I recieved my permanant dues card in the mail yesterday along with a letter from the Grand Lodge.

The letter said that Masons give their time to Shriners hospitals, Veterans hospitals,Widow and Orphan assistance,and volunteer services.

Being that I'm a new Master Mason, I don't know the Masons involvment in the vets hospitals. Can anyone tell me what we do there?

Coincidently, there is an article in this moths NC Mason (our news paper) that is about our Grand Master visiting local Veterans Hospitals. You'd be surpirsed how much something like a visit from good men means to these guys.

I will be happy to send you a copy of the NC Mason once it is available online, or you can keep an eye out for it yourself by visiting our Grand Lodge website.

Heres the link: http://www.grandlodge-nc.org/nc-mason/archives/2008/

You'll be waiting for them to post the March/April editions.

Congratulations on joining our fraternity. You are beginning the greatest journey of your life. I hope that you will come to cherish Masonry as much as I do.

Your question is difficult to answer. Although Masonry is not a charitable institution, many Masons and lodges are involved in all types of humanitarian and charitable activities.

Masonic and appendant bodies daily support of charitable activities is estimated at about $2.6 million dollars per day. The total amount of charitable spending is probably much more.

Masons and appendant bodies' members also donate millions of man-hours to charitable and humanitarian endeavours as well. The Eastern Star provides services to patients in all types of hospitals, including veteran's hospitals.

I realize that this is only a partial description of masonic charitable activities. I suggest that you ask your local lodge, and your grand Lodge for a more complete description, and if you choose to assist, they will be more than glad to have your help.

Here are two links, that you may find useful:

http://masonicinfo.com

http://masonic-renewal.org