Blue Slipper Stories - Winter, 2023

Blue Slipper Stories

After Jerry’s passing in 2016, the Masonic Widows’ Guild began to send postcards to Karen, reminding her she had support available when needed, thanks to her husband’s membership in the Masonic fraternity.

“I was so tied up in his care, after he passed, I didn’t look through all the mail,” Karen said. “Something made me keep the postcard from the Widows’ Guild. I put it away to review later.”

She was happy she saved the postcard when she found herself in a tough situation. Her furnace went out and needed replaced. The repair company was requesting payment upfront, and Karen didn’t know how she would come up with the thousands of dollars needed. She pulled out the postcard and called Linda Jackson, director of philanthropic and widows’ support.

A Silent BLESSING

Brother Jerry Hubler, Driftwood Emporium Lodge No. 532, Driftwood, worked in logging and trucking his whole life, following in the footsteps of his parents. He believed in hard work and looked forward to a happy retirement with his wife, Karen. In the last year of his career, their plans changed when Jerry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His condition progressed rapidly, and within three years, he passed away.

“He was a fantastic husband and father,” Karen said, “and a wonderful person and excellent provider. He was very good to me and had a big heart. There was nothing I wanted that I didn’t get.”

Linda listened to Karen’s situation and passed along her information to Nick Mahler, director of outreach and member services. Nick called Karen and informed her what assistance they could provide.

“It was a blessing,” Karen said. “To be able to reach out and hear, ‘Yes, we can help you,’ it gave me such hope.”

Her furnace was repaired, and while Karen still isn’t sure exactly what made her keep that postcard, she now tells everyone to keep any mailings they receive from the Masonic Village, Masonic Charities or the Widows’ Guild.

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“I’m pretty isolated – 20 miles from the nearest grocery store and gas station,” Karen said. “I want to stay abreast of what is happening with the Widows’ Guild. I know Linda now and stay in touch with her. She and Nick are lovely people: open and honest, straight forward and compassionate. They are my angels.”

Karen’s husband, Jerry, would be happy to know his legacy as an excellent provider continues because of his commitment to Freemasonry.

ATTENTION: New Law!

Now, You Can Fund a Lifetime Annuity from Your IRA Without Paying Taxes!

You can now make a once-in-a-lifetime distribution of up to $50,000 to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) from the Masonic Charities.

What you need to know:

• Anyone 70 1/2 or older can apply.

• Annuity rates start at 5.2% and can go as high as 9.7%, depending on your age.

• You can purchase an annuity for yourself or for you and your spouse.

• Your distribution can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), thereby avoiding taxes on your RMD.

Through the Widows’ Guild and the Masonic Outreach Program, Karen has trusted partners who are just a phone call away.

“The whole experience for me was a silent blessing,” Karen said. “No one made a big thing out of anything. It was just a silent blessing.”

Masonic Outreach Program in 2022 provided $68,000 in assistance to 28 widows.

DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR NEW HIGHER RATES!

Your Charitable Gift Annuity will provide these benefits:

• Payments to you or you and your spouse for the rest of your lives

• Tax-free distributions from your IRA to fund the annuity

• The ability to support your favorite Masonic charity when the annuity ends Call us at 1-800-599-6454 or visit MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org to learn more.

Annuities are subject to meeting qualified minimum rate of 5%. For One Life For Two Lives

GREETINGS from LINDA JACKSON

Director of Philanthropic and Widows’ Support

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope 2023 is off to a good start and that you had a memorable holiday season. The new year is traditionally a good time to reflect on the year behind us and set a plan for the year ahead, and as such, I would ask that you consider joining the Masonic Widows’ Guild. The Winter issue of Blue Slipper Stories is mailed to over 14,000 women and is dedicated to growing the Masonic Widows’ Guild.

If this is the first time you have received Blue Slipper Stories, you may be unfamiliar with the Masonic Widows’ Guild, so I offer this brief history. The Masonic Widows’ Guild was formally established in 2016 by the Masonic Villages of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to strengthen relationships, recognize and assist the widows of Pennsylvania Masons.

It is estimated that 75-100 women are widowed each month by the loss of their husband, and caring for them is a priority for the fraternity. Listed below are reasons you might consider joining the guild as a widow of a Pennsylvania Mason:

• Through membership in the Widows’ Guild, you will receive important information about programs and services available to you as a Masonic widow. The Masonic Outreach Program provides financial support to widows in need, as well as access to financial and legal services.

• Three times annually, you will receive the Blue Slipper Stories newsletter with informational and inspirational articles. Leave

• All members of the Widows’ Guild receive a Blue Slipper pin and a personalized membership card. The Blue Slipper pin is the universal symbol that the wearer is a Masonic widow.

• You will receive an invitation to a Masonic Widows’ Guild luncheon in your area. Throughout the year and at various locations, luncheons are held to welcome new members and honor existing members. These events are wonderful opportunities to make new friends and fellowship with other Masonic widows.

• As a member, you have access to the membership directory, which is a listing of contact information by Pennsylvania counties, providing an opportunity for members to connect with one another.

• Most importantly, members of the Widows’ Guild know they are not alone! You have comfort in knowing help and support is only a phone call or email away.

So, as you set your goals for this year, I hope you will consider joining the Masonic Widows’ Guild. There are no fees or other obligations associated with membership, and with over 1,550 members, you will be in good company. Masonic widows are bonded by their special connection to each other and to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania through the Widows’ Guild.

If you would like to receive your Blue Slipper pin and membership, please contact me at 717-367-1121, ext. 33497, or lmjackson@masonicvillages.org

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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 Linda Jackson at 1-800-599-6454 or email lmjackson@masonicvillages.org.

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