The Hamilton Masonic Districts' Board of Relief

Executive Committee - February 2007 - February 2009

President

• David Gibson Sr.
• #61-59 Queenslea Drive
• Hamilton, ON
• L8W 1P6
• 905-388-8800

Vice-President

• Terence J. Brown
• 17 Fay Avenue
• Hamilton, ON
• L8T 4B9
• 905-388-0473

Secretary-Treasurer

• Robert E. Kerr
• 16 Margaret Avenue
• Grimsby, ON
• L3M 4S1
• 905-945-0132

Past-President

• Eduardo Cordero-Munoz
• 186 Fairleigh Avenue N.
• Hamilton, ON
• L8M 2K5
• 905-548-5111

The following article recently appeared in the September 9, 2005 Issue of the St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton newsletter "Connections."

Funding for Voicemate Glucometer

Scott Calvert and Hawkins (centre) are presented with a cheque from R.W.Bro. Robert E. Kerr. Ruby Weresch (left) holds the Voicemate Glucometer.

Scott Calvert has had brittle Type 1 diabetes since age 3. Unfortunately, he has developed many complications from diabetes including legal blindness since 1981 (he has a guide dog named Hawkins) and renal failure requiring dialysis treatments since April 2005.

Scott has hypoglycemia unawareness, so he is unable to feel symptoms of hypoglycemia, unless they are dangerously low. He may then fall, become disoriented, unconscious or do things that he is not aware of such as pulling out his peritoneal dialysis tube.

In order for him to determine how much insulin or food to take, he must rely on blood sugar results. When he does not have blood sugar results, he tries to estimate from the way he feels, but this is not accurate. Scott usually underestimates the dose so that he does not have a low blood sugar reaction. Constant high sugars lead to more complications.

Since Scott is totally blind and lives alone, he is unable to use glucometers that are available for the sighted. He has a Canadian audio Profile Meter, but this meter is old technology and is not blind-friendly. It requires a large blood sample, the sample usually clots before reaching the strip, or the machines automatically turns off in 15 seconds not giving Scott adequate time to perform a blood test.

Ruby Weresch, from the Diabetes Program, resolved to find Scott a glucometer so he could accurately calculate how much insulin to give and food to eat and consequently have a better quality of life.

After receiving information from another blind person with diabetes, ruby was able to order an Accu-Chek Voicemate Glucometer made in the USA. Unfortunately, Roche Diagnostics from the USA adamantly refused to mail this meter to Canada; but fortunately, Mary Beth Neibert's parents live in the USA so the meter was sent to their address and Mary Beth brought the meter to Canada on her next visit.

 Scott trialed the Acc-Chek Voicemate for several weeks and found the meter to be portable, easy to use, blind-friendly; it has made a positive impact on his life. His extreme fluctuations in blood sugars reduced since he could now calculate how much insulin to give or food to eat.

The cost of this meter is $704.42. Scott is unable to afford this expense; therefore Ruby sent letters of financial appeal to five organizations. Bob Kerr from the Freemasons of the Hamilton Districts responded immediately to this appeal. The Hamilton Masonic District's Board of Relief  Benevolence provides financial assistance to specific needs in our community including, but not limited to, the McMaster Neo-Natal Unit, handicap accessories, individuals/families in distress, and numerous food Bank Programs. After a brief interview by Mr. Robert E. Kerr, Secretary/Treasurer of the Hamilton Masonic District's Board of Relief, with Scott, Mr. Kerr agreed to provide funds for the entire amount of $704.42. An additional three hundred dollars was provided to update immunization for Hawkins.

Scott's healthcare team went the extra mile to provide the best possible care; they truly are Champions of care.

Brethren, you can be proud of the work of your Board of Relief. Through your support we will continue the good works formulated by our rich heritage.

Remember, Masonry is not a "Service Club", however Masons can be of service.

History of the Board of Relief

During the 1860 era the Hamilton Masonic Districts' Board of Relief was in its formative years, providing leadership in establishing this very necessary arm to administer and provide Masonic Charity and Benevolence.

Through the support of the Grand Lodge Committee of Benevolence and the four city lodges of the period, Barton Lodge No.6, The Lodge of Strict Observance No. 27, St. John's Lodge No. 40 and Acacia Lodge No. 61, funds were provided to the Hamilton Masonic Board of Relief for extension of aid and financial assistance to needy brethren, their wives, widows and orphans. At that time each lodge had an elected representative on the Board to administer the affairs. In subsequent years funds were received from subscribing lodges and proceeds from semi-annual Divine Services.

From the humble beginnings the Board of Relief has grown to include the forty-two lodges within the Hamilton Districts' A, Band C of which each has a representative on the Board. The Board is also a
registered charity and maintains burial plots for indigent Masons and their wives in Woodland Cemetery overlooking Hamilton Bay and in Hamilton Cemetery on York Boulevard.

"The objectives of the Hamilton Masonic Districts' Board of Relief shall be the extension of aid and financial assistance to brethren, their families and such other charitable purposes as the Board shall determine."

In 1978, the phrase "and such other charitable purposes as the Board shall determine" was added to its objectives. In so doing we are able to address a wider field of human needs beyond the purview of Masonic relief. Over the past nineteen years various grants totaling approximately $216,087 have been provided for the relief of distress to the needy, both Masonic and non-Masonic alike.

During this past year alone, grants have been provided to assist with individuals in circumstances of need $8,244 various Food  Bank Programs and Agencies $2,800 and McMaster Children's Hospital - Neo Natal Unit $12,625.

To the Brethren of Hamilton Masonic Districts' A, Band C your support will allow for the continuation of the charitable works formulated by our rich heritage.

Information Updated as of March 17th, 2005. R. W. Bro. R. E. (Bob) Kerr, Secretary-Treasurer.
 

The following article appeared recently in a Hamilton Health Sciences and Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation publication, under the heading "Celebrating Donor Generosity"

Masons Support Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The Freemasons of Hamilton and area have been actively involved in our community for a very long time. For those who are unfamiliar with the fraternity, one of the underlying principals of Masonry is charity. Their mandate is to give of oneself to help another who may be in need.

McMaster Children's Hospital has been fortunate enough to be the recipient of this charitable group's generosity over many years.

The connection between the Masons and McMaster Children's Hospital started in 1987 when several Masons, including a Brother named Paul Reeve*, sincerely believed that there was a need to acknowledge the dedicated work of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The financial support began with a series of walkathons sponsored by the "Masters' and Wardens' Association" (which, upon Reeve's untimely death, became known as the "Paul Reeve Memorial Walk-for-Charity in Support of the Neonatal Unit".) This event continued until 2002.

Although the walkathon hasn't been staged since then, the Hamilton Masonic Districts' Board of Relief stepped in and continued the generosity resulting in a total contribution of $12,625.

"We must point out that we're merely the vehicle," says Allan Hale, President. "The credit goes to the various Masonic Associations, Lodges and individual Masons who contribute to this worthy appeal."

Since 1987, the Masons of the Hamilton Districts have raised a total of $159,590 in support of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. By living their fraternity's tradition of caring, they have helped save the lives of hundreds of children.

*R.W.Bro. Paul Reeve was a member and Past Master of Union Lodge #7 in Grimsby, Ontario. He served the office on District Deputy Grand Master of Hamilton Masonic District "B" in 1995-96.

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