The Valley of Portland makes it a priority to support their local community through fundraising and donation-based contributions to local nonprofits. As Scottish Rite Masons, one of the core values we strive to exemplify is Service to Humanity. Through the work of our Charities, our members are able to make a meaningful difference in their communities and the lives of others.
Over the years, we have supported large and small charities alike like the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Portland, the Grand Almoner’s Fund, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, Leon M. Abbott Scholarships and the Membership Education Fund, in addition to smaller local community organizations that strive to bring good, growth and education to Maine and beyond.
For over two decades, the Scottish Rite Masons, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, have been national leaders in the effort to help children and their families overcome the painful obstacles of dyslexia. Through our continued support to the Children’s Dyslexia Centers in Portland and Bangor this year, we were able to total donations over $50,000. These Centers teach children with dyslexia how to read at no cost to their families. Since 2002, the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Portland has helped over 318 children in the Southern Maine area discover the gift of reading, opening them up to a world of opportunities that once seemed unattainable. The Center has also trained over 77 local educators in the best-practice approaches to teaching reading skills.
To continue to support children with education and discovery, we made a donation of $500 to the new Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine that was just built and recently opened in Portland. They strive to be an indispensable community resource devoted to children’s continued development and learning. We value their dedication to relationships, and ability to work together with parents, caregivers and diverse partners to build a foundation of educational support for children and families across Maine.
In addition to supporting children locally, we also believe in joining to help with the fight against hunger in our communities. The Wayside Food Programs of Portland and the York County Shelter Programs Food Pantry are two such organizations that strive to address hunger, food waste and poverty through volunteer-driven programming and collaborative, cross-industry network partners in Southern Maine. To continue to support their important mission, we made a $500 donation to both programs. They, like us, believe that the health and vibrancy of our community heavily depend on the physical, social and economic well-being of all members that live and work in our neighborhoods and towns. To learn more about these organizations and how you can become involved and make a difference, visit their websites today.
We encourage each and all to learn more about local charities and nonprofits to see how we can continue to support the important work they do and give back through donations and voluntarism. For more information on charities supported by the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, please click here.
Thank you for your continued support of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. We are excited to continue to reach higher, find truth, grow our Brotherhood and care for our members and community.
