Conalmc: I can speak as to what my own lodge and other masonic groups do to help others. The by-laws of my lodge mandate the appointment of a committee to report to the Master near the end of each year the names of any brothers who, in their opinion, may be in circumstances which would warrant some assistance. The lodge invariably agrees to remit their dues (excuse them from payment). This is not a huge sum (currently $50, after this year $65), but it’s a help and the brothers don’t have to ask for it; moreover, it doesn’t just represent lost revenue, but a positive loss, since the lodge still has to pay a fairly hefty assessment to the Grand lodge for such members. Some 30 or so years ago, a member of the lodge gave us $1000 to pay the dues (then about $20) of any members who might be in straitened circumstances. When we used that up after a few years, he gave us another $1000. He asked to remain anonymous and only the Masters, Secretary and Treasurer knew who he was. His identity was revealed only after his death. One of our old Past Masters told me, years ago, that during the depression the lodge would frequently pay for a ton of coal to be delivered several times a year to certain widows of members. (In case you’re very young, this was for their home furnace.) For quite a few years, our lodge caterer was the widow of one of our members. She was well paid, and enjoyed doing it, and was a great cook, too; I’ll never forget her fried oysters.
Last year, the wife of one of the members of my Royal Arch Chapter was battling a form of brain cancer (they were 26 years old at the time). The Chapter, my lodge and Commandery (the young man belonged to another lodge and commandery) all made donations running into four figures to help with her enormous medical bills, transportation, and to defray the costs of some construction in their house so she could get around and outside in a wheelchair. Quite a few other lodges around the state also contributed. Sadly, she has since lost the battle, but we were glad to help make things better while they still had time together.
My Commandery is fortunate to have a very large endowment, built up starting 100 years ago, and enjoys an income far above what is needed for its support and operation. Every year, we give away between $20K and $30K to various worthy causes, including the Scottish Rite Speech/Language Clinic, the Shriners Hospitals Transportation Fund, youth groups and others. So far, we have had no occasion to assist an individual, but there is money there if it should be necessary.
This, as you can imagine, transcends what you refer to as a “buddy system”. Masons are taught to be generous where there is a need, and we do what we can.
