As part of its outreach and public relations programme, the Freemasons Association of Anguilla, which encompasses seven Masonic Lodges and Chapters working on the island, has donated a total of US$5,000 shared between two local organisations.

One of the two fortunate recipients is the Arijah Children’s Foundation, established in Anguilla in August 2006 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting children with special needs.

Cheque presentation to Arijah Foundation

The other is the Blowing Point Youth Development Centre which was officially opened n December 10, 2007. Its mission is to bridge the gap between school, college and the workplace for residents in the Blowing Point Community and surrounding areas. Both organisations received US$2,500 each.

The cheque presentation ceremony was held on Tuesday this week at the Freemasons Unity House, Blowing Point.

The representatives of the organisations and the media were welcomed by Seymour Hodge in his capacity of Public Relations Officer for the Freemasons Association.
Treasurer of the Association, Preston Bryan, said that unlike most service clubs, the Freemasons do not go the public to raise funds. He explained that the money for the two organisations came from the Bi-annual Communications Conference held in Anguilla in October this year, by the District Grand Lodge of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and the Virgin Islands, under the Banners of two of the local Lodges, Unity 9166 and Anguilla Masters 9335. The money collected at various functions was earmarked for worthy causes. He said the Anguilla Freemasons were able to match that amount and was pleased to make the donations to the two local organisations.

“We as Freemasons feel that we are part of the Bowing Point community and are proud and glad to be able to make a contribution to this worthy cause,” Mr. Bryan stated.

Master of the Anguilla Unity Lodge, Tony Marsden, said there were a number of Lodges which had been meeting on the island for the past 25 years, with many Anguillians being members of the Freemason and the Lodges. “It is a society which is not particularly well known in the general public and we are looking to alter some of the perceptions that people have about us,” he stated. “We are ordinary men who like to think that we are good men and we believe that Freemasonry makes a good man better. It is a society which comes together for charitable purposes. We are not denominational and not focused on a religion. We are ordinary guys trying to do something a little better. The US$5,000 is from like-minded men throughout the Caribbean.”

Mr. Marsden hoped that the funds donated to the organistions would provide some benefit to them and hoped to make other donations to worthy causes when possible. “We are going to look to de-mystify some of the perceptions about Freemasonry and will be holding an Open Day at the Masonic Lodge…There is nothing unusual about it. There are a lot of symbolic things in it, but there are no real mysteries…”

Past Master of Unity Lodge, Andrew Niles, said that he and his colleagues were extremely grateful “to give back to the community and wanted for a number of years to make a significant contribution in the island” to assist less fortune persons and those not having an opportunity to help themselves. He was happy and proud to be part of the Freemasons Association whose 25th Anniversary would be celebrated in November next year when something special was being planned for the Anguillian community.

Cheque presentation to Blowing Point Youth Development Centre

Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Blowing Point Youth Development Centre, Simone Connor, said its work was primarily to serve the educational, sports and cultural needs of the youth in the area. “We provide after school continuing education programmes, home work support, opportunities for sporting and cultural advancement,” she explained. “We have a mandate as outlined in our strategic plan to address all of those areas for the youth in Blowing Point.
“The funds that we have received will be used to further our mission. Specifically, we have decided to use the funds to expand our library and our efforts to fulfilling some of programme obligations. We appreciate contributions and welcome philanthropy especially when we don’t seek it.”

Speaking on behalf of the Arijah Foundation, Renuka Harrigan, its founder, said her organisation deeply appreciated the contribution. Since its inception in 2006, it has been looking after six children who were not being provided basic education and assistance with respect to some of their basic human rights. “With your contribution we will be able to help care for them,” she told the Freemasons. “Currently we are providing a physical programme and an educational therapy programme" which involves paying qualified persons from the United States. "Sometimes they donate their services and other times we are able to provide something little for them in the way of resources."

Mrs. Harrigan went on: “Currently three of the children are not walking, including Arijah, my daughter. “With your contribution we will be able to maintain the length of this service we are providing. It is our hope that these children will walk at the end of this and it will give them a level of independence they would no otherwise have. I want to thank you sincerely, and for you to know that this contribution is going to make a huge impact on the lives of these children. It will make a difference and you will see them walking one day.”

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