Throughout last year, Freemasons of Caledonia Lodge No 68 have raised money for charity from a variety of sources including raffles, other charity events and, especially, the Lodge Ladies Night. All were carried out under the guidance of the Worshipful Master, Sid Thornby, who selected this charity as the Lodge charity for the past year. This money raised, over five hundred euros, has been used to buy food for the Red Cross in Torrevieja and was donated on Thursday, 13th December, by Worshipful Brothers, Ian Bullock, Ian Gibson and Freddie Samrai who went along to the local office.

Earlier, WBro Freddy Samrai and his lovely wife Carol went to the Red Cross in Torrevieja and asked them what types of food they would like. Then with the help of the two Ian’s they all went to the local Cash and Carry, where they were helped by the very nice staff to select and purchase suitable items of food.
They raised sufficient money to buy a full pallet of food which was gratefully accepted by the Red Cross. This food will help to feed just a few of the local people, some of whom have fallen on very hard times. The pallet of food was taken to the Red Cross in Torrevieja, where the smiles on the faces of the staff was all the thanks they could have hoped for.

The  food  will be given out to those in need at the end of each week. Any other donations from any other source’s would always be very gratefully received by the Red Cross, Torrevieja. Freddie added “My wife and I would like to thank the two Ian’s, and all the others concerned who helped to raise this much needed money at such a special time of   year. There is always a problem but perhaps it is even  worse with Christmas approaching. It is good that the generosity of the local Masons will go a little way towards helping people to have a better Christmas than they might otherwise have expected.”

El National Restaurant in Punta Prima was the venue for the presentation of a 2500 euro cheque to ‘Reachout’ Torrevieja on Tuesday 21st November by the Las Salinas Lodge No 79.
‘Reachout’ was the chosen charity of Past Master, Brian McArdle, during his year in the Chair, an organisation that he praised for the outstanding work that they do for the homeless and underprivileged, of all nations, in the local area.
The presentation was made following November’s monthly ‘Saltpot’ lunch to ‘Reach Out’s’ newly elected President Brian Procter, who said that the bulk of the donation would be used to purchase tables and chairs for the centre’s comedor (dining room) which now serves approximately 50 homeless people with breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday every week.
Brian explained the kind of support that the charity provides from their centre in C/Dona Sinforosa, including the provision of hot meals, showers and laundry facilities for those most in need, “a lot of people who are just normal people like you and I, but who are unfortunately down on their luck,” he said.
‘Reach Out’ also provides basic foodstuffs to families in need, as well as clothing, blankets, linen and household items and furniture. With Christmas less than 4 weeks away they are currently providing support to 39 families and their 66 children.
Brian McArdle said how pleased he was that the donation was being put to such a worthy cause as he urged members who were able to provide help, to do whatever they could.
More information of the services provided by ‘Reach Out’ charity can be found on their website at: www.reachouttorrevieja.eu

This article was written, photographed and published by Kevin Rearden of ‘The Leader’ newspaper to whom we offer our thanks for allowing us to publish it.

On Thursday, 30th November, Trevor Bagnall, Charity Steward of Dama de Elche Lodge, accompanied by his wife, Pat, made a pre Christmas visit to the twenty one children of the EMAUS children’s home in Elche to deliver many gifts for the children. These gifts were mainly toiletries either collected by the Masons themselves or generously donated by their wives. These were presented to Annette English who received them with pleasure. She later sent the following email.

Last week Trevor Bagnell and his wife Pat Arrived in La Marina with a car load of toiletries for the children . I told them we must have the cleanest kids in Elche at the moment. All of these toiletries are very welcome at the home and are always needed . Our thanks to all the members of Dame De Elche Masonic  Lodge Number 163 for this wonderful donation.

The gifts were given to this splendid charity, which was chosen by Worshipful Master Gordon Ramshead as his chosen charity for the year. This will be the last donation by Gordon who is soon to step down as Master but no doubt his successor will try to carry on his good work.
The Lodge has also provided 1000 litres of much needed fuel oil for their heating over the winter and they will also be making a further donation to Debra (the Butterfly children) which will happen within the next two weeks when further details and photos will be given.

The Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. Michael Shilan and his Lady, Muriel joined the Members and guests as the recent meeting of Armonia de Ifach Lodge No.46 held in Benissa.

After the Lodge meeting was concluded and the Lodge was Closed the Brethren invited the Ladies and non-Masonic guests to join them in the Temple and entertained them with a presentation on the structure of a Lodge, the Officers and their principle roles as well as the extensive charitable works undertaken by Freemasons around the World.

Everyone present then enjoyed a meal together.

Should you wish to learn more about Freemasonry and our charitable activities then please contact the Provincial Grand Secretary.

The men’s hospice in Gandia currently looks after about fifty homeless men with mental health problems. It is run by two Franciscan monks who work tirelessly, seven days a week, to help these men as much as is humanly possible. This is extremely difficult as they receive no help from the state and exist entirely from money donated and volunteers. Recently they have had a crisis where they had reduced their food stocks, basically to zero.
They were forced to send out appeals for urgent help just to be able to continue to help feed their residents. Hearing of this, local Freemason’s Lodge, Oliva La Safor, immediately sprang into action with an urgent appeal to all their members to bring food – as much as possible. Last night, Tuesday 21 November, this food was collected and will be distributed immediately.

The photograph below shows WM Ian Skipper, overwhelmed by the amount of food collected.

The amount of food gathered in one evening was amazing and will be welcomed by the hungry residents. The foodstuffs consisted of mainly long life goods such as rice, pasta, flour, sugar and tinned food at least some of which can hopefully be stored for future use. There was also useful donations of clothes and medicines which will also be very useful.

Just one extra tin of beans added to your weekly shop could make an enormous difference if we can only persuade enough people to do this. Old clothes which most of us would simply throw away can keep a homeless man warm through the winter. Old, out of date medicines are generally all they can get so before throwing medicine away or returning it to the chemist please think about donating it. With your help we really can make a difference.

On Friday, November 3rd, the Worshipful Master, WBro Brian Duncan and his Lady, Beryl, visited Alicante University General Hospital to present a cheque for four thousand, three hundred euros to Aspanion, a Charity for Children with Cancer.  The cheque was presented on behalf of the Santa Faz Lodge No 48, and was received by Alejandro Garcia Gea, the Technical Director of Aspanion, who then gave them an insight into their work and a short tour of their facilities.
Aspanion aims to ensure the best quality of life for the children and adolescents with cancer and their families, from diagnosis onwards.  They achieve this by working in five key programmes providing psychological and financial support, recreational support, education and social integration, advocacy awareness and general information.
The Santa Faz Lodge No 48 raised this money from  a variety of fun activities and social events including a quiz, beach walk and BBQ, a Chinese meal, a Rastro, a Strawberry Fayre and a Valentines Day lunch.
The Worshipful Master would like to thank the many ex-pats for their very generous support and assistance with this year’s Charity.

On Sunday, 29th October, Freemasons of Arenal Deportiva Lodge held a late summer barbecue for members and guests of the Lodge to raise much needed funds for charity. The original date was set for a couple of weeks ago but, as is often the case with barbecues, rain stopped play. The date chosen had one of the heaviest downpours in recent history making the prospect of eating outside totally impossible.

The barbecue had to be cancelled at the last minute and postponed until a day with, hopefully, better weather.
Yesterday however, the fates were kinder and the barbecue went ahead in glorious sunshine. Almost forty Masons, their wives and friends turned up for what was to be a glorious afternoon of good food, good wine and good friends.
This event was held in the garden of the Worshipful Master of the Lodge WBro Ian Brown and his lovely wife Eileen who spared no effort to make the afternoon a great success.
Music was supplied by popular local entertainer Ian Henry, who played and sang for the entire afternoon and into the early evening.
A wonderful choice of meats were grilled on the barbecue by Ian and his volunteer helpers including steak, chicken, burgers and sausages along with a variety of salads. To finish fresh fruit and several very good cakes were offered and it looked as though everyone enjoyed their meal and, in most cases, second helpings (and even third in a couple of cases)

Several methods of raising money for charity by charity steward WBro Ray Guise-Smith, were mercilessly employed including a raffle and the proceeds from these totalled a magnificent four hundred and fifty-two euros which will be added to other amounts raised at other events and donated to El Preventorio children’s home in Gandia at a later date. A great round of thanks must be offered to Ian and Eileen for sharing their home, the willing volunteers who made great efforts to keep everyone happy and to all the generous Masons and their guests who raised so much for a very worthwhile charity.

Several members of the Board of the Masonic Homes of Valencia were recently invited to the Autumn Fiesta of the ISVH Bomberos Voluntarios de Balcon Al Mar in Javea, The Volunteer Fire Service is based at Balcon al Mar, and the Board members visited to view the new items purchased from the donations made to the fire fighters, by the Masonic Homes of Valencia, following the terrible fires last year. A lot of  their, very expensive, equipment was lost, or badly damaged, in those fires which needed replacing and the Masonic Homes stepped in to help out as much as possible.  They were shown around the premises of the Fire Station and given explanations of the many different types of new equipment, including the fire protected clothing, boots, helmets and the essential breathing equipment.  Outside, on the forecourt, they were also shown the new fire engine, and the very varied assortment of equipment carried.

These fire fighters, every one a volunteer, do a fantastic job to protect and save all of us. Remember, when we are all running away from fires, these brave people are running into them. We would be lost without them and the thanks of all of us must be given humbly and gratefully to each and every one.

The photos  show the President Jenny Hart listening to the Station Commander explaining the new type of Helmet, together with the new managers of the Moraira Charity Shop, there is also a group photo of some of the members of the Board who visited, and a photo of the new, fully equipped, fire engine.

On Wednesday, 18th October, WBro Keith Alcock, the Provincial Charity Steward of Valencia visited El Preventorio children’s home in Gandia to deliver several sacksful of clothes and shoes to the children of the home. Relying almost entirely on volunteers and charity for almost everything they need, the home is always very grateful for donations of this sort.
Caring for over fifty children ranging in age from three to fourteen, is no easy matter, particularly as they receive no official help. The children wear out, and grow out of, clothes and shoes at an alarming rate. It is a never ending battle to keep them well clothed and shod.

El Preventorio has been supported by various local Lodges over the past few years and now, the Provincial Grand Lodge has also stepped in to help out as much as possible. Earlier in the year they sponsored a large group of children to visit the Masonic summer school in Guadalest. The children who attended had a magical time being both entertained and educated at the same time.
They have now designated El Preventorio one of their chosen charity’s for this year. At the recent Provincial Ladies Night, over one thousand six hundred euros were raised which will also go to the home. On a local level the home has been supported by, amongst others, White River Lodge, Arenal Deportiva Lodge and Oliva La Safor Lodge. This donation was made by White River Lodge and also John Harvey in Quesada. So this donation was made by Masons from the extreme north of the Province right down to the south.

The picture shows, WBro Keith Alcock with Ms Silvia Barnish who acts as our liaison with the home as well as acting as a translator for those of us whose Spanish is a little wanting. Many thanks to Silvia.

On Saturday, 21^st October, more than two hundred Freemasons from all over the Province assembled in Benidorm for their annual Provincial Ladies Night. Masons from the north of Castellon to the south of Alicante turned out for a grand celebratory dinner, with friends which included live entertainment and a grand charity raffle. Each Lodge throughout the region (and there are now twenty-eight in all) usually holds a Ladies Night once a year, primarily to thank their wives and partners for their support throughout the year. Masonic wives sometimes have to put up with a lot! Many Masons attend meetings two or three times a week, sometimes even more. Their duties often require them to spend a lot of time away from home and most admit they could not do it without the support so freely given by their loved ones.

Also, once a year, there is a Provincial Ladies Night which is also to thank our wives but this one is on a rather grander scale. It is organised on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Michael Shilan who acts as President of the event, and his lovely Lady Muriel who is always on hand to help and support Michael and Freemasonry in general whenever possible. They were aided by the valued assistance of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge who acted as escorts and guides throughout the evening. The meeting was held at the Benidorm Grand Bali hotel which is almost midway between the north and south of the Province and began with a cava and canapé reception which was followed by a four course dinner.

The Ladies toast was given in an exemplary manner by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, WBro Rodney Bignell. The President’s wife, Muriel, was then serenaded by popular singer VWBro Jeff Hyde who sang The Ladies Song extremely well and received a well-deserved round of applause. Muriel then responded to the toast and thanked all the people who had helped in organising the event and especially all of the people who had come along to enjoy the evening. She said that there was an enormous amount of work needed to organise such an event and most people didn’t realise how many people were involved and how long it took. Without the free and voluntary assistance of so many people the event would be impossible.

Later there was yet more music supplied by local group ‘Black Glitter’ who played and sang songs from the sixties to the eighties. There was also a grand charity raffle offering a selection of valuable prizes and which was held in support of El Preventorio children’s home in Gandia. This raised the incredible amount of just over one thousand six hundred euros which will be used to purchase something much needed by the home. The evening ended at one in the morning by which time everyone was fed, watered and danced out. A great evening enjoyed by everyone!

Here is a link to more photos of the occasion.

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