Harmony Lodge #3 Help Jacksonville Students "Mask Up"
Harmony Lodge #3 Secretary/Grand Secretary Frank Cline presents check to Jacksonville Pulbic Schools Foundation Executive Director Amy Albers. Also present were Brother Eddie Carpenter of the Masonic Academic Bowl Committee and Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation Reunion Coordinator Lori Karr.
As schools return to in-person, precautions have been instilled to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect our students. With these new precautions comes new expenses. In order to cover these expenses, schools have turned to their communities for assistance. One such school is the Jacksonville School District Number 117. At the beginning of the 2021/2022 school year, Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation sent out a request for donations for masks for their students. Individuals can donate money for the masks or make masks from material retrieved from Times Square Sewing in Jacksonville. Seeing this request, and having their own children enrolled in this district, Harmony Lodge #3 stepped up to the plate by applying for the Youth Organization Connection through Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program.
The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization. While it is independent from the School District, it’s mission is to provide resources for programs and projects for Jacksonville School District #117. In the past, Harmony Lodge #3 has donated to the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation by assisting in sending the Academic Bowl Team to the Academic Bowl held every year. However, the Academic Bowl was canceled last year due to COVID-10. Harmony Lodge #3 donated $100 to the foundation in lieu of supporting sending the team.
With the help of IMCAP, Harmony Lodge #3 filled out the Youth Organization Connection proposal form to ask for a micro grant for the purchase of masks on behalf of the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation. The Youth Organization Connection is designed to partner with Lodges in assisting youth organizations and events in their communities through the use of micro grants. In the past, IMCAP has been able to partner with Lodges to provide assistance with community baseball teams, food backpack programs, specialized playgrounds, and more. IMCAP is proud to partner with Harmony Lodge #3 to ensure the safety of Jacksonville School District #117 students during this challenging time.
For more information on Youth Organization Connection, please visit https://imcap.org/youth-organization-connection
Does your Lodge know of a youth organization or event that may need assistance in your area? Contact Director Gale Kilbury to start the proposal process. Director Kilbury can be contacted by phone (217) 529-8900 ext 222 or by email IMCAP@ilmason.org.