The Benevolence Committee

The Committee of Benevolence meets on a monthly basis throughout the year to consider petitions brought to them by Almoners on behalf of Freemasons, their Widows and Dependents who are in need. Relief is provided mostly by making financial grants, but in addition grants can also be given for repairs and decorations to the home, for household appliances or for specialist mobility equipment to help enhance the quality of life of our Beneficiaries. Each petition for assistance is reviewed by the Committee and, where appropriate, submitted to The Freemasons’ Grand Charity for their consideration. As an example, in 2010, as a result of these reviews financial support was received from Grand Charity in the form of grants to our Beneficiaries amounting to £261,115 (increasing from £184,360 in 2009) this amount was further supplemented by £22,178 by the Charity.

This individual support is managed and monitored by the good offices of the case Almoner with direction and assistance from Julie Ward and Karen Hall within our own Welfare Office. The number of Beneficiaries receiving grants, to 31st December 2010, from the Charity comprised:

112 Widows, 23 Brethren 32 Married Couples, 5 Spinsters. In addition we were pleased to administer regular contact and consider the ongoing needs of 349 Widows of closed lodges and 65 Young People. During the course of 2010 the Committee considered and reviewed a total of 140 applications and made 13 new Beneficiaries of the Charity. 

The aims and work of the Committee is to react as quickly as possible in times of need and to communicate the work of the Committee into the East Lancashire Districts and Lodges with the assistance of the Provincial Almoner and the Provincial Charity Steward and their respective teams.

We are grateful to the members of the Committee who attend our meetings from all four corners of our Province for their support and to Julie and Karen in our Welfare Office who ensure that all enquiries are dealt with in an efficient and compassionate manner.

 

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