FREEMASONRY & CHARITY
Freemasons are encouraged to give freely to those in need by financial assistance, moral support or manpower, without detriment to themselves or their families.
Freemasonry generally collects money for charity from within its organisation and its members, and from functions and events promoted within the membership. Individual Lodges also raise funds which are usually distributed to local good causes of their own choice.
Western Division Freemasons are very much part of the local community where we provide considerable charitable support.
OUR CHARITIES
WOODSIDE SPECIAL CARE CENTRE
October 2025
Members of the Metropolitan Lodge supported the Woodside Special Care Centre by replacing the floor in the children’s playroom, donating beanies for the children, and books to help raise R40,000.
Jim Blain, the Lodge Secretary, said, “The old flooring consisted of carpet tiles that were difficult to clean, so we replaced it with vinyl flooring, which is easy to wash to maintain cleanliness and hygiene,”
Marlene Blain, Jim’s wife, knitted 55 beanies for the kids.
Books donated by Metropolitan Lodge being delivered at Woodside
New floor for the children’s playroom
Some of the 55 beanies knitted by Marlene Blain
David Hoffman, Worshipful Master of Metropolitan Lodge delivering the books
ONE to ONE IN CAPE TOWN
Freemasons in Cape Town support the annual ONE to ONE community initiative, a fair arranged exclusively for the intellectually disabled where volunteers become a “friend” to the disabled guest and sharing the enjoyment and excitement on a one-to-one basis. The rocking horse is a huge favourite.
TEDDY BEARS FOR RAY OF SUNSHINE HOUSE
Presentation of Teddy Bears to the children of Ray of Sunshine House, Dassenberg, Atlantis by the Freemasons of the Western Cape as part of the national initiative.
On behalf of the Freemasons, Nick Briatore handed over the Bears to Merle Ray of Ray of Sunshine House.
LITTLE ANGELS CHILDREN’S HAVEN RECEIVED R28 000
from DISTRICT GRAND LODGE
Lord Roberts Lodge in Somerset West, on behalf of District, presented R28 000 to Little Angels from funds raised at the Mad Hatters Charity Auction.
Pictured: Lily Breuing Ellis, Chair (centre) and Tanya de Jager, House Manager with Nick Briatore, the Charity Steward of Lord Roberts Lodge.
KING GEORGE V LODGE (VICTORIA WEST)
RAISED R15 000 for CHARITY
A well turned out Veteran Motor Show was held recently in Victoria West. Masons of the King George V Lodge raised R15 000 for the local old age home. The donations was much appreciated by the staff running the home.
ONE TO ONE
Freemasons again supported the annual ONE to ONE community initiative on Sunday 19 August 2018, a fair arranged exclusively for the intellectually disabled where volunteers become a “friend” to the disabled guest and sharing the enjoyment and excitement on a one-to-one basis.
The Freemasons rocking horse was again very popular as was fishing with magnets. 
CAPE TOWN SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
In 2017 Freemasons of the Western Division raised one million Rand for the Cape Town Society for the Blind and additional money was raised for other deserving causes across our District.
Jim Duggan (the then District Grand Master) hands over the keys for the first of two vehicles donated by Freemasons to Elize Marais of the Cape Town Society for the Blind.
MASONIC BENEVOLENT and EDUCATION FUNDS
Our District Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund is financed from the generosity of Freemasons and their families. In times of real need help and support is available for Freemasons, their wives, partners, widows, children and grandchildren. Most of the support to those in need takes the form of monetory grants to assist with financial, health or family related needs.
Western Division supports the inter-constitutional Masonic Education Fund, which is available in times of need to assist dependents of Freemasons in full-time education.
GALLERY
