Masons Celebrate 150 Years of Leadership, Philanthropy, and Community Service.

Business Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2000

The Masons of California and the state share a significant anniversary.

The Masonic Grand Lodge of California was founded in 1850 in Sacramento, the same year California earned its statehood. For 150 years, California Masons have contributed to the development of the state through their principles of philanthropy, community service, and leadership.

Masonry, also known as Freemasonry, is the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization whose history dates back to the middle ages and the stonemasons who formed associations in European cities.

The 49er's established Freemasonry in California during the Gold Rush and, by 1900, nearly every town of significant size had a Masonic lodge. Over the years, Masons have played a key role in the evolution of California. In all, 19 California governors and numerous state Supreme Court Justices and state legislators have been Masons. Today, the California Masons have almost 400 lodges statewide, with nearly 100,000 members.

"It is impossible to measure the numerous good works and contributions of Freemasonry in California from 1850 to 2000," said Alvin Weis, Grand Master, Masons of California. "As an organization, we are extremely proud to celebrate 150 years of commitment to community service, leadership, and philanthropy, especially for the state's youth, and look forward to continuing that legacy for many more years."

The Masonic principle of philanthropy first appeared in California shortly after the Grand Lodge was formed in 1850, during the great cholera outbreak in Sacramento. Three Masonic Lodges with a combined membership of 69 men dedicated themselves to providing relief to the cholera victims. They raised $4,500 -- a tremendous sum for the time -- to bury the dead and establish a hospital at Sutter's Fort. The group then raised an additional $32,000 to maintain the hospital.

Today, the Masons of California contribute millions of dollars annually to help those who are less fortunate. Support is given to individuals who are unaffiliated with the Masons as well as those associated with Freemasonry. Masonic charities receive no local, state or federal aid and are funded entirely through the generosity of California Masons.

The California Masonic Foundation (CMF), a charitable trust in support of education, has helped ensure a better future for thousands of students through its statewide Masonic Student Assistance Program (MSAP). The program trains teachers and other school personnel to identify and intervene with at-risk students who display symptoms of problems, such as suicide, parental abuse or neglect, substance abuse or threats of violence. The Masons pay for the participants' three-day training, transportation, and accommodations. Since its inception in 1992, MSAP has trained nearly 3,000 teachers and educators statewide and helped an estimated 10,500 at-risk students.

Each year, the CMF awards 80-100 four-year college scholarships to California high school seniors. Over the last three years, 224 students have received close to $3.3 million in scholarship monies.

The KIDS ID program, a public service of the CMF, provides free fingerprinting and photo identification for children of all ages. Since the program began in 1998, parents of more than 60,000 California children have identification cards in case their child is ever missing or kidnapped.

Over a century ago, the spirit of Masonic charity and the need to assist the families of Masons led to the creation of the Masonic Homes of California. Today, the Masonic Homes at Union City and Covina provide a program of quality living, premier health care, and progressive services for senior Masons and their wives and widows.

The Masonic Home at Covina is also recognized as operating one of the finest residential childcare programs of its kind in the U.S. It is licensed to care for children who typically have been abandoned, neglected or abused. More than 1,800 children have thrived in this caring and nurturing community, now open to all deserving children. Certified houseparents provide loving, family-centered care for several children in each of the houses.

The Masons have many affiliate organizations, each with a special social, educational and philanthropic focus. Organizations for men and women include Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, Amaranth and several others. Youth groups include DeMolay for boys and Rainbow Girls and Job's Daughters.

Freemasonry is not a religious organization and it respects the diverse beliefs of all members. Membership is open to men 21 or older who believe in a supreme being, are of good moral character and possess a strong desire to help others through community service. Masons do not recruit members; men must seek membership on their own.

For more information about the Masons and lodge locations, call the Grand Lodge at 415/776-7000 or visit the Web site at www.freemason.org.