Masonic Lodge donates Christmas baskets

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Jno G. Lewis Masonic Lodge members worked to give holiday dinners to those in need.

Tuesday morning at about 10:30 a.m. members of the Jno G. Lewis Masonic Lodge prepared 17 Christmas baskets before delivering them that same morning to the families. They also gave away baskets for Thanksgiving.

Mitchell Johnson, Senior Warden, said that they work to find which families need their support and make sure each of the baskets was made to make sure there was enough food in each basket to feed the whole family. Most of the baskets were for families of four or five people. Each basket included a turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, macaroni and cheese, corn bread, and peaches.

“I really feel like when people are in need, they need to know that there are other people who care and are concerned about the needs that they have,” said Johnson. “Especially when you are blessed, it’s good to give back.”

Funds for the baskets come from the groups’ fundraising activities. They also periodically donate to a Killeen food bank to help keep them going and to help out as much as they can.

“We try to make our community better by helping people that are in need,” said Johnson. He said that, for him, helping people is one of the most important things that the Lodge does for the community.

Mark Walls Jr., who serves a role similar to President of the Lodge, said that the Jno G. Lewis Masonic Lodge was founded in the 70s and that their goal is to better their community. They do a variety of things for the community including offering college scholarships, helping churches, holding blood drives, donating to the food bank, and more. The Lodge has no religious affiliation.

He said that it’s important to help out, especially during the holidays.

“We’re supposed to help our fellow man especially during this time, regardless of what religion you have…Everyone comes together for Christmas,” said Walls Jr. He added that times are tough for a lot of people due to Covid, being laid off of work, inflation, or other issues, so the Lodge wants to do their part to help give them a good Christmas.

“The best way to make sure that people have a good Christmas is with that Christmas dinner,” said Walls Jr.