How We Support the Community
Beaumont Lodge 286 is a 501(c)(10) non-profit operating under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Texas. The Lodge funds and provides the following programs to our community:
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Currently the Lodge provides $8,000 annually in scholarships to any well deserving high school student. The Lodge selected four students from Jefferson County High Schools to receive a scholarship for a two years Technical Degrees or four years for a Bachelor’s Degrees . Each student is given $1,000 per semester ($2,000/annually) as long as the student maintains a 2.0 GPA. The scholarships are staggered so as one student graduates, another is selected. The Lodges goal is to increase the amount to $3,000 annually for each scholarship given. Any student in Jeffersons County can apply.
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Beaumont Lodge 286 host a group of 25-30 adults every other month from the Spindletop Center of Beaumont. The Spindletop Center is a non-profit healthcare organization specializing in behavioral healthcare and programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Spindletop Center provides transportation to the Lodge as a charitable extracurricular activity for these amazing individuals. The group arrives at 11:00 AM and departs at 1:30 PM. The Lodge provides lunch, social activities, and games for the group with prizes for everyone. Only through sponsored activities such as ours does the group get to leave the school. The interaction between our volunteer members and these wonderful adults is what Masonry is all about. Bringing a little joy and entertainment breaks up their otherwise sheltered day. Our Brother, Master Mason AJ Bryce has Cerebral Palsy. Brother Bryce is the Chairman of the Spindletop Committee for the Lodge.
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Annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Food Basket Program. The Lodge provides food baskets for deserving families in need. The cost per basket is approximately $275 for a family of six. Our goal is to increase the number of families from 3 to 9. The baskets have all the fixings for a wonderful holiday meal.
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The Lodge holds an Annual Christmas Toy Drive for those families in need. Donations from the Brethren have increased greatly with the help of many community organizations donating to our Drive. Support from our local television and radio stations is vital to reaching out to the community for their support. It is not unusual to have more than 125 new toys delivered to the Lodge so that those less fortunate have a gift from Santa.
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The Lodge honors two community members for their leadership and dedication to our community each year. The “Community Builders Award” was designed to enable a Lodge to recognize an outstanding non-Mason who has distinguished themselves through their service to the community. This individual who has not been initiated into Masonry, has followed the same precepts, ideals, and standards established as proper Masonic behavior. The “Mirabeau B. Lamar Medal” is given to an outstanding educator for their exemplary commitment, and selfless dedication to the educating tomorrows leaders. Many of these educators give from their own pockets to ensure that every student has the supplies needed to complete the school year. A $500 check accompanies the Medal.
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The Lodge also gets nominations from local schools and gives an additional $500 check to a worthy educator who selflessly gives from their personal funds to purchase supplies for needy students.
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We distribute 300 "Fantastic Teeth" packets to the second-grade classes of Sally Curtis, Roy Guess Elementary, and Hampshire Fannett Elementary Schools. Each packet contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, fun teaching booklet, and stickers for the children. The packets help reinforce the need for proper dental care.
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On a monthly basis, the Lodge collects from its members non-perishable food and clothing for needy elderly families.
Masonic Lodge membership all over the country has been declining since its heyday in 1961. In 1961 Texas Masons numbered 245,000 and today less than 70,000 in our state. Masonic Lodges are competing with everyday life, school activities, two parent working families, and changes in moral values all of which have contributed to the decline in young men joining the fraternity. The mean age of most Lodges, to include ours, is 63 years old.
The Lodge is committed to continuing our community programs and would appreciate any donation to help support our efforts. Your donation will go a long way to the continued success of these programs. Thank you very much for your generosity.
Where does the money come from to support our programs?
The Beaumont Lodge assist our sister Lodge, Tolerance Lodge 1165, by providing workers to “Westmoreland Concessions” in support of the “YMBL South Texas State Fair.” For every hour worked the Lodge is compensated for by an hourly wage.
Beaumont Lodge holds an annual “Clay Shoot” at the “1 in 100 Gun Club” in Lumberton, Texas. Participants get free ammo, breakfast and lunch, golf cart, and sponsorship signage. Prizes for first place adult team, first place youth team, and best overall individual score are given. Instead of giving trophies the Lodge gives a one, one once Silver Eagle Coin to each team member and the best overall individual score. (Register for Clay Shoot Button which is attached to the Fundraising Tab)
To fund our Scholarship Fund, the Lodge holds its annual “Gun Raffle” where the winner “Takes All.” The package usually consist of a rifle, handgun, scope, and ammo for both weapons. Only 650 tickets are sold. (Go to advertisement under the Annual Scholarship Raffle in the Fundraising Tab)
Through donations from the public, our Brethren, local businesses, a grant, and the Texas Masonic Charities Foundation. If you would like to help us with your support, please donate here. Thank you very much for your donation and generosity.
