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. In 2017 the Western Division raised more than R1 million for our non-masonic charities.
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. In 2017 the Western Division raised more than R1 million for our non-masonic charities.
OUR CHARITIES
15 July 2024
CART HORSE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
CAPE POINT LODGE donated R20,000 to the Cart Horse Protection Association.
A spokesman of Cape Lodge said, “We believe that animals, in particular working animals, should be protected from suffering and abuse. The Cart Horse Association is performing a vital function in achieving this objective. We aim to continue supporting this very worthy cause”.
The Cart Horse Associations is a Cape Town based non-profit organisation with the mission of promoting the welfare of working horses and donkeys in the Western Cape through service provision, legislation, education and training. We seek to protect these animals from abuse, initiate an outreach programme for working horses and donkeys in the Western Cape and establish a formal Youth Programme on the Cape Flats.
21 March 2023. A charity collection from members at a regular meeting of CANGO LODGE in Oudtshoorn was donated to the Eljada Community School for medically challenged children. The donation was presented to the school Principal by the Lodge’s Worshipful Master, Hilton Oates. The well attended Lodge ceremony for the evening was the passing Daniel van Zyl to the Second Degree.
21 March 2023. A charity collection from members at a regular meeting of CANGO LODGE in Oudtshoorn was donated to the Eljada Community School for medically challenged children. The donation was presented to the school Principal by the Lodge’s Worshipful Master, Hilton Oates. The well attended Lodge ceremony for the evening was the passing Daniel van Zyl to the Second Degree.
CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR 2022
Western Division Freemasons were up before dawn assisting in marshalling over 22 000 cyclists riding in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the world’s largest timed cycle race, and to many competitors, the most beautiful.
The 109km starts and finishes in the shadow of the beautiful Table Mountain.
All proceeds to the Freemasons will go to charity.
Some of the 22 000 competitors
Pieter Kotze and Ian van der Spuy of Mowbray Lodge clocking in before dawn.
Picture taken by Toni Kotze, Pieter’s wife.
PHOENIX LODGE No. 1860
Christmas Charity Bags
100 Bags of Christmas Cherry sponsored by Phoenix Lodge and Lodge Fish Hoek distributed to unfortunate and needy of those on the feeding schemes of Meals on Wheels, City of Cape Town and abused woman of the Safe House. The recipients were received The Cheer with the hugs and tears of appreciation.Alderman Felicity Purchase of the City of Cape Town and Garnet Marshall, Worshipful Master of Phoenix Lodge.
Ready to Go!
Alderman Felicity Purchase of the City of Cape Town and Garnet Marshall, Worshipful Master of Phoenix Lodge.
The Cape Town Marathon
Sunday 17 October 2021
Freemasons of the Western Division assisted the organisers with the Cape Town Marathon, which was won by Stephen Makoka.
Although, like the Cape Town Cycle Race, this year’s event was a lot smaller than usual (Covid restrictions) it was very successful.
Payments for the work done by the freemasons will go to charity.
Freemasons assist at the the world’s largest timed cycle race
10th October 2021
Western Division Freemasons assisted at the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Although Covid regulations restricted entries to 18 000 cyclists, half the usual number, the event was a great success. Freemasons were up at 04:30am to assist checking in the riders. In picture is Stacey and Fabrizio Diantina. Fabrizio is a member of Lord Roberts Lodge
Proceeds go to masonic charities.
Hermanus Lodge No. 7105
Food for the needy
Jan le Roux of Hermanus Lodge handing over food parcels to the needy at Gansbaai, in the Overberg area.
MOWBRAY LODGE HELPS DISTRESSED COMMUNITY
MOWBRAY LODGE delivered food, toys and kids clothing to the Lily Rose “Squatter” Camp near Mamre (Cape Town).
Jim Duggan, Past District Grand Master, said: “The people were near to tears when we unloaded all the food and the kids where ecstatic to get new cloths and toys..”
WORLD’S LARGEST TIMES CYCLE RACE – MASONS RAISE R40 000 FOR CHARITY
Western Division Freemasons raised R40 000 for CHARITY by assisting at the Cape Town Cycle Tour. More than 30 000 cyclists competed in the gruelling 108km race. Masons were up at 3am to assist checking in the riders.
COLUMBINE LODGE RAISES R44 000 FOR NSRI
The Freemasons of Columbine Lodge donated R44 142 to the National Sea Rescue Institute, the proceeds from the Columbine Lodge Charity Golf Day. The Commander of the West Coast NSRI, Casper Frylinck, received the cheque from the Worshipful Master of Columbine Lodge, Alvin Woolf.
FIRE RELIEF FOR CAMPHILL FARM COMMUNITY AT HERMANUS
Freemasons of Hermanus Lodge and the District Grand Lodge raised R20 000 for rebuilding the structures for the herb and poultry gardens after a devastating fire swept through Camphill Farm in Hermanus.
Camphill is a Community for adults with learning difficulties.
Sam Hodson, the Executive Manager at Camphill, expressed the deepest thanks of the Community for the donation.
DE LA BAT SCHOOL for the DEAF
After a fire destroyed the Boetman Hostel at the De La Bat School for the Deaf in May 2018, Freemasons of Worcester Lodge responded by raising R10 000 to replace a number of items of property lost in the fire.
The Principal Mr Philip Cook (left) with the hostel mother Mrs Johanna van der Westhuizen and children of Boetman Hostel flanked by Freemasons of Worcester Lodge.
LITTLE ANGELS
Nick Briatore and Fabrizio Diantina presenting cleaning products worth over R4000 to Little Angels Childrens Haven in Somerset West. The goods were kindly donates by the members of Lord Roberts Lodge 2827.
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
