its donations for the relief of poverty, the advancement of the education and the advancement of other purposes beneficial to the community
• to fund bursaries, hearing research, drug and substance abuse education in the school systems and other specific community projects that fall within its guidelines.

Funding is provided primarily from 3 sources:

1. investment income earned on capital
2. personal contributions from Masons and friends of the Foundation
3. bequests from the estates of individuals who made provision in their estate planning.

The Masonic Foundation has a strong interest in helping the youth of Ontario to become the best that they can be. Several programs are aimed at the youth who require assistance to cope with financial stress or affliction or combating peer pressure to experiment with drugs or alcohol. Other support goes to groups of youth who do not face similar trials in life but whom, by their interest in mankind, will be in the forefront in making the world better for future generations.

It's Charitable Programs encompass Bursaries, Hearing Research, Voice for Hearing Impaired Children, Kerry's Place, dealing with Autism, Help Nip Drugs in the Bud, youth programs such as Scouts Canada, 4H, Girl Guides and Demolay along with District and Lodge Projects.

There are various ways to financially support the Foundation:

Personal donations to the Foundation Office in the form of cheques or charged to your Visa or Mastercard- the Yellow Envelopes are available for forwarding your donations.

Memorial donations to remember the passing of a loved one or colleague-the grey Memorial envelope is available for this purpose.

Including the Masonic Foundation in the planning of your estate by: including the Foundation in your will, naming the foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, gifting assets such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds or term deposits, or willing residual funds from a RRIF to the Foundation.

Investment income for 2008-2009 was $395,086.00. The unrestricted net assets at March 31, 2009 rose, quite dramatically, to $10,636,675.00, an overall increase of 30%, which can be accounted for by bequests received from 9 estates of over 2.5 million during the year. Of note, this is the first time the Masonic Foundation capital base has exceeded 10 million.

Yellow envelopes, mailed with the Ontario Mason Magazine, resulted in donations of $32,140.00, while other member and Lodge contributions totalled $23,600.00

Grey Memorial Envelopes used to make donations in memory of departed brethren raised $10,875.00

During 2008-2009, the total disbursed for bursaries and donations was $829,649.00, which included $425,038.00 on District projects.

The Bursary Program, our first charitable outreach initiative, has responded to emergency assistance to 58 students for $55,800.00

Masonic Bursaries are awarded to assist students enrolled full time in a program of studies at an Ontario College or University recognized by the Foundation, who have encountered an unexpected financial emergency during the final term of a 2 or 3 year program or the 3rd or 4th year of a 4 year program. Applicants must have exhausted all other sources of income and financial support and may be unable to complete their program and forced to leave before graduation.

Applicants must be a Canadian citizen and a permanent resident of Ontario . Students enrolled in M.A. and PH.D. Graduate or LLB programs are not eligible for funding. Applications must be endorsed by and submitted through the Awards Officer of the College or University.

Bursary Funding Statistics for April 1, 2008- March 31, 2009: received 83, denied 25, awarded 58. 14 were awarded @$800.00 totalling $11,200.00, 35 @ $1,000.00, another $35,000.00 and 8 @ $1,200.00 totalling $9,600.00 for a grand total of $55,800.00.

Brethren, this is an example of your donations at work, helping to create well-rounded, academically proficient citizens to undertake the increasing challenges of the future.

The commitment in support of hearing research under Help-2-Hear was maintained for an eighth consecutive year through contributions of $35,000.00 each to the Universities of Ottawa, Western Ontario and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto .

I would be remiss if I didn't touch on the Foundations involvement with Prostrate Cancer, our Past Grand Masters Charity of choice.

In 2009, 11,200 men will be diagnosed with Prostrate cancer. This represents almost half of the 25,000 case that will be diagnosed across Canada . During their lifetime 1 in 6 Canadian men will be diagnosed with the disease and it is expected to rise to 1 in 4 within a decade.

One of the biggest challenges facing Prostrate Cancer Canada is the dissemination of clear and concise information about Prostrate Cancer.

The Masonic Foundation has stepped in with a donation of $120,000.00 in 2009 which will help develop a Prostrate Cancer Canada Public Education Program, a comprehensive overview of the disease including prevention

and risk factors, early detection and PSA screening, treatment options and their side effects and life following treatment. The format will be standardized and engaging to all audiences and packaged so non experts can deliver the presentation and answer basic questions.

During 2008-2009, the Masonic Foundation of Ontario was honoured on 2 occasions:

• The Children's Hospital of Ontario , by placing a donor plate on its donor wall
• St. Joseph 's Health Care, London , launched the St. Josephs Cornerstone Society and the Masonic Foundation of Ontario was inducted into this society and had its name listed on a special donor wall located at St. Josephs Hospital .

This Brethren is Masonry making a difference and we should all be rightfully proud of our Charity and Benevolence.