Blue Slipper Stories - Fall, 2023

Blue Slipper Stories

GREETINGS from LINDA JACKSON

Director of Philanthropic and Widows’ Support

Happy Fall!

I hope this edition of Blue Slipper Stories finds you in good health and spirits. While the summer months tend to be a bit slower, in July, we celebrated Masonic widows at a luncheon held at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown (see inside for photos). Over 125 widows and guests attended the event as we honored and welcomed 20 new members to the Masonic Widows’ Guild, bringing our current membership to 1,621! Our next event will be held in October at Heritage Hills Resort in York, where I look forward to meeting current and new Guild members.

As the Widows’ Guild continues to grow, support through the Masonic Outreach Program is reaching many more widows, with over $60,000 in financial assistance provided in 2022.

It is heartwarming to know these women have someone by their side when they find themselves in situations where they need financial assistance or help dealing with financial or legal matters.

Thank you to the many local Masonic lodges that partner with us to identify widows in need and promote information about the Masonic Widows’ Guild. Together, we are impacting and improving the lives of Masonic widows and their families.

I encourage any member to reach out to me or the Outreach Program if they are having difficulties, find themselves in a challenging situation or need professional advice. The Outreach Program recently approved assistance for a widow in Florida to replace the roof on her home. This expenditure depleted most of her savings, and we are helping her to make ends meet with a monthly supply of grocery gift cards. She is grateful for the help during a trying time.

Remember, you are not alone, no matter where you live.

Wishing you the enjoyment of the warm days and cool nights of the autumn season, and for those of you who live in warmer regions, enjoy the break from the summer heat.

Stay safe and stay well.

Please let me know if you would like a copy of the Widows’ Guild Directory. Contact me at 717-367-1121, ext. 33497, or lmjackson@masonicvillages.org

A Natural OUTREACH

Matt Williams, a member of Shidle Lodge No. 601, Irwin, PA, initiated the Widows Helpers program to assist local Masonic widows with home maintenance and repairs. Projects have included weeding flower beds, trimming trees, fixing a broken door and lock and helping replace a leaking roof. It’s a lot of work and a lot of love for volunteers, but well worth the effort.

The initiative is personal for Matt, whose mother was in a similar position as to many of the widows helped by the program after her husband’s passing. Her husband had assumed many responsibilities during their marriage, like banking, car maintenance, etc., and she had to learn or take over those things.

“I never realized how much she relied on him. I wish there would have been a program like this available for her,” Matt said.

One of the first projects he worked on was with Edna Mae Watrous, widow of Richard Watrous, also of Shidle Lodge No. 601. Matt cut branches off a tree which was threatening to damage her roof.

“They are a godsend,” Edna said. “My husband passed on 13 years ago, and I’m going to turn 80 this year. I can no longer do what I used to, and it helps me and other widows financially. My husband was so proud to be a Mason. He was a wonderful husband, father and Mason.”

Shidle Lodge was an ideal starting place for this type of program because, as the 10-12 members who gathered one Saturday to paint the lodge discovered, their lodge has “a representative from every trade you could imagine.” Their lodge and district, District 30, were already reaching out to Masonic widows on a social level, so this was just a natural extension of what was already being done, according to Matt.

Matt brings his professional experiences as a contractor and founder of the nonprofit Fight the Blight, Inc., which helps older homeowners, those with disabilities and others struggling to keep up with their property needs to maintain their homes through debris removal, light repairs, painting and lawn care. Fight the Blight has provided $20,000 worth of work in just over a year and was chosen as the Westmoreland Association of Realtors 2022 Charity of the Year.

With both Fight the Blight and Widows Helpers, Matt hopes to expand to the rest of the state, growing their resources and volunteer base along the way. Widows Helpers has already served widows outside of Shidle Lodge, with referrals from other 30th District lodges and members for some of their projects. The biggest challenge they currently face is getting in touch with widows, as some contact information on file for them, if it exists, is out of date.

Much like the physical work Matt does for them, any effort to impact more widows will be worth every minute of his time in honor of his mother and all Masonic widows.

For more information on getting involved with the Widows Helper program, call 724-739-3785 or email widowshelpers@gmail.com.

FRANKLIN LEGACY SOCIETY

DID YOU KNOW?

If you and/or your late husband have included one of the Masonic Charities in your Will or estate plan, you are eligible to join the Franklin Legacy Society. Named for one of our country’s founders and philanthropist, Benjamin Franklin, the Franklin Legacy Society recognizes individuals who possess foresight and generosity.

Please contact the Masonic Charities Office of Mission Advancement and Development for information on membership or guidance on including your favorite Masonic charity in your Will or estate plan. Call 1-800-599-6454 or email giving@masoniccharitiespa.org to speak with a gift planning expert today.

Widows’ Guild EVENTS

BENEFITS OF FRANKLIN LEGACY SOCIETY

With over 600 members in the Franklin Legacy Society, we invite you to become a member and share in its benefits:

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Invitation to an annual donor recognition reception usually held in May at the Elizabethtown, Lafayette Hill and Sewickley Masonic Village locations

Receipt of a handsome book clock and pin which depicts Ben Franklin working at his printing press

Recognition on the donor recognition wall and in the Annual Report (members may, however, elect to remain anonymous and still receive the other benefits of the society)

Widows’ Guild luncheon at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown.

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The Pennsylvania Masonic Widows’ Guild is in place to recognize, honor and support the widows of Pennsylvania Masons. If you have questions about the Widows’ Guild or would like to become a member and receive your Blue Slipper pin, please call Director of Philanthropic and Widows’ Support Linda Jackson at 717-367-1121, ext. 33497 or email lmjackson@masonicvillages.org.